FIRST® mentors and coaches support over half a million students across the globe a year. As a mentor or coach of a FIRST team, you help inspire and empower students to be innovators. You're working side by side with FIRST participants to build their leadership and problem-solving skills and, more importantly, their sense of belonging and self-confidence. Your contribution to the success of FIRST programs is immeasurable.
As a mentor or coach you can:
Teach others what you know
Be inspired by the students
Give back to your community
Build your own skills and resume
Our mentors and coaches are people from all backgrounds and disciplines who share their knowledge, whether it is technical or non-technical. They support the team with subject matter expertise on an as needed basis including assisting the team with topics such as programming questions, building skills, scholarships, business management, marketing, or fundraising. Coaches and mentors are also role models and advisers who helps foster Gracious Professionalism® and FIRST Core Values in our students.
Mentors or Coaches can be:
FIRST alumni
Community members and leaders
Parents
Teachers/Professors
Professionals (technical or non-technical)
Employees of corporate sponsors
College students and faculty
Friends and family members of students
2025 District Championship Engineering Inspiration Award - FIRST Indiana District Championship. This award earned us an invitation to the FIRST Championships in Houston.
In North High School's auditorium waiting for the worldwide kickoff of the 2025 REEFSCAPE
Inspecting the Crescendo bot (2023) between matches.
In queue for our next match as we strategize and discuss the game plan.
Helping Bosse High School, a new team for 2025, finalize their bot at their first ever competition.
Working on the climber on the REEFSCAPE bot (2025)
Mr Gibson and team members in queue for their next match.
Debugging some code between matches
REady to become a mentor?
Here’s all you need to do
Using this link, Go to FIRST’s website and complete Step 1. It includes tasks like:
Create an online profile on FIRST’s dashboard, Familiarize yourself with the requirements, Youth Protection Program, FIRST Volunteer Handbook, etc.
Email team leadership using this link
Let them know you completed Step 1 above with FIRST
Answer the questions in the email
Leadership will reach out to you and schedule a time to meet in-person or virtually