FIRST Youth Robotics Programs

FIRST Youth Robotics Programs includes FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST LEGO League guides elementary and middle school students through STEM learning and exploration. FIRST Tech Challenge engages middle and high school students in robot design, coding, and competition, and FIRST Robotics Competition has high school students engineer industrial-sized robots for large-scale competition.

Programs

• FIRST LEGO League — Grades K-8 | Ages 5-16 · Guides elementary and middle school students through STEM learning and exploration at an early age.
• FIRST Tech Challenge — Grades 7-12 | Ages 12-18 · Engages middle and high school students in robot design, coding, and competition.
• FIRST Robotics Competition — Grades 9-12 | Ages 14-18 · Empowers high school students to engineer industrial-sized robots for large-scale competition.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old

About the provider

FIRST is a not-for-profit organization that has operated for more than three decades. It describes itself as the world’s leading youth robotics community and says its programs use hands-on STEM learning. FIRST also says its robotics teams are part of a global network of young innovators, and that the program is welcoming, inspiring, and empowering across all ages and learning needs.

Children can join any of the three programs based on age or grade level. Ages may vary by region. FIRST believes STEM is for everyone and designed its robotics program to be welcoming, inspiring, and empowering across all ages and learning needs.

Last updated August 26, 2026.