FIRST enhances your current education. You will learn how to apply the skills you are learning in school to real world applications. This is a chance to be creative and work with others to build a robot.

Yes! FIRST is much more than just designing and building a robot. The team needs students who can design a logo and press materials, create computer graphics, fundraise, photograph the team, create videos, handle public speaking engagements, and document team progress. Virtually any student can play a key role on a FIRST team.

Sorry, but you don't get paid for this. There are still opportunities to earn money through college scholarships. Over $12 million in scholarships from over 133 sources are available to FIRST participating students. Click here for more information.

It depends on the school but it will most likely be an extracurricular activity.

There are just so many! On the technical side you can learn such things as programming, electronics, welding, machining, graphics, creating a website, writing, budget management, public speaking, etc.

Interpersonal skills, leadership skills, cooperation, and Gracious Professionalism are things that are learned over the course of the season.

You can get to meet all sorts of new people. You'll make new friends at school. You'll get to meet new people from the community as they come to help mentor your team. You'll get to meet people from all over the country and beyond at the regionals and through online discussions as well.

Talk directly to the school Principal. He or she is one that can make things happen. Some teams are also formed from community organizations (such as the Girl Scouts) or homeschools. These organizations, as well as some school teams, might just be willing to accept outsiders.

FIRST opens up many opportunities for students after high school. Dozens of colleges offer scholarships for students who have participated on a FIRST Robotics team. Sometimes, these can lead to mentorship and career opportunities as well!

Parent involvement is always encouraged. Ask the team advisor if they need assistance in thing such as food, planning, chaperoning, transportation, etc.

FIRST hosts 3 other robotics competitions, FIRST LEGO League (FLL), Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL), and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). The LEGO competitions are for elementary to middle school students while the Tech Challenge is a low-cost alternative for high school students.

KIPR (Kiss Institiute for Practical Robotics) hosts Botball, a LEGO based competition for middle and high school students.

MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) hosts a very unique type of robotics competition. These robots operate underwater and are controlled by human operators above the water.

By starting a FIRST team, a high school can literally change the lives of hundreds of students. FIRST robotics competitions help students get excited about science and technology, inspiring many to pursue careers in those fields.

Add to that the relationships FIRST team members establish with their mentors and the challenge and fun of building a robot, and you have a recipe for learning that is unlike any other out there.

You will most likely need the support of the school administration and the school Principal. Talk to the Principal about what FIRST is and and direct him or her to the FIRST Website for more information. You will also need to find someone knowledgeable about electronics, programming, and building things (if that isn't already you).

You will need at least 1 teacher to act as the team's chief advisor, but don't stop there. Get as many teachers involved as you can.

The entry fee for an initial regional is $5000 for those who competed last year and $5500 for those who haven't. At some regionals, rookie teams can apply for a grant to cover this expense. Each additional regional is $4000 and participation in the World Championship is $5000.

Click here for a list of volunteering opportunities.

FIRST offers their Volunteer Information Management System site to allow people to volunteer with many opportunities available. Click here to get registered.

Click here for a list of schools in my area that are participating in FIRST.

VEX stimulates your mind and expands upon your education. You gain hands-on experience by applying the skills you learned in school to real-world applications, especially from subjects such as physics and math. You also learn about areas rich with career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This is a chance to be creative and work with others to build a robot completely of your own design.

Almost anyone, really. VEX is open to middle school students, high school students, and university labs. All you need is to be in a school with a robotics team.

Yes! VEX is completely student-orientated and is much more than just designing and building a robot. The team needs students who can work well with others, keep track of designs and design changes, think innovatively, work with their hands, and manage time wisely. Virtually any student can play a key role on a VEX team if he or she is dedicated enough.