FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway personal transporter, to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST structures programs that are accessible to students at several levels of competition. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), for high school students, like FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge, centers on the design and building of robots around a challenge that changes from year to year.  Read more...

Team 1980 is headquartered at Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, Maryland and is the lone FIRST Robotics team in Harford County, a mostly suburban region of Maryland north of Baltimore along the route 95 corridor. Aberdeen High School is neighbored by Aberdeen Proving Ground (the origin of the world's first digital computer!). Aberdeen High School is the home to the Science and Mathematics Academy, a magnet program that attracts students from throughout Harford County who demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science and mathematics.  Read more...