Aurora Robotics, Inc.

Aurora Robotics, Inc is a youth lead and adult mentored non-profit organization with the mission to encourage, promote, inspire, and recognize science, technology, engineering, and math, in addition to engaging youth in the technology and business principles associated with robotics.

Aurora Robotics, Inc. has two FIRST robotics teams - FIRST Lego League for upper elementary and middle school students and FIRST Robotics Competition for high school youth. FIRST stands for "For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" and is a US-based non-profit that hosts a series of youth robotics competitions to engage youth K-12. FIRST's motto is "more than a robot" - while these competitions are a robotics in nature - they incorporate other components that are critical for success not only for competition but inspire youth to grow and pursue STEM-related careers.

FIRST Lego League, FLL, is a competition for 4-8 grade students. Students learn computer programing, designing and building robots, public speaking, leadership skills, and career exploration.

FIRST Robotics Competition is a varsity-level robotics competition for high school students. This program is more than just building a robot; teams truly function as a business. The teams are engaged in three different areas:
• Outreach (Demonstrations, Teaching STEM camps, Helping start other teams)
• Business skills (Marketing, Grant Writing, Accounting)
• Technical skills (3D modeling with SolidWorks, Computer Programing, Real-time image processing, Autonomous driving, Building the robot using CNC technology, and milling machines)
FRC programs are prevalent in all states except Nebraska, engaging students, Fortune 500 companies, and even state governments.

Students that are involved in FIRST
• 50% more likely to attend College
• 3x more likely to major in engineering
• 9x more likely to have an internship in the freshman year
• 4x more likely to pursue a career in engineering
• Female students are 4x, and minorities students are 2x more likely to pursue Technology and Engineering majors in College

Impacts of our local program: 75% of the students engaged in our programs were in the top 10% of the graduating class. Greater that 80% of these students are currently pursuing a BS degree, 70% are pursuing a degree in a STEM related field.