About
FIRST California offers mentor-based research programs, robotics programs, and project-based hands-on STEM programs. Participants work on engineering and coding while designing, building, and programming robots for team-based and themed robotics challenges. Teams take part in programs including FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition, where they play in a themed head-to-head challenge and compete in an alliance format against other teams.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
In FIRST Tech Challenge, teams use a reusable robot platform powered by android technology and code their robots using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. In FIRST Robotics Competition, teams start with a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules for designing, building, and programming their robot. FIRST LEGO League is a guided, global robotics program with three divisions that inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills.
FIRST programs are mentor-based, project-based, and hands-on, and introduce students to engineering and coding in engaging, inclusive, and creative learning environments. Students work collaboratively to solve themed robotics challenges and are guided by FIRST Core Values. Teams also build a brand, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community, creating real-world problem-solving experiences and hands-on STEM learning.
FIRST is described as the world’s leading youth serving non-profit advancing STEM education, and FIRST has been inspiring young people for 36 years. The 2025–2026 robotics season theme is FIRST AGE presented by Qualcomm, inspired by archaeology. FIRST California has top California sponsors and uses social media hashtags including #FIRSTinCA, #FIRSTINSPIRES, and #OMGROBOTS.
According to one description of the program experience, “The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave with a vision, with confidence and with a sense that they can create their own future.” The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, as well as well rounded contributors to society, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based, research and robotics programs.
Last updated June 30, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
In FIRST Tech Challenge, teams use a reusable robot platform powered by android technology and code their robots using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. In FIRST Robotics Competition, teams start with a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules for designing, building, and programming their robot. FIRST LEGO League is a guided, global robotics program with three divisions that inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills.
FIRST programs are mentor-based, project-based, and hands-on, and introduce students to engineering and coding in engaging, inclusive, and creative learning environments. Students work collaboratively to solve themed robotics challenges and are guided by FIRST Core Values. Teams also build a brand, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community, creating real-world problem-solving experiences and hands-on STEM learning.
FIRST is described as the world’s leading youth serving non-profit advancing STEM education, and FIRST has been inspiring young people for 36 years. The 2025–2026 robotics season theme is FIRST AGE presented by Qualcomm, inspired by archaeology. FIRST California has top California sponsors and uses social media hashtags including #FIRSTinCA, #FIRSTINSPIRES, and #OMGROBOTS.
According to one description of the program experience, “The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave with a vision, with confidence and with a sense that they can create their own future.” The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, as well as well rounded contributors to society, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based, research and robotics programs.
Last updated June 30, 2026.
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