About Us

FIRST in Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to empowering and equipping students across Texas for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Our mission is to support FIRST® Robotics teams, facilitate professional STEM activities, provide comprehensive educator training, and organize inclusive events, all with a strong emphasis on enhancing accessibility for low-income and underrepresented students in Texas.

Through our efforts, we aim to foster a transformative educational experience that enables students to develop critical skills, ignite their passion for STEM, and unlock their full potential as the next generation STEM workforce.

Mission

At FIRST in Texas, our mission is to cultivate STEM and 21st Century skills in K-12 students, fortify the pathway to STEM careers, and ignite innovation in the next generation. Through transformative educational experiences, we empower students to become confident problem solvers and leaders, ensuring equal access to opportunities for successful STEM professions. Together, we shape a future where Texas leads in scientific and technological advancements.

As an organization led by the FIRST® in Texas Board of Directors, we have a profound impact on the STEM landscape. Each year, we allocate substantial team grants, organize over 140 equitable and inclusive events throughout Texas, and offer professional training to educators in primary and secondary education. By closely collaborating with FIRST®, we strive to ignite young minds, encouraging them to become science and technology leaders through engaging mentor-based programs. Our initiatives foster well-rounded life capabilities, including self-confidence, communication, and leadership, while building essential skills in science, engineering, and technology, and inspiring innovation.

History

Since its establishment in 2010, FIRST in Texas has been unwavering in its commitment to the K-12 education sector. Our organization has successfully obtained substantial grants that provide crucial funding to teams in underserved and underrepresented areas throughout Texas. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have consistently experienced growth across all our programs. Notably, in 2023, we surpassed pre-pandemic participation figures, with over 30,000 students annually engaging in our transformative programs.

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Impact of First

As we work as a community to prepare more than 30,000 young people annually for a STEM career, FIRST in Texas aims to ensure its programs are having a lasting, positive impact on participants across all demographic groups.

Texas Impact

Financial Documentation

The most recent FIRST® in Texas financial documents are listed below:

Financial Transparency

FIRST in Texas
has maintained its Platinum Transparency status with Candid / Guidestar for the last five years!

Bylaws

The FIRST® in Texas Bylaws document may be found in its entirety here.

By Laws