History
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a worldwide robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programs.
FIRST in Alberta has a long history as our very first forays into STEM Education with robots began with Craig Maynard, a SAIT Mechanical Engineering instructor, starting the first FIRST LEGO League event in Alberta in 2003.
In 2004 Alberta’s first FIRST Robotics Competition teams were started at Bishop Grandin and Queen Elizabeth High Schools in Calgary. Those teams competed in Toronto for many years until 2013 when FIRST Robotics Competition came to Alberta where we were able to host our own Regional event at the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary.
In 2007 FIRST Tech Challenge started in Edmonton with a heavy push from the Francophone school district (Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord) there to use it for STEM education.
Incorporation and Charitable Organization Status
The FIRST Robotics Society was incorporated in 2013. FIRST Robotics Society (also referred as FIRST Alberta) is the official FIRST Program Delivery Organization dedicated to promoting and supporting FIRST programs at all levels throughout Alberta. Since our inception, we are providing support, host events, competitions and championships for our local FIRST teams.
Incorporation No. 501-790-5638.
Charitable Organization Status
Registered Charitable Organization Registration No. 80348 1639 RR0001.