FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the world’s preeminent robotics competition. Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen and MIT professor Woodie Flowers, the mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs to build STEM skills that inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. FIRST strives to create a competitive environment while maintaining respect for others, fostered in FIRST by their trademarked “Gracious Professionalism” and “CoopertitionⓇ.” FIRST emphasizes that the robot is only a fraction of the game, awarding students for not only their excellence in design, but their demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism, maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles.
Trivium Robotics has the mission of engaging students in STEM and business oriented activities to prepare them for real-world scenarios. We here at Trivium Robotics recognize that Trivium Preparatory Academy does not have a strong focus on STEM elements. Because of this, we aim to offer students an opportunity to learn these elements through teaching them how to effectively model, engineer, and program a robot to be used in the annual FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST LEGO League competitions. In addition to this, we also develop students’ business abilities, including fundraising, advertisement, management, and much more. Trivium Robotics fully embraces the FIRST beliefs of “Gracious Professionalism” and “CoopertitionⓇ,” and we seek to guide students in understanding and implementing these beliefs in their own life.