FIRST LEGO League: A snapshot
FIRST—For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology—was founded in 1989 by physicist Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest in science and technology. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST is a nonprofit supported by a network of sponsors and volunteers.
photo©DIANE RONAYNE
The initial FIRST competition took place in 1992, when 28 robot- building teams competed in a New Hampshire high-school gym.
In 2005, more than 150,000 kids took par t in the FIRST LEGO League championship in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. Idaho began participating in January 2008, when University of Idaho Extension 4-H brought a FIRST LEGO League competition to Idaho.
Idaho's 34 teams are among 1,500 competing in 41 regional 2008 competitions.
FIRST organizes:
 FIRST Robotics competitions for high-school students
FIRST LEGO League for 9- to 14-year-olds
Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6- to 9-year-olds
Learn more at www.usfirst.org.
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