Approximately 25 high school students make up each FIRST team, which has six weeks to design and build a robot to perform a prescribed series of tasks. In contrast, FLL teams are comprised of 10 children, grades 4-8 (age 9-14 in the US and Canada) with one adult coach. Teams participate in a challenge by programming an autonomous robot to score points on a themed playing field, developing a solution to a problem they have identified, all guided by the FLL Core Values. Past Challenges have been based on topics such as biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, climate, quality of life for the handicapped population and transportation.

About FIRST  

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $15 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the US and Canada) and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About The Chrysler Foundation
A founding sponsor of the FIRST Robotics competition, The Chrysler Foundation has established a proud legacy of enriching the physical, educational and cultural needs of local communities in which Chrysler Group LLC conducts business. Since its inception in 1953, the Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in charitable grants. For more information, visit TheChryslerFoundation.com.

SOURCE The Chrysler Foundation

Contact:

The Chrysler Foundation FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) The Chrysler Foundation Kevin Frazier Phone: +1-248-512-2678 (office) Phone: +1-248-821-8507 (cell) Email Contact Shawn Morgan Phone: +1-248-512-2692 (office) Phone: +1-248-760-2621 (cell) Email Contact