Disney, Lucasfilm and FIRST Inspire the Next Generation Innovators
Disney and Lucasfilm announced they are partnering up with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the global nonprofit organization, once again for the 2020-2021 youth robotics season, FIRST GAME CHANGERS powered by Star Wars: Force for Change.
In this year’s sports and fitness-themed season, students around the world will compete in robotics challenges, exploring what it means to be “forces for change” by revolutionizing the way we play and move so people of all abilities and skill levels can participate.
The announcement video features some familiar faces from the Star Wars universe that you just might recognize. In this year’s sports and fitness-themed season, students around the world will compete in robotics challenges, exploring what it means to. Be “forces for change” by revolutionizing the way we play and move so people of all abilities and skill levels can participate.
The ongoing collaboration with FIRST, a global robotics community that reaches more than 679,000 students in over 100 countries, enables Disney and Lucasfilm to expand access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning to more young people around the world to help them envision a brighter, more inclusive future.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with FIRST again this year and engage young people in STEM learning,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “Educating our youth and providing access to FIRST programs for students of all backgrounds has never been so important as it is right now. I can’t wait to see the talent and potential this new season brings.”
During their 2019/2020 season, with funding from Disney and Lucasfilm, FIRST expanded access to STEM programs to 112,000 students in underserved and underrepresented communities, impacting 10,000 robotics teams through its equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. This year, we will continue to bring more hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship to youth, empowering them to not only think big, but to develop the skills needed to become the next generation of heroes and innovators.
The Star Wars: Force for Change philanthropic initiative provides students with financial, in-kind and mentorship resources. For more than two decades, Walt Disney Imagineering has provided sponsorship and mentorship to FIRST with unique educational opportunities that feature Star Wars characters, stories and experiences, some even inspired by the adventures found inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
From: Disney Parks Blog, FIRST and Lucasfilm
