FIRST Longitudinal Study – Interim Reports

The FIRST Longitudinal Study is a multi-year longitudinal study assessing the impacts of FIRST’s afterschool robotics programs on the STEM related interests and educational and career trajectories of program participants. FIRST is one of the nation’s largest after-school robotics programs, serving more than 460,000 youth aged 6-18 annually through the FIRST LEGO League (Ages 7-14), the FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) and the FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12). The study is tracking over 1200 program participants and comparison students, using a quasi-experimental design, over a five year period through a mix of baseline and annual follow-up surveys, parent and team leader surveys, and interviews and focus groups. Findings to date show positive, statistically significant impacts on STEM-related attitudes and interests. Summaries of findings based on 12, 24, and 36 month data at the link. The full report on findings at 24 month follow-up, which includes data on baseline characteristics, program experience and impacts, is available through FIRST.