TEAM 2137TEAM 2137

Team Handbook

About FIRST®

What is FIRST®

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a mission-driven global robotics community that prepares young people for the future and inspires today's kids to build tomorrow's leaders.

FIRST® Core Values

As a team and as individuals, every member of TEAM 2137 is expected to strive to embody the values of FIRST. The FIRST Core Values emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement — and are part of our commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The FIRST Community expresses the philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through its Core Values:

  • Discovery — We explore new skills and ideas.
  • Innovation — We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
  • Impact — We apply what we learn to improve our world.
  • Inclusion — We respect each other and embrace our differences.
  • Teamwork — We are stronger when we work together.
  • Fun — We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Gracious Professionalism®

Dr. Woodie Flowers (1943–2019), EAB Chair Emeritus & Distinguished Advisor, coined the term Gracious Professionalism. It is part of the ethos of FIRST: a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete hard but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers — no chest-thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended. In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life: you can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you acted with integrity and sensitivity.

Coopertition®

Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. It is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.

Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from mentors. And it is managing — and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can. Coopertition produces innovation.

FIRST Programs

FIRST offers several competition programs for different ages:

FLL Discover — FLL Discover gives early elementary school students and their adult coaches the opportunity to work and create together while they explore science and technology concepts.
FLL Explore — FLL Explore ignites students’ natural curiosity and builds their habits of learning with hands-on activities in the classroom and at home.
FLL Challenge — FLL Challenge creates a world where students meet science and technology and want more. Where obstacles and challenges are eagerly met. Where gaining confidence and life skills are by-products of a good time.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) — The premier middle school sport where teams of students, guided by mentors, design and build 18”X18” robots to battle in a FIRST designed game in a contest of ingenuity and innovation.
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) — The ultimate varsity sport: teams of high school students and their industry mentors design and build large-scale robots to battle in fierce 3-vs-3 competitions.

Learn more: https://www.firstinspires.org