The following key messages should be referred to in all communications to the media so that FIRST messages stay clear, concise, and consistent.

*May be shared with members of the FIRST community (e.g. volunteers, sponsors) as a guide
to representing FIRST to the general public. Not to be published.
__________________________________________________ ____________________

CORE GOALS

FIRST’s goal is to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.
· Society celebrates achievement in sports and entertainment, yet we do not celebrate achievement in science and technology.
· Societies get what they celebrate. Our society needs to celebrate science and technology.
· FIRST will create excitement, challenge, and fun in science and technology for over 150,000 young people in 2007/2008.
· FIRST celebrates scientists and engineers as heroes.
· FIRST seeks to make being smart “cool.”

Young people’s interest and participation in science and technology will help them succeed in life and will help our society.
· There are great opportunities for young people to build successful careers in science and technology.
· Many of society’s key problems will be solved with science and technology (e.g. water, access to electric power, medical, etc.).
· Conversely, the chances of becoming a sports hero are small; only about 500 jobs for players in the NBA.

SPORTS MODEL STRATEGY

FIRST brings the excitement of a sporting event to science and technology via robotics competitions.
· 1,507 teams of high-school students will compete in the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition. 41 Regional events.
· 800 teams of high-school-aged young people are expected to compete in the 2007 FIRST Tech Challenge.
· 10,000 teams of middle-school students, ages 9-14, are expected to participate in FIRST LEGOâ League in 2007. Championship tournaments and qualifying events worldwide.
· FIRST also offers the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds.
· FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.
· The competitions are intense, exciting, and fun.




FIRST rewards “Gracious Professionalism.” Winning a FIRST competition requires more than winning a traditional sports competition.
· Gracious Professionalism encourages doing high-quality, well-informed work in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued.
· Teams don’t win at another team’s expense.
· Teams are dependent upon each other, so they help each other.
· Teams are judged not on the final score but on overall performance, including problem solving, innovation, teamwork, community engagement, and fostering greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology. FIRST’s most prestigious awards are:
o The FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman’s Award
o The FIRST LEGO League Champion’s Award
o The FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award


SPONSORSHIP

FIRST is supported by a strong network of national corporations, educational institutions, and professional institutions.
· Some of the world’s most respected companies provide funding, mentorship time and talent, volunteerism, and equipment to make FIRST a reality.
· Corporate Sponsors include Autodesk, BAE Systems, Boston Scientific Corporation, Baxter International Inc., Daimler Chrysler Corporation Fund, Delphi Automotive Systems, FedEx, General Motors Corporation, Innovation First, Intelitek, Johnson & Johnson, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, The LEGO Group, Microchip, Motorola, Inc., National Instruments, Rockwell Automation, 3M, Underwriters Laboratories, and Xerox Corporation.
· Education and government sponsors include NASA and MIT.

FIRST corporate sponsorship builds deep, lasting partnerships.
· Corporate involvement in FIRST goes well beyond grant dollars to include widespread employee involvement and volunteerism, internships for students, employment opportunities, and student/mentor relationships.
· Sponsor companies host FIRST competitions.


MENTORSHIP

FIRST creates powerful mentorship relationships between kids and professional engineers.
· FIRST teams include engineers from some of the world’s most respected companies.
· Students work closely with, and learn from, these “stars” of the engineering world.
· Meaningful involvement of adults in the lives of young people is an essential component for developing young people’s potential.


VOLUNTEERISM

FIRST is a volunteer-driven and -operated organization.
· FIRST teams, competitions, and events are organized and operated by volunteers, including employees of corporate sponsors, teachers, parents, community leaders, FIRST alumni, and friends.


EDUCATION/CAREER PATH

FIRST provides an education and career path for young people with an interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
· There are over $9.5 million in scholarship funds available to eligible FIRST students.
· FIRST scholarship offerings are from the finest science and engineering schools.
· Two thirds of FIRST students have indicated an interest in working for a team sponsor in summer internships or full-time employment.


IMPACT

FIRST is working; according to an independent study by Brandeis University, funded by the Ford Foundation.
· Brandeis conducted an independent, retrospective study of FIRST participants and compared results to a comparison group of non-FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, including math and science. Results showed FIRST students are:
o More than three times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
o Roughly ten times as likely to have had an apprenticeship or co-op job in freshman year.
o More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a science or technology career.
o Nearly four times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.