Making a Difference in Texas STEM

FIRST® is More Than Robots®. It’s about building confidence, resilience, and opportunity. Students emerge with the technical skills and real-world experiences that prepare them to become the innovators, engineers, and leaders of the future!

Education

FIRST® students are more two times likely to show gains in STEM outcomes than their peers:

STEM Interest
STEM Career Interest
STEM Knowledge
STEM Activity
STEM Identity

Positive impacts are evident for all FIRST students regardless of race, gender, income, or community type.

Findings from FIRST longitudinal study: www.firstinspires.org/impact

FIRST® alumni are more likely to declare majors in STEM compared to their peers.

81%
FIRST
Alumni
58%
Comparison
Group

Skills

FIRST students report gains in:

Communication
90%
Leadership
95%
Conflict Resolution
93%
Problem Solving
94%
Time Management
95%

Texas White Shape
FIRST Participation

Students
~31,325
Teams
3,349
Supporters
~16,000
Volunteer Hours
~500,000

Participant Demographics

pie chart illustrating racial demographic statistics
Hispanic 37%
White 31%
Asian 22%
Black 5%
Multiracial 4%
Other 1%
pie chart illustrating gender demographic statistics
Female 34%
Male 65%
Women are only 26.5% of the
STEM Workforce in Texas
35%
Free/Reduce Lunch
7% students with Disabilities, including in our FIRST Access program specifically for students with differing needs & abilities.

School Participation

Over 300
School Districts & School Systems

Over 1,150
participating Schools & Youth Organizations

49%
of teams come from
Title 1 Schools

Officially
Sanctioned
Program
UIL logo

Impact of FIRST®

As we work as a community to prepare more than 30,000 young people annually for a STEM career, FIRST in Texas aims to ensure its programs are having a lasting, positive impact on participants across all demographic groups.

2023-2024 Impact