FIRST RGV Professional Development is an immersive learning experience that will help you acquire or strengthen your facilitation skills for project-based learning curriculum and 21st-century skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in an active learning environment. Each course is led by a seasoned Texas educator with extensive in-classroom application of using FIRST during class time. We will provide necessary tools to bring FIRST programs to your classroom or as a structured afterschool program as well as indicate key points that align FIRST with published in classroom curriculum available via Texas Education Agency (TEA). Certificates will be issued to those who attend an official FIRST RGV professional development session.

Over the one-day (8 hours) you’ll gain insight on how to achieve STEM learning objectives using learning tools and resources available to educators conducting FIRST, as well as the confidence and tools to:

• Facilitate computational thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills with your students
• Run FIRST teams using project-based learning pedagogy
• Build a robot and program using age-appropriate technology
• Become knowledgeable in the engineering design process

FIRST RGV professional development is available for: FIRST LEGO League Jr., FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition.

FIRST Steps is a full-year curriculum for FIRST LEGO League coaches and teachers. The curriculum guides new coaches through their initial season with FIRST LEGO League and provides standards mapping and assessments for teachers implementing FIRST LEGO League in the classroom. It is a step by step, meeting by meeting framework that allows coaches or teachers with no previous FIRST experience to lead a robotics team through a successful first season.  The curriculum introduces students to the Engineering Design Process and coding in addition to providing activities to build skills such as collaboration, group decision making and communication. Differentiated activities are provided for different age groups or skill levels.

FIRST Class is a free curriculum that provides authentic, real-world learning to students by bringing FIRST Tech Challenge into the classroom. The curriculum is designed to be a stand-alone robotics/programming/engineering course for grades 7-12 but also follows a timeline to allow students to be competition ready if they choose. Off season curriculum is designed to strengthen students’ programming and engineering practices.

Our FIRST Senior Mentor and our VISTAs that are available to come into the classroom to work with your teams one on one with OFFICIAL and UPDATED information about the programs being offered by FIRST in the Rio Grande Valley. They are free and can help via email, video chat or in person time.  Email Our Mentors.

For a small fee, FIRST RGV will setup and administer a special scrimmage for your team(s). This is great for school districts that want to get a little practice in before the actual qualifying event. Costs are very reasonable and allows your students to interact with our official referees and judges. Its another great way to FIRST in more ways!  Contact us for more information via our CONTACT PAGE. Scrimmages are available for FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams in the Rio Grande Valley.

Thank you for your interest. If there are any questions or special needs, please contact us and we will be glad to discuss opportunities in more detail. We appreciate you!