FIRST remains committed to continuing our efforts to give students the skills and confidence they need to change the world – today and tomorrow. Learn about opportunities for online learning/skills development, FIRST supported activities, and a place to stay connected to the FIRST community during this global pandemic.
As a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, FIRST® is committed to continuing our efforts to give students the skills and confidence they need to change the world – today and tomorrow.
FIRST Robotics Competition Around the World
February 26, 2024
FIRST® Robotics Competition: Greater Pittsburgh Regional, February 29 – March 2, 2024
Imagine a cross between a rock concert, pep rally, and science fair all rolled into a tournament-style contest with six remote-controlled and human driven robots zooming across a basketball size arena to gather and score elements. 50 high school teams will compete from the Western and Central Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Illinois, as well as an international team from Canada. Many of these teams have been world champions or are Hall of Fame teams. Given the nature of the competition as a true sport, cheering, noise, dancing, and pure fun is experienced by all.
Pittsburgh is the professional robotics capital of the world. Now it is time to show what high school students in the area can do in this high paced, high scoring, exciting competition.
On Thursday, February 29TH through Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, FIRST® Robotics of Western and Central PA will conduct the 22nd annual FIRST® Robotics Competition Greater Pittsburgh Regional at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Event Website: https://firstwcpa.org/2024-greater-pittsburgh-regional/.
The competition is 3 full days. We especially welcome sponsors and the media to attend on Saturday, March 2nd. The intense action that is both FUN and EXCITING for teams and visitors alike is Friday, March 1st and Saturday, March 2nd. All FIRST events are free and open to the public.
“The Gene Haas Foundation is proud to return as the 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition program presenting sponsor,” said Kathy Looman, the Gene Haas Foundation’s Director of Education. “FIRST helps create an environment for all young people to build technical and life skills, compassion, integrity, Coopertition ®, all while having fun. From musical instruments to motorsports, we need the same skills and machining technology to design and create cutting edge art.”
CRESCENDO presented by Haas is part of the 2024 FIRST IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm season. In CRESCENDO, teams are encouraged to see all that is possible, when combining their creative ideas and innovations with engineering and design. Through collaboration and communication, participants around the world will celebrate the role that the arts play in STEAM. Students will learn that our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us and move us.
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams unlock the power of engineering to transform renewable energy and to power a better future. Robots of up to 125 pounds each will battle it out in an arena that is 26 x 54 feet in size. The robots are designed and built by students grades 9-12 (ages 14-18) under the tutelage of dedicated volunteer adult mentors and coaches. It is a technically diverse but decidedly sports themed game. The game requires great strategy, both offense and defense.
Besides the robot build, which requires electrical, mechanical and programming skills, student teams are also challenged with meeting specific criteria that encourage team-work, leadership, networking and communication skills as well as Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®. These are concepts unique to FIRST programs that exemplify doing things that encourage high quality work, emphasize the value of others, and respect for individuals and the community while also displaying respect in the face of fierce competition. Please see the CHARGED UP℠
Game Animation link:
2024 FIRST Robotics Competition CRESCENDO presented by Haas Game Animation
Short Video: This isn’t a robot
The Greater Pittsburgh Regional is locally and proudly sponsored by The Sports & Exhibition Authority, Heinz Endowments, Carnegie Mellon University, Highmark Health, The Richard King Mellon Foundation, and PNC Bank.
For more information please contact:
Daphne Frownfelter
Phone: 610-401-4310 (mobile)
dfrownfelter@firstinspires.org
About FIRST®:
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest in science and technology. As a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, FIRST is the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. For 30 years, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning with the fun and excitement of traditional sports and the inspiration that comes from community through programs that have a proven impact on learning, interest, and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom. FIRST provides programs that span a variety of age groups:
• FIRST® Robotics Competition for grades 9-12, ages 14-18
• FIRST® Tech Challenge for grades 7-12, ages 12-18
• FIRST® LEGO® League for grades Pre-K-8, ages 4-16
• FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge for grades 4-8 (ages 9-16, ages vary by country)
• FIRST® LEGO® League Explore for grades 2-4 (ages 6-10)
• FIRST® LEGO® League Discover for grades Pre-K-1 (ages 4-6)
Please visit the FIRST website for more information about FIRST and its programs
https://www.firstinspires.org/
Special note: Hosting the event in Pittsburgh is expected to bring 2,300 people to the convention center and generate 1,500 room nights and nearly $1.6 million in tourism revenue for the city based on accommodation, dining, and entertainment needs of the attendees.
Quoting Daphne Frownfelter:
“I’m proud to be a part of the greater Pittsburgh region. The students, families, and business community have come together to support the local FIRST programs in a way that will benefit all of us,” said Daphne Frownfelter, Regional Director Pennsylvania, and Chief State Advocate of FIRST. “I want to thank our local community organizations for their support.”
About FIRST Robotics of Western & Central PA
FIRST Western & Central Pennsylvania operates under the umbrella of FIRST (For Inspiration
and Recognition of Science and Technology), a 501(c)(3) public charity located in Manchester,
NH. The regional organization shares the mission of FIRST: “To inspire young people to be
science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build
science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded
life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” More about FIRST
may be found at: www.firstinspires.org