FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting Mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

–FIRST® website (www.firstinspires.org)

Warren City Schools

Warren City Schools is a mid-sized urban school district in Ohio. It has a population of more than 4,600 students. All 5 of our schools receive free lunch based on the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision where, because of Warren’s high poverty rate, every student is served free breakfast and lunch. All 5 of our schools are also Title I school-wide project schools for the same reason.

Middle School Teams

The Warren Robotics Boosters support 4 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams in Warren City Schools as of January 1, 2024. FIRST LEGO League is a program for students 9-16 years old. Middle school basically. Each team may have up to 10 students officially. Their season officially begins August 1st. Each team competes in 1 regional tournament between October and January. If they qualify, they may advance to the District and State tournaments and may even advance to the FIRST World Championship in mid April. 

• Jefferson PK-8 School, "Jefferson Prime", team 49229

  • Founded in 2019

  • Coach: Montia West, Daryl Williams, Kristine Hunchuck

  • 7 students, (6) 86% minority, (3) 43% female

• Lincoln PK-8 School, "Lincoln Leaders", team 58313

  • Founded in 2022

  • Coach: Erikka Sampson

  • 11 students, (4) 36% non-white, (5) 45% female

• McGuffey PK-8 School, "Titonics", team 36408

  • Founded in 2017

  • Coach: Amanda Colbert & Alisha Alls

  • 7 students, (6) 86% non-white, (2) 29% female

• Willard PK-8 School, "Willard Kids LEGO Masters", team 49315

  • Founded in 2019

  • Coach: Jasen Gregory

  • 9 students, (6) 67% non-white, (6) 67% female

High School Team

The Warren Robotics Boosters support 1 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team in Warren City Schools as of January 1, 2024. FIRST Robotics Competition is a program for high school students. Their official season begins in January and ends mid April. 

• Warren G. Harding High School, "Team E.L.I.T.E." (Encouraging Learning in Technology and Engineering), team 48

  • Founded in 1998

  • Head Coach: Frank Bosak

  • 42 students, 34% minority, 50% female

  • Team E.L.I.T.E. has an open door policy for students. We don’t hold try-outs and don’t consider prior robotics experience. The only barrier to entry is being a team player. Our team has students from all walks of life. It’s made up of various races. Some of our families have many resources and other families have fewer resources. Many times on the team, the girls do more technical jobs than the boys. We’ve got students that consistently have straight As and those who are struggling to achieve our GPA and grade requirements. We have a wide range of neurodiversity. This isn’t just a club for those that are mechanically minded, but also a club for those who are creative and artistic. It’s for those that are quiet and those that like to be the center of attention. In the end, all of those individuals make up a great team.

  • Our team travels to 3 regional competitions each year in March and April in hopes of advancing to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX in mid April. 

  • Annual Budget

    • $75,000 (+30,000 if we qualify for FIRST World Championship)

    • Most of this comes from Warren City Schools

    • The rest comes from sponsorship and fundraising

    • It costs roughly $1000 per student to run our program

    • Students aren’t charged anything to participate in official season activities. They’re only responsible for food and additional costs on trips

  • We have roughly 20 adult mentors. 8 school employees, 8 industry professionals, a few parents, a few retired teachers, and a few community members. 10 of our adults are team alumni.

  • FIRST encourages teams to work with industry professionals to mentor the students in engineering, business, marketing, communications, and more.