Here’s an educational program that would leave the Imperial Empire quaking in their Star Destroyers. FIRST RISE, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change is a new initiative between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Lucasfilm and Disney. It’s set to bring together 615,000 students in 113 countries for its 2019-2020 youth robotics season in hopes of inspiring the next generation of heroes and innovators.
“With the support of Disney and Lucasfilm, more students will have access to FIRST programs, and in turn gain valuable STEM and 21st-century skills that prepare them for the future,” FIRST President Donald E. Bossi tells Parentology. Already, the robotics community of FIRST has inspired millions of students since its 1989 inception. Now, with Disney and Lucasfilm on board, the group hopes to impact even more young people.
The FIRST RISE & Star Wars Partnership
FIRST RISE is open to international students in grades K-12 and will focus on the future of cities and architecture with an eye toward building communities filled with inspiration, creativity, and hope. “Star Wars has always inspired young people to look past what is and imagine a world beyond,” Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said in a statement. “It’s crucial that we pass on the importance of science and technology to young people—they will be the ones who will have to confront the global challenges that lie ahead.”
The collaboration is a natural fit, and Bossi explains it’s about much more than simply attaching the Star Wars brand to popularize the event.
“The partnership came about organically, as Disney — the parent company of Lucasfilm — has been a supporter of FIRST for over 20 years, providing mentorship, support, and even hosting the FIRST Championship event,” he says. This works in tandem with FIRST’s mission to inspire a love of STEM in children, building life skills, and confidence along the way.
Over its 30-year history, FIRST has gained momentum and expanded internationally with hands-on, team-based robotics challenges. These included FIRST LEGO League Jr. (Grades K-4), FIRST LEGO League (Grades 4-8), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12), and FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12).
Star Wars: Force for Change looks to bridge the STEM skills gap and motivate students with a base of Star Wars storytelling.
Here are the program challenges in FIRST RISE, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change we know about so far:
- In August, the FIRST LEGO League Jr. BOOMTOWN BUILD Challenge gets underway. Teams of six to 10 year-olds will use an architecture-themed Inspire Set to explore a scientific concept, as well as build and code a moving model.
- Also in August is the FIRST LEGO League CITY SHAPER Challenge. Students ages nine to 14 (up to 16 outside of North America) will work with architects and engineers to develop, design, build and code LEGO Education SPIKE Prime and LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robots. Their creations will perform autonomous “missions” to find solutions for real-world problems.
- September will see FIRST Tech Challenge compete in SKYSTONE presented by Qualcomm. Students ages 12-18 will approach operating robots through STEM, engineering design and process, while connecting the project to their local and engineering community.
- FIRST Robotics Competition teams will design and build a metropolis that functions with renewable sources via INFINITE RECHARGE. Their robots will be unveiled in January.
And there is more to come. To learn more and get involved with FIRST RISE, Powered by Star Wars: Force for Change, visit firstinspires.org/first-rise-2020.