Celebrating the True FIRST Story behind "Rule Breakers" - Seven Questions to Facilitate Meaningful Discussion About the Film

“Nothing ever happened unless someone dreamed it first” - Roya Mahboob 

In a nation where educating girls is seen as rebellion, a visionary woman dares to teach young minds to dream. When their innovation draws global attention, their success sparks hope — and opposition. As threats loom and sacrifices are made, their courage and unity ignite a movement that could forever transform the world. The new feature film “Rule Breakers” follows the inspiring true story of all-girls FIRST^® team, “Afghan Dreamers.”  

The real “Afghan Dreamers” team that inspired the film

Assemble your FIRST team, take a trip to your local movie theater to see “Rule Breakers,” and use this discussion guide to spark meaningful discussions about this important story:  

Against all odds, the “Afghan Dreamers” stood up for their own education and chance to participate when the world was trying to keep them down. Talk with your team about the lessons you can take from the challenges the “Afghan Dreamers” experienced and ultimately overcame. For example, what inspiration can you take from the scene which shows team mentor Roya Mahboob continuously asking to help in the internet cafe? What doors can be opened for you and/or others when you speak up and offer to help?  

Can you think of a time when you used problem-solving skills to tackle a daunting challenge? Discuss how you can apply these lessons to your life and your team, and how these skills can benefit you now and in the future.  

Discuss how the “Afghan Dreamers” lives changed forever because they were able to learn how to use computers. How did it change the trajectory of their futures? What changes were made in their community because of it? As seen in the movie, being able to interact with technology and having the opportunity to receive an education can change someone’s entire perspective and enable them to dream bigger than ever before. 

Not only were the young women of the “Afghan Dreamers” eventually able to travel the world to participate in FIRST^® Championship, but they also had the opportunity to open the minds of those around them. Talk with your team about how the opportunity to receive an education can open minds and hearts. 

Throughout “Rule Breakers,” community members and FIRST team members alike came together to help the “Afghan Dreamers” overcome obstacles and compete on a global stage. From providing tools and space to work, to allowing young women to participate in robotics despite cultural expectations, this true story shows how important community support is. 

Take a moment to discuss obstacles each of your individual team members might be facing. The scene where each member of the “Afghan Dreamers” team is offered a spot is inspiring because in just a few quick moments, the movie shows us how valuable each member's skillset is. It proves how each of them is essential to the team’s overall success competing. What do each of your team members contribute as you compete in FIRST? 

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Discuss how stories like this can not only inspire others but also help open someone’s world view. What kind of differences and similarities do you and your team have from a robotics team in a different part of the world? What challenges do you face that are similar? Which ones are different? 

Learning more about other cultures and the challenges people within them might face can help expand our thinking and understanding of the world. It can also help inspire us to make changes in our own communities. 

Take some time for each team member to share some challenges they might be facing. For instance, someone might want to try coding but feel like they do not know how to do it. For others, doubts can be caused by something bigger, such as stereotypes or the way others have treated them in the past. 

Like the “Afghan Dreamers,” it’s important for each member of your team to support each other. Discuss how as a team you can work together to remove these individual doubts. A team united in helping each other succeed is unstoppable. 

Give your team members a chance to share a time when they felt like others looked down on their abilities. What doubts did they have about you and why? What did you do to resolve the situation and what would you do differently in the future? 

Sometimes, people will underestimate us because of our differences. Remember: belief in oneself is nothing short of life-changing. When was a time that your FIRST experience helped you push past doubts from others? 

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7. How can you use what you have learned from FIRST to make a difference? 

The “Afghan Dreamers” proved that FIRST not only helps build critical STEM and life skills but can also impact communities around the world. How can you and your team use what you have learned from FIRST to make a difference where you live? 

The FIRST community is filled with inspiring stories of teams helping the people around them. From the solar powered robot created for farmers, to epic wheelchairs, speaking up and offering help, much like Roya Mahboob did, can change your entire world – and help others in countless, highly impactful ways.  

“Rule Breakers” proves that STEM and FIRST can provide students with real skills that will be applicable for the rest of their lives. Lessons about problem solving, teamwork, flexibility, and so much more can be learned from their true story. Be sure to share your thoughts on social media and let us know how you felt about this inspiring movie using #rulebreakers.