Since 1992, Autodesk has been a huge supporter of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, of Segway® fame, with the goal of getting young people excited about science and technology. And it's definitely working. Autodesk began its support of FIRST with one thing in mind - to help train the next generation of engineers and bring science and technology back to the forefront of education. Autodesk has witnessed first-hand the direct results of our partnership with FIRST- and so have educators.

The FIRST Robotics Competition is so popular that over 42,000 high-schooled-aged students on more than 1700 teams competing in over 40 regional events vie every year for a shot at the championship event at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in April. The 2009 season will mark Autodesk's 18th year in sponsoring this program.

In the 2007, Autodesk began supporting the FIRST Tech Challenge which is a mid-level robotics competition that offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. This program is made up of 10,000 high-school-aged students on 1000 teams in the U.S., Mexico and Canada . These teams complete at regional tournaments and also have their championship event in Atlanta, Georgia in April.

To help students experience their ideas before their real and push the boundaries of creative engineering, Autodesk donates more than $17 million worth of software each year and approximately $123 million worth since our sponsorship began. In addition, Autodesk employees graciously give their time to help the teams and provide training and support.

Autodesk will proudly continue its quest to help develop the next generation of scientists and engineers. If the FIRST is any indication of where these engineers are heading, it's going to be a bright future.

For more information about FIRST, visit, http://www.usfirst.org/

"No other sponsor of FIRST Robotics has been as responsive to teams' needs as Autodesk. Their commitment to science and technology through the use of their products sets a precedent in the field of education. I can't think of another company of this magnitude that has donated their product and support on such a large scale."

Dave Beck, Educator
Palisades High School
Kintnersville, PA