Purdue FIRST Programs will sponsor two FIRST Lego League competitions.

Purdue FIRST Programs (PFP) is a student organization that works together to support the mission and vision of FIRST, the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. The group mentors K-12 students in the Greater Lafayette area schools. Currently, PFP supports almost 30 elementary and middle school FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams and four FIRST Robotic Competition teams.

PFP strives to inspire youth to pursue and appreciate science and technology, while empowering students to strengthen technical and leadership skills from competitions and activities to better prepare them for industry. The efforts are fruitful according to Jackson Hawkins, a senior in mechanical engineering who is involved with Purdue FIRST.

“Purdue FIRST Programs is about giving back to the program that helped me succeed as an engineer,” Hawkins said.

In November, PFP will sponsor two FIRST Lego League competitions. The day-long events are Nov. 11 at Kokomo High School and Nov. 18 at Sunnyside Intermediate School in Lafayette. The competitions are open to the public. Volunteers can sign up on FIRST Inspires.

In the fall of 1999, 12 Purdue students started PFP and helped establish the FIRST Robotics Club at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School. In the 24 years since, the organization has grown to about 35 students. Although it is not a prerequisite, 99% of PFP members have prior FIRST experience.

“After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to stay involved in FIRST Robotics as a mentor,” said Abby Wittkoski, current club president and senior in College of Agriculture majoring in natural resources and environmental science. “Purdue FIRST Programs has allowed me to do this and given me the resources to be successful as a mentor.”

The Purdue FIRST Program meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Purdue students interested in joining the organization can contact the Purdue FIRST Program president at president@purduefirst.org.