COVID-19 interrupted student learning. Now hands-on education is more important than ever to engage young people in STEM through team-based, project-based learning. We share ways to grow or reinvigorate evidence-based FIRST robotics programs where funding opportunities are available.
How to Reengage Students by Reinvigorating Your FIRST Program
Oct 05, 2021 By Libby Simpson, Director of Education, and Vinnie Rodino, Director of School EngagementSoftware Positions in FRC Engineering
Oct 04, 2021 Written by Matt Pilotte, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Electrical Engineering ManagerThe FIRST Robotics Competition team is hiring, and we are looking for TWO highly motivated individuals to join us on the Engineering team working on software development!
The translated documentation on this page is provided as a reference for teams. Accuracy of the translation is not verified by FIRST. Please note that the official and current version written in English is available on our Game and Season Materials page.
Arabic
Chinese
Game Manual Part 1 - Traditional
Game Manual Part 2 - Traditional
French
Romanian
Game Manual Part 1 - Traditional
Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program Opens for Nominations
Sep 29, 2021 By Libby Simpson, FIRST Director of Education
The FIRST community is full of dedicated, inspirational teachers. “Recognition” is not only part of our name but core to our ethos; that’s why we've introduced the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program. FIRST Education Director Libby Simpson shares how you can nominate an educator.
To help you with your innovation process, we’ve cataloged our past work with Strategic Partners, sponsors, and other innovation leaders to share helpful innovation and intellectual property tips and resources.
FIRST teams working on innovations or product designs may find these archived webinar episodes from the FIRST Innovation Challenge presented by Qualcomm helpful. FIRST hosted an expert educational series featuring conversations with innovators.
Design, Innovation Process, Product Development
- User Experience: Get to know your User
- Product Design: Form meets Function
- PTC Onshape: Sketch to Model
- Systems Design: Innovating for the Future
Business Models
Innovation Careers and Real-World Innovation Examples
Innovation Tips - from FIRST Teams and Professionals
- Great for the beginning of your innovation journey; check out these tips on innovating from real-world engineers at BAE Systems. Click here for the playlist
- Read the Innovation tips blog post from our FIRST LEGO League Innovation Ambassadors.
Entrepreneurship and Business Models
- A business model canvas is not required for the Global Innovation Award, but using this tool for any product development is a valuable step, especially as you consider implementation factors for your product. Here is a short video describing the business model canvas as a tool.
- The MARS Discovery District in Ontario has lots of information about entrepreneurship that could be valuable to innovative teams thinking about making their inventions a reality, like Business Model Design, How to Build a Great Pitch, and more.
- Business Models Inc. is an inspiring source of learning about Business Models and have a wealth of business design tools online.
Intellectual Property Education and Resources
Intellectual Property (IP) is an important part of inventing. The World Intellectual Property Organization has a helpful guide to start your learning called: What is Intellectual Property? Additionally, FIRST works with the United States Patent and Trademark Office of Education and Outreach, who have put together this educational video for all FIRST teams, as well as the resources below.
- We encourage teams to learn more about the patent process in your country and to seek help from a patent attorney or patent agent. Many may be willing to donate their services if you explain your team history and goals. A great place to start is with this webinar from Spring 2021 featuring the USPTO: Tips on Navigating the U.S. Patent Process.
- Lenses of Invention with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
General Intellectual Property Resources:
From the USPTO:
- Patent Resources:
- Video: Roadmap to Filing a Patent Application
- USPTO patent search help
- USPTO Kids Pages
- Basic Questions? Contact the USPTO Inventor Assistance Center (IAC). The USPTO has a hotline that inventors can call; it does not provide legal advice but can answer questions on rules and applications.
- Filing a Provisional Patent (recommended for all FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award Semi-Finalists)
- Pro-Se Assistance Program The Pro Se Assistance Program provides outreach and education to applicants (also known as "pro se" applicants) who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent. USPTO employees cannot give legal advice. However, through increased assistance and resources for independent inventor and small business communities, the program aims to increase the quality of pro se applications and assist pro se applicants with making informed decisions regarding their patent applications.
- Finding free or reduced fee legal assistance with patent filing in the United States:
- Meet with a librarian (in-person or virtually) at a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). PTRC locations by state.
- USPTO Pro-Bono program - Inventors and small businesses that meet certain financial thresholds and other criteria may be eligible for free legal assistance in preparing and filing a patent application. Pro Bono coverage map for US.
- USPTO Law School Clinics – The Law School Clinic Certification program allows law students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic program to practice Intellectual Property Law before the USPTO under the strict guidance of a Law School Faculty Clinic Supervisor.
2022 Beta Testing
Sep 24, 2021 Written by Kevin O'Connor, Senior Robotics Engineer, FIRST Robotics CompetitionAs all of you start gearing up for the 2022 season, the Control System Team is gearing up too! With the new REV Robotics control system devices and the roboRIO 2.0 both debuting this season, WPILib will have a few more breaking changes than a typical season.
A Potpourri of 2022 Season Information
Sep 21, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics CompetitionPlease be sure to read this recent Inspire blog by Chris Rake, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for FIRST.
The 2022 FIRST Scholarship Program is LIVE
Sep 18, 2021 Written by FIRST StaffBe sure to check out all of the opportunities at firstinspires.org/scholarships!
Scholarship Program
Sep 17, 2021 Written by Michelle Long, FIRST Director of Alumni RelationsMichelle Long from FIRST HQ here! In my role as Director of Alumni Relations, I get to work with folks like Frank and the FIRST Robotics Competition team to help make sure that FIRST is about more than just your time on a team.