Educational Robotics with FIRST: Inspiring the Next Generation!
Our guest author, Valerie Lécolle, SOLIDWORKS EDU expert, highlights Robotique FIRST France, the FIRST Robotics STEM competition, proudly sponsored by Dassault Systèmes and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes.
Many of you are already familiar with FIRST, the international community that helps young people discover and explore the world of robotics. Founded in the U.S. in 1989 by Dean Kamen, FIRST aims to promote and introduce STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) by encouraging students to design, build, and program robots to compete in challenges, just like in a sports league. Which robot will be the most agile in overcoming the tasks? Which team will show the greatest ingenuity?
Did you know that FIRST is also active in France? Thanks to the dedication and passion of Stéphane Morin and Alice de Malliard, the Robotique FIRST France association was established in 2022. Driven by their enthusiasm for science and industry and aware of the need to train future talent in these fields, they helped France join this unique global community. French middle and high school students now have the opportunity to participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge (ages 12–18), the most popular program, and the more advanced FIRST Robotics Competition (ages 14–18).
Dassault Systèmes and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes : Proud Partners of Robotique FIRST France
Both Dassault Systèmes and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes have been key partners of Robotique FIRST France from the very beginning. “This strategic collaboration was a turning point for the association’s development,” recalls Alice de Malliard. Even today, the foundation’s support enables the organization to look to the future with confidence and to continue its mission of inspiring young people.
More than a simple partner, they share the belief that the next generation of engineers, technicians, and scientists, who will need to be innovative, creative, and visionary, must be inspired to pursue STEM from an early age. This shared vision enables both organizations to grow and evolve together in a complementary way.
Dassault Systèmes EDU team is also directly involved with students throughout their journey. As mentors, they play a key role in the project by providing free licenses to student teams and sharing their knowledge, expertise, and soft skills. They serve as inspiring role models, especially at a crucial time when students are making career choices.
Thanks to the commitment of exceptional partners like Dassault Systèmes and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, Robotique FIRST France has already reached over 2,000 French middle and high school students. Beyond increasing participant numbers, the association’s activities have gradually expanded across the entire country, with regional competitions now being organized. The program is becoming more and more accessible! In 2024–2025, over 1,200 participants took part in one of six regional finals.
March 22: The 2025 “Défi Robotique” in Lyon
The top teams gathered in Lyon on March 22 for the 3rd edition of the Défi Robotique, France’s national FIRST competition: 42 teams and more than 600 young participants showcased their talent and energy throughout the day.
According to Stéphane Morin, the association’s president, “this day is a burst of inspiration, creativity, and achievement. The students experience the culmination of the robotics project they’ve been working on all year, and often, it’s the beginning of a real awareness of their own potential.” Indeed, during this competition, students are asked to take risks, face challenges, and adapt. A true crash course in learning!
Some teams continued their journey to Houston, Texas. This year, two teams qualified to represent France at the 2025 FIRST Championship, the world’s largest educational robotics event, which brought together thousands of young talents from May 16 to 19. The team from Lycée Ferdinand Buisson in Elbeuf (Normandy) for FTC and the Robo’Lyon team from Neuville-sur-Saône (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) for FRC both headed to the U.S. to proudly represent France.
Everyone’s a Winner
Whether they win or not, every student is a winner. They win by participating, by learning perseverance and teamwork, and by pushing their own limits. Through their involvement with Robotique FIRST France, they put their STEM knowledge into practice and met industry professionals who shared their experience and inspired them to pursue careers in science.
The association’s positive impact is measured not only through the scientific skills acquired, but also through the development of valuable soft skills essential to the success of the project. Teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and communication are just a few of the competencies students develop—skills they will carry with them for life.
Thank you Dassault Systèmes and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes for being a partner with Robotique FIRST France. We appreciate all the effort from the organizers, mentors and students that participated in this great experience. Thank you Valerie for sharing this story with the SOLIDWORKS Community.
For more information on our sponsorship with FIRST Robotics teams and to get software for your FIRST team, please go to www.solidworks.com/FIRST.
Design well. Marie
Marie Planchard