FIRST is a global robotics community preparing young people for the future. Its mission is to provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence and resilience to build a better world.
About Us
Who We Are
Operating under the KC STEM Alliance, the FIRST Kansas City team is building a robotics community of area businesses, schools, universities and professional organizations with the goal of giving every student in our area the opportunity to participate in FIRST from kindergarten through high school graduation.
By empowering young people to think big and feel hopeful for their future through STEM education and mentorship, FIRST helps students build a better future where they want to belong. And that’s good news for Kansas City, where rewarding careers at STEM-based businesses and industries play a significant role in the regional economy.
Our History
FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, an inventor and tireless advocate for science and technology. His determination to help young people discover the rewards of STEM education and careers is the cornerstone of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
KC STEM Alliance was created in 2011 with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to oversee the implementation of FIRST and Project Lead The Way in the Kansas City area. Along with its support of these two national best-practice STEM programs, KC STEM Alliance collaborates with industry, educators and STEM organizations and works to increase access to STEM opportunities for under-resourced schools and communities and underrepresented groups.
Our Team
| Chelsea Barbercheck | KC STEM Alliance Executive Director |
| Chrissy Chandler | FIRST LEGO League Partner |
| Jim Chandler | FIRST Senior Mentor |
| Bob Crance | FIRST Robotics Competition Partner |
| Phil Wood | FIRST Tech Challenge Coordinator |
| Callen Zind | Communications Manager |
Our Partners and Connections
KC STEM Alliance sponsors support FIRST Kansas City’s operations. These Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze partners enable KC STEM Alliance to manage, staff and cover all costs associated with regional FIRST events and competitions.
What We Do
Our mission is to make the suite of FIRST programs available, accessible and sustainable for the Kansas City region. KC STEM Alliance manages, executes, staffs and covers all costs associated with Kansas City Regional FIRST tournaments, events and competitions, including:
FIRST LEGO League Explore: A stand-alone Expo, numerous Expos and Showcases at FIRST or STEM outreach events and How to Start a Team workshops.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge: Regional qualifying tournaments, a regional championship, How to Start a Team workshops and a Coaches Workshop.
FIRST Tech Challenge: FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff, Quick Build and team workshops; meets and qualifiers.
FIRST Robotics Competition: FIRST Robotics kickoff and quick build, regional FIRST Robotics Competition tournaments and events, and support for team-hosted trainings.
KC STEM Alliance raises funds to cover KC FIRST staff including the FIRST Robotics Competition Program Delivery Partner, FIRST LEGO League Explore and FIRST LEGO League Challenge Program Delivery Partner, FIRST Tech Challenge Local Director and FIRST Volunteer Coordinators.
KC STEM Alliance awards grants directly to teams to assist with operating budgets, travel and expenses.
Grants and Support to Teams
With support from its funders, KC STEM Alliance awards cash grants to support and increase student participation in robotics programs.
Applications are considered from FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams in the following counties: Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas; and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte in Missouri.
KC STEM Alliance does not formally provide seasonal team grants for FIRST LEGO League. However, if you have a proposal for starting a new team or teams in an area that is under-represented in STEM, please contact us at kcstem@kcstem.org. Organizations that have benefited from our targeted grants include Girl Scouts, YMCA, the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and others.
KC Engineering Zone
KC Engineering Zone (KC EZ) is a safe and supportive 4,200-square-foot workspace where Kansas City’s K-12 urban students acquire real-world knowledge, skills and experience through hands-on science, technology, engineering and math programming.
The KC EZ hosts four FIRST Robotics Competition teams (Paseo Academy of Performing Arts, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, and Cristo Rey KC, Central High School) each school year providing build space, access to machining equipment, 3D printer and hand tools, work benches, meeting spaces, a kitchen facility, snacks and more.
KC Engineering Zone hold harmless form – Required to work in the KC EZ Machine Shop.