Hands-on STEM programming developed by the global, youth-serving nonprofit, FIRST®, is proven to improve test scores, build self-confidence and prepare student participants for real-world success.
In Volusia County, Florida, students participating in FIRST®, a robotics community preparing young people for the future, are scoring 50% higher on state math exams than their peers, while developing teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom. FIRST provides hands-on STEM experiences that ignite student engagement, strengthen academics, and prepare the next generation for tomorrow’s workforce.
Preparing Students to be Future-Ready: It Starts with STEM Learning
Across the country, demand for STEM skills is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM occupations are projected to grow by 10.4% between 2023 and 2033 —nearly three times the rate of non-STEM jobs. At the same time, schools are struggling to keep pace with skill building to match real-time acceleration in technology and artificial intelligence. One of the difficulties in keeping up with STEM education is the lack of flexibility in the classroom governed by mandated testing. Teachers find it more difficult to include STEM learning during the school day due to time constraints. These stats are compounded by learning gaps that resulted from the remote learning environment that many students experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. National studies have shown math and science scores fell significantly during the pandemic, especially in underserved communities.
That gap is where innovative programs like FIRST make the difference. Districts need turnkey, hands-on programs that ignite interest in STEM while reinforcing core academics learned in the traditional classroom setting. FIRST has been meeting that need for more than three decades. Since 1989, the organization has served more than 3.2 million students worldwide, giving young people the tools to develop the technical skills, confidence and real-world problem-solving abilities they will need to be ready for the workforce.
How FIRST® Powered Academic Breakthroughs in Volusia County
With STEM careers already making up 33% of the state’s workforce and contributing over $447 billion to the economy, STEM education and training are significant priorities for Florida’s school districts. Recognizing this opportunity, Volusia County Schools, a Florida district with more than 75 schools, began integrating FIRST into classrooms in 2015.
Amy Monahan, a STEM specialist on the Volusia County School Board, discovered FIRST through her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. What began as curiosity quickly became commitment as she discovered that FIRST is More Than Robots®. Its programs and guiding principles, including Gracious Professionalism®, offered a new way to engage students and transform their learning. Since then, FIRST has grown steadily across the district. Today, Volusia County has more than 1,000 K–12 students participating in FIRST annually, and more than 70% of the district’s schools have an active team, with nearly equal participation among girls (45%) and boys (55%).
The academic impact on students has been remarkable. In a recent district-led study, FIRST participants scored 67% on a state math exam, compared to 33% among their non-FIRST peers, with similar gains in science and civics.
According to Monahan, “Prior to the pandemic, FIRST was in 75% of our schools. In 2020, we were down to three teams. Slowly but consistently, we are back up to 70% of schools with at least one level of FIRST. Each year, we add more teams at all FIRST® LEGO® League levels and consistently include FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® Robotics Competition teams.”
Inspired by FIRST®: Applying STEM to Real-World Challenges
Volusia County students aren’t just building robots; they’re solving real-world problems. At Creekside Middle School, a FIRST team developed an app that allows phones to act as transmitters when cell towers fail during hurricanes. The project earned recognition from FIRST and opened doors to scholarships and internships for the students.
Volusia’s continuum approach ensures students can participate in FIRST from elementary through high school. For example, students who began at Cypress Creek School or Creekside Elementary can continue at Spruce Creek High, eventually competing at the FIRST® Championship, an annual celebration of student achievement that marks the culmination of the FIRST competition season each April.
Opportunities also extend beyond graduation to drive mentorship and connection for the next generation of STEM learners. Many FIRST alumni from Volusia now attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and return as mentors, creating a full circle of STEM leadership and support. These partnerships show students that STEM isn’t abstract; it’s tangible, practical and directly tied to use cases within their communities. And for many, that connection is what changes the course of their future.
Scaling Success in Your District
Volusia’s success didn’t happen by chance. Student enthusiasm is high, but sustaining and expanding FIRST programming requires teacher support, principal engagement and strategic partnerships — using the established FIRST framework to implement an ongoing program.
Monahan offers a roadmap for districts looking to replicate the model:
- Recruit early: Begin planning at least a year before launching FIRST in schools.
- Support teachers: Provide robot kits, tables and training so teachers feel confident from day one.
- Engage principals: Schools see higher success rates when principals champion the program.
- Build partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations for event hosting, mentorship and funding. In Volusia, Florida Power & Light and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University play key roles.
- Support students: Ensure consistent funding so that all students can access opportunities.
This formula works and aligns with recommendations made by FIRST for teachers and schools to successfully adopt and implement a district model. Just this year, Monahan added six new teams simply because principals requested them and anticipated demand. “FIRST offers the most well-rounded experience for students, plus the undeniable ‘cool factor’ of building robots,” Monahan said.
FIRST recommends that school districts implementing programs should prioritize recruiting and supporting coaches, teachers, and students. By investing in teams, schools ensure the FIRST experience is exciting and rewarding for everyone involved.
The Takeaway for District Leaders
Volusia County’s experience shows what’s possible when schools commit to STEM for Everyone™. By investing in FIRST, districts aren’t just improving test scores — they’re building healthier schools, more connected and engaged students and brighter futures. As districts nationwide search for ways to engage students in STEM learning and real-world application, Volusia County exemplifies how investing in FIRST can advance a new generation of skilled problem-solvers, equipped with the ability to generate tangible impact on their future career readiness.
According to Monahan, “Volusia is successful because of one of the Core Values of FIRST — teamwork. We are successful because of the teamwork of our leadership, our principals and our teachers to provide a deep and meaningful STEM experience that is changing trajectories for our students. My goal is to get as many students involved in STEM as possible and open their eyes to the pathways their future could take. We’re changing trajectories.”
Learn how your district can replicate Volusia County’s success and bring FIRST® to students.
