1 Introduction

1.1 About FIRST®

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest in science and technology. As a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, FIRST is the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. For 30 years, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning with the fun and excitement of traditional sports and the inspiration that comes from community through programs that have a proven impact on learning, interest, and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom. FIRST provides programs that span a variety of age groups:

• FIRST® Robotics Competition for grades 9-12, ages 14-18
• FIRST® Tech Challenge for grades 7-12, ages 12-18
• FIRST® LEGO® League for grades Pre-K-8, ages 4-16
  • o FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge for grades 4-8 (ages 9-16, ages vary by country)
  • o FIRST® LEGO® League Explore for grades 2-4 (ages 6-10)
  • o FIRST® LEGO® League Discover for grades Pre-K-1 (ages 4-6)

Please visit the FIRST website for more information about FIRST and its programs.

1.2 In Memoriam

In October 2019, Dr. Woodie Flowers, an innovator in design and engineering education and a Distinguished Advisor to FIRST and supporter of our mission, passed away. As thousands of heartfelt tributes to Woodie have poured in from around the world, it is clear his legacy will live on indefinitely through the gracious nature of our community and our ongoing commitment to empowering educators and building global citizens.

1.3 FIRST® Robotics Competition

FIRST® Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Teams of

are challenged to design, build, and program industrial-size and compete for awards, while they also create a team identity, raise funds, hone teamwork skills, and advance respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a

can get. Plus, high school gain access to exclusive scholarship opportunities from colleges, universities, and technical programs.

Each January at an event known as “Kickoff,” a new, challenging game is introduced. These exciting competitions combine the practical application of science and technology with the fun, intense energy, and excitement of a championship-style sporting event. Teams are encouraged to display Gracious Professionalism®, help other teams, and cooperate while competing. This is known as Coopertition®.

In 2024, FIRST Robotics Competition is projected to reach approximately 90,000 high-school

representing approximately 3,600 teams. Teams come from nearly every state in the United States, as well as many other countries.

FIRST Robotics Competition teams will participate in 61 Regional Competitions, 97 District Competitions, and 11 District Championships. In addition, approximately 600 teams will qualify to attend the FIRST Championship in April 2024.

This year’s game, and this manual, were presented at the 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

At the Kickoff, all teams:

• saw the 2024 game, CRESCENDOSM presented by Haas, for the first time,
• learned about the 2024 game rules and regulations, and
• received a set of game specific materials.

1.4 Gracious Professionalism®, a FIRST Credo

Gracious Professionalism® is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

Gracious Professionalism is not clearly defined for a reason. It can and should mean different things to everyone.

Some possible meanings of Gracious Professionalism include:

• gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win,
• gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions,
• professionals possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly, and
• gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves.

In the context of FIRST, this means that all teams and participants should:

• learn to be strong competitors, but also treat one another with respect and kindness in the process and
• avoid leaving anyone feeling as if they are excluded or unappreciated.

Knowledge, pride, and empathy should be comfortably and genuinely blended.

In the end, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. When professionals use knowledge in a gracious manner and individuals act with integrity and sensitivity, everyone wins and society benefits.

“The FIRST spirit encourages doing high-quality, well-informed work in a manner that

everyone feeling valued. Gracious Professionalism seems to be a good descriptor for part of the ethos of FIRST. It is part of what makes FIRST different and wonderful.”

• Dr. Woodie Flowers, (1943 – 2019)

Distinguished Advisor to FIRST

It is a good idea to spend time going over this concept with your team and reinforcing it regularly. We recommend providing your team with real-life examples of Gracious Professionalism in practice, such as when a team loans valuable materials or expertise to another team that they will later face as an opponent in competition. Routinely highlight opportunities to display Gracious Professionalism at events and encourage team members to suggest ways in which they can demonstrate this quality themselves and through outreach activities.

1.5 Coopertition®

At FIRST, Coopertition® is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with one another even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from teammates and mentors. Coopertition means competing always but assisting and enabling others when you can.

Message from Woodie Flowers Award Recipients

The Woodie Flowers Award is the most prestigious mentoring award in FIRST. The award recipients created an important message for all FIRST Robotics Competition teams to consider as we tackle each season.

Performing at your best is important. Winning is important. This is a competition.

However, winning with Gracious Professionalism and being proud of what you have accomplished and how you have accomplished it is more important. FIRST could create rules and penalties to cover almost any scenario or situation, but we prefer an understandable game with simpler rules that allow us to think and be creative in our designs.

We want to know that our partners and opponents are playing at their best in every

. We want to know they are playing with integrity and not using strategies based on questionable behaviors.

As you create your

and award presentations, prepare for competition and play, create and implement game strategies, and live your daily lives, remember what Woodie said time and time again, and let’s ‘Make your Grandmother proud.’