Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. in Londonderry, NH, met with two teams from FIRST to see their home-built robots in action.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) consists of elementary, middle and high-school age young people whose mission is to “… inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting Mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.”

Founded in 1989 by the inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway personal transport device), FIRST is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.

The participating teams were FIRST Robotics Competition Team 238, “The Crusaders,” from Manchester Memorial High School, and FIRST Tech Challenge Team 9620 “R.O.U.S.” (Robots of Unusual Size) from Greater Concord NH. After each team demonstrated its robot overcoming a series of challenging obstacles, the teams presented Bosch Thermotechnology Regional President Vitor Gregorio with a plaque commemorating Bosch’s support for the FIRST program.

For more information about FIRST visit www.firstinspires.org.