--- title: "More Than Robots: How FIRST Builds Confidence, Community, and STEM Skills" description: Discover how FIRST fosters confidence, community, and essential STEM skills through collaboration, mentorship, and lifelong friendships beyond robotics. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/20250419BEN01206%20(1).jpg --- When someone joins the* FIRST*® community, they quickly hear a familiar phrase: *More Than Robots*®. At first, it might sound like a simple tagline. But spend a little time with a *FIRST* team, and the meaning becomes clear. It’s the long meetings in the shop solving a problem together, the confidence that grows with every challenge, and the friendships, mentorship, and sense of purpose that extend far beyond robotics. While the meaning may look different for everyone, one thing is certain: *FIRST* builds far more than STEM skills. Hear from members of our community about what *More Than Robots* means to them and don’t forget to share your own responses on social with #morethanrobots! **“It’s more than building the robots to compete; it’s building lifelong skills and friendships!”** **“Bringing together the community and spreading the awesomeness of *****FIRST*****.”** ![](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-01-0580-PM.png?width=475&height=315&name=undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-01-0580-PM.png) **“Family and connections. Everyone who is part of *****FIRST *****becomes family.”** **“The community bond formed by being on a team.”** ![](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-00-6520-PM.png?width=488&height=325&name=undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-00-6520-PM.png) **“Robots are what we build. But teamwork, creativity, and resilience are what we become.”** **“The feeling of being able to express myself and learn from people who support me.”** ![](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-00-1869-PM.png?width=470&height=313&name=undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-17-00-1869-PM.png) **“We don’t only build robots; we share knowledge and make the world a better place.”** **“Creating a sense of community where you can be yourself.”** ![](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-16-59-8096-PM.png?width=479&height=319&name=undefined-Apr-02-2026-07-16-59-8096-PM.png) **“The impact you make with *****FIRST*****.”** **“Shaping ourselves to become our very best versions as we build robots.”** **“A community built around *****Gracious***** *****Professionalism*****® with lots of mentorship available!”** **“A group of people pursuing their dreams together.”**   Follow *FIRST* on social for more National Robotics Week content! [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/first_official_/?hl=en) | [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@first_inspires) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FIRSTOfficial) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-2) ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Team Stories](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/team-stories) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/more-than-robots-how-first-builds-confidence-community-and-stem-skills) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/more-than-robots-how-first-builds-confidence-community-and-stem-skills) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/more-than-robots-how-first-builds-confidence-community-and-stem-skills) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) Control System Update October 13, 2016 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni), [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) FIRST alum Krista speaks about  the power of mentoring at Haas Technical Education center January 2, 2020 ** [FTC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/ftc) FIRST Tech Challenge SDK Sound Effects Competition May 16, 2025 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)