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