FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501.3(c) non-profit organization designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. One of those programs is the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for high school students, which challenges teams of students, teachers and interested professionals to design, construct, and test a robot during an intense, short time cycle. The time cycle of six weeks for initial design to final product creates a real world engineering experience that includes critical technical analysis, acquisition and application of engineering knowledge, technical fabrication, systems engineering and integration, time management, resource allotment, teamwork, and many other life skills that combine to help focus students on technology as a possible career choice.

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School for Health Professions formed a FIRST robotics team in 2005. Dunbar is a health/science magnet school in Baltimore City. In 2007 students and a teacher from Patterson High School joined the team. Patterson is a Baltimore City vocational school. To prepare students for FIRST, both a robotics class and a robotics club were started at Dunbar in 2004-2005. Students at Patterson are involved in Project Lead the Way. In 2006 the Lab Rats attended the Chesapeake Regional Competition for the first time. In 2007 the Lab Rats won two awards at the Chesapeake Regional. They were awarded the finalist's trophy for making it to the finals in a field of 58 teams. The judges also recognized the Lab Rats with a special award for student leadership in Baltimore City. In 2008 the Lab Rats attended the New Jersey Regional and the Chesapeake Regional.

During the school year, the robotics class introduces students to the foundational concepts of robotics. New robotics students benefit from the experience of previous robotics students assisting with the class. Both new and returning robotics students work together in the robotics club to build the FIRST robot, Big Cheeze. Both the class and the club are open to all Dunbar students who apply. Typically 10-15 students enroll in the class. An additional 5-10 students from Dunbar and Patterson join the club to construct the robot. Students on the robotics team commit to staying after school every Thursday until 6:30. During the six-week build season Tuesdays and Saturdays are added to the schedule. Student leaders typically stay later and choose to come additional days.

The students are supported by mentors, parents, and teachers. The support team is a changing group of engineers and professionals from the surrounding community, industry, and government agencies.

Dunbar High School started its FIRST robotics team as a high school project focused on enhancing math, science, and engineering skills of high school students. Dunbar’s FIRST robotics team produces the following outcomes. The team enters and competes in the Chesapeake Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. The students develop and build a robot to compete in regional events, providing real world engineering challenges. This experience helps students connect traditional academic studies such as mathematics and science with engineering and technology. A major goal of this process is for team members to develop a set of life skills that focus on teamwork, mastery of technical knowledge and appreciation of technical knowledge. Students involved in this process can refine their career goals and develop a sense of personal and corporate identity that can provide direction to their post-secondary educational experience