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. We share 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: firstinspires.org.
The FIRST Western & Central Pennsylvania region includes 41 counties from the west of the Susquehanna River to the Ohio Border. While regional teams may compete at any regional location, the teams in this region are locally served by The Greater Pittsburgh Regional as their local FIRST Robotics Competition. Since 2014, the regional event has been held at the Convocation Center at California University of PA.
Pennsylvania is unique as it is the only state that has FIRST Robotics Competition teams as a part of either a regional or district model of competition. The FIRST Mid-Atlantic District includes 26 counties from east of the Susquehanna River to the Pennsylvania border, Delaware, and New Jersey.