FIRST IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST STUDENT ROBOTICS PROGRAM IN THE WORLD, AND THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IS A LIFE-CHANGING ROBOTICS EVENT!
More than 25 years ago, FIRST® became a game changer in the STEM world. Over the years, we’ve built an incredible culture with our K-12 FIRST® Progression of Programs that celebrates kids’ accomplishments through high-quality, inspiring, life-changing experiences, the culmination of which is our FIRST® Championship.
We hope you’ll join us next season for a celebration of space innovation and STEM inspiration, culminating with the 2019 FIRST Championship in Houston (April 17-20, 2019) and Detroit (April 24-27, 2019).
Host Committe Members
- Dean Kamen, Founder, FIRST
- Don Bossi, President, FIRST
Detroit Host Committee Co-Chairs
- Rick Snyder, Governor, State of Michigan
- Mary Barra, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors
Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Governor R. Snyder
- Patti Poppe, President and CEO, Consumers Energy
- Roger Curtis, Director, Michigan Talent and Economic Development Department
FIRST Nationals
- Andrea Mikus, Director of Events FIRST
Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Heather Crowley, Manager, Sponsorship, and Education
Subcommittees
Marketing FIRST/Detroit Experience
- Shawn Patterson - DTE Energy
Showcasing MI Talent / Universities
- Bob Nichols, Kettering University
Growing FIRST Teams
- Natalie Stewart - Switch
- Gail Alpert - FIRST in Michigan
Logistics
- Lindsay Kirchinger, Director, Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Member at Large
- David Darbyshire DASI Solutions
- Annette Norris DASI Solutions