Volunteer with FIRST in Texas
Join a global robotics community preparing young people for the future.
No technical experience required!
Volunteers are the heart of FIRST in Texas. Corporate employees, educators, parents, retirees, and college students come together to power every event. Whether you can give a few hours or support throughout the season, no technical experience is required!
Make a Real Impact – Help students build confidence, teamwork, and a passion for STEM.
Join a Vibrant Community – With cheering crowds and fast-paced matches, a FIRST event is a varsity sport for the mind. It’s loud, inspiring, and unforgettable.
Gain New Skills – Receive training, build leadership skills, and connect with passionate mentors and STEM supporters across Texas.
5 Steps to Volunteering
5 Steps to Volunteering
Ready to volunteer with FIRST in Texas? We break it down in an easy 5 step process to get you started today!
Your first step is to create an account in the FIRST Dashboard. After registering your account, FIRST will send you a verification email with a link to log-in.
Once you have an account, click the Volunteer Registration tab in the FIRST Dashboard and choose ‘Event Volunteering’.
On the left, you can filter events by program, location, and date. Click Apply Filters.
Once you select an event in the FIRST Dashboard, you will be prompted to Select a Role.
New to volunteering? We recommend starting as a Judge. Don't worry, all volunteers are provided training ahead of the event!
Interested in other roles? Click on the icon next to each role or click below to explore all FIRST volunteer roles.
Click 'Next.' You will be prompted to add your team affiliation if applicable. Click 'Complete' when done.
FIRST® is dedicated to creating safe, welcoming, and inspiring spaces where all students can thrive. All volunteers must complete a Youth Protection Screening and Training to volunteer at an event.
1: Submit Free Background Screening
May take up to 10 days for processing
If your "Begin Youth Protection Screening" button is Blue/Clickable, please click on the button to begin the Youth Protection Program process. All adults over 18 will also need to complete the free and easy youth protection background screening (U.S. & Canada). Note that this can take 5 - 10 business days to process.
Alternatively, go to your FIRST® Dashboard, click your name in the top-right corner, and select “Youth Protection Screening” from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the blue “Go to Screening Partner” button. You will be brought to the screening partner’s portal.
- Create your account using the same email address that you used to create your FIRST account.
- Answer the questions to complete the background screening.
2: Complete Youth Protection Training (60 minutes)
This introductory training is intended to create an aligned onboarding experience for all event volunteers, ensuring they are familiar with FIRST and understand youth protection requirements. The Volunteer Ready training path consists of two trainings: Welcome to FIRST and Youth Protection Training. This training path contains about 60 minutes of content.
You are almost there!
Sign FIRST Consent & Release Form
Volunteers should sign the FIRST Consent & Release Form each season. Volunteers will see a notification if they haven’t yet completed the form and can access via the profile drop down menu in the Volunteer Dashboard.
Sign FIRST Consent & Release Form
You will receive an email from your local event coordinator once your registration is complete and you are assigned to a volunteer role. If your role requires online training, you will be automatically enrolled into the training upon application or assignment into the role. A “Roles Missing Certification” section will appear on your Volunteer Dashboard.
Click on “Review Outstanding Tasks" to get to the FIRST Training Site.
What to Expect Next
You will receive an email from your local event coordinator if you are assigned to a volunteer role. The event coordinator will also provide information on:
- Notice of any required training
- Event schedule
- Directions and Parking
- Other event details
On the day of your event:
- Check in the morning of your event for additional information about your role and expectations
- Dress in comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes
- Get ready to have fun!
What is FIRST?
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the global leader in youth robotics education. FIRST in Texas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and delivery partner of FIRST, brings these programs to students across the state. We aim to build a culture where science and technology are celebrated, and students dream of becoming the next generation of STEM innovators.
Each year, we engage more than 23,000 K–12 students across 560+ schools and youth organizations, supported by an incredible community of educators, industry mentors, and volunteers. We host 160+ robotics competitions annually, creating hands-on, real-world STEM learning experiences for students across Texas.
Do I need to know about the program to sign up?
Not at all. Volunteers do not need any robotics or engineering experience. Many judged awards highlight teamwork, research, innovation, or outreach—areas where volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds excel. Some of our best judges come from completely non-technical fields.
What am I expected to do?
Most new volunteers start as Judges, a role that’s fun, team-oriented, and perfect for beginners. You’ll complete a short online training ahead of the event, and an experienced Judge Advisor will guide you throughout the day. Judges work in small groups to interview teams, watch matches, and help recognize students for their innovation, teamwork, and robot design during a high-energy event. Plus, free food is provided at most events! Read below for the 5 steps to get started today.
7,655
Event Volunteers
4,616
Mentors & Coaches
2,308
Teams
23,275
Students
