Burlington--If you are a student, age 4-18, interested in robotics, or an adult willing to serve as a mentor or event volunteer, the FIRST robotics program may be for you.

FIRST, which stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology," is a global program, started in 1989, that provides an opportunity for youths to work in teams to learn how to design, build and program robots using STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) while honing their problem-solving, communications and other life skills.

Registration is now open for the 2021-22 season for three different program levels: LEGO^® League (ages 4-14) and the Tech Challenge and Robotics Competition (both for ages 14-18). Adult mentors also are needed to provide both technical and non-technical help to individual teams and to assist at local competitions with set-up, judging and other tasks.

If interested in starting, joining or mentoring a Vermont team, click on "Contact Us" at www.firstinvt.org or get in touch with Liz Kenton at liz.kenton@uvm.edu. For more information about FIRST, check out the global program's website at www.firstinspires.org.

In addition to annual competitions that can advance a team to regional or international play, FIRST participants in Vermont will enjoy related optional year-round activities, including opportunities to tour industrial facilities that use robotics in real-world applications or learn skills such as welding or coding from guest experts.

More than 679,000 youths from 110 countries participate each season, supported by coaches, mentors, businesses and educational and professional institutions. In Vermont, University of Vermont Extension 4-H and the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Norwich University and engineers and maker spaces throughout the state provide support for the program.