The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Long Island Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition will be held March 18 to 21 at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Presented by FIRST Long Island, Zebra Technologies and Optimum, this regional features 48 teams from across Long Island, New York City, and Chinese Taipei.
These teams’ students utilize robots to compete in alliance-style tournament rounds under this year’s challenge, dubbed REBUILT(SM) Presented by Haas. Long Island residents are encouraged to attend to support these local high school students.
The FIRST Long Island Regionals feature teams of high school-aged students competing in a cooperative tournament-style robotics competition. Guided by their mentors, students rely on their skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) to compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship. This high-energy event further emphasizes the importance of high-impact partnerships between students, universities, businesses and communities.
In REBUILT(SM) presented by Haas, two competing alliances are invited to score fuel, cross obstacles, and climb the tower before time runs out. Alliances earn additional rewards for meeting specific scoring thresholds.
This year marks the 27th season of the FIRST Robotics Competition, supported by FIRST Long Island using Founder Fred Breithut’s vision for the students of Long Island and the innovative program developed through FIRST. Mr. Breithut, a former educator, founded FIRST Long Island (then known as the School Business Partnership of Long Island) in 1984 to address the gap between the skills needed by Long Island’s business community and the relevant preparation provided by local school districts. In the first 15 years of its operation, FIRST Long Island formed over 100 successful partnerships between high schools and local businesses. It now focuses on running the full suite of FIRST programs.
The presenting co-sponsors of this year’s competition are Zebra Technologies and Optimum, both long-term supporters of FIRST and FIRST Long Island. Zebra Technologies provides industry-tailored, end-to-end technological solutions for retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare and other industries. Optimum is the local provider of Internet, mobile, phone and TV services.
The event is free to the public. Those in attendance are encouraged to cheer on their home teams and visit the teams’ pit areas to see firsthand how these students program, repair and operate their robots. Visitors can also meet with FIRST Long Island representatives, who can explain to them the different programs the organization provides and how one can form a team.
“The FIRST Long Island Regional is an amazing culmination of teams’ design and building activities and a way for students to showcase their talents and enjoy the competition,” says Larry Toonkel, FIRST Long Island’s regional director for the FIRST Robotics Competition. “We are very excited to see what all our Long Island teams bring to the table and to host this event.”
“We are certain that this event will provide a great opportunity for teams to live the FIRST experience and have a chance to advance to the Championships,” adds FIRST Long Island Executive Director Patrise Miller. “To accomplish these goals, we’ll need the continued support of our valued schools, families, volunteers and donors.”
FIRST Long Island, along with Zebra Technologies and Optimum, is the title sponsor of the FIRST Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Other corporate sponsors include Cradle of Aviation Museum, FESTO, PSEG Long Island, Schenck USA, School Construction Consultants, Inc., SCOPE Education Services, TTM Technologies, the U.S. Army, the United States Navy and Packaging Machine Manufacturing Institute (PMMI).
Individual and private sponsors include accessLinx, Inc., Brookhaven Science Associates, Inc. (BNL), the Dittmar Family, Northrop Grumman and the Stern Family.
The list of teams participating in the 2025 FIRST Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics can be found here.