FIRST has multiple ways to participate they are outlined in brief below.

FIRST Robotics Competition

“The varsity sport for the mind,” FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, high school teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,.” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It's as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.  Each year FIRST develops the competition by supplying an objective to teams of students, who have six weeks to conceptualize, design, build, and test their robotic solution. Each year the objective is different; details are kept secret until early January, when it is simultaneously revealed to all teams during the Kick-Off workshop held in New Hampshire. Once the six weeks have passed, robots are transported to the competition site where teams will compete in March.

FIRST Tech Challenge

FTC is designed for those who want to compete head-to-head, using a sports model. Teams of up to 10 students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.

FIRST Lego League

FLL introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

For more information about ways to participate visit firstinspires.org