MANCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international not-for-profit K-12 organization founded to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, today announced that Qualcomm Incorporated will return as Presenting Sponsor for the 2018 FIRST Championship, the world’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for students, happening in Houston (April 18-21, 2018) and Detroit (April 25-28, 2018) this spring.

“We’re very grateful for Qualcomm’s continued dedication to FIRST and to building future innovators,” said Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST. “Qualcomm understands how important it is that the next generation of leaders – including its future employees – are able to create innovative solutions to the world’s challenges and adapt to the rapidly changing workforce. Through its support of FIRST and the FIRST Championship, Qualcomm is helping to develop those skills and talent in FIRST participants.”

This year, more than 65,000 students, coaches, and supporters will participate at FIRST Championship events in Houston and Detroit. With the support of FIRST Sponsors, it promises participating teams and spectators alike an inspiring and action-packed experience that has all the heart-pounding thrills and team spirit of a professional sporting event. All the highlights – matches, interviews, and analysis – will be streamed live via Twitch at firstchampionship.org/watch-live. The FIRST Championship website is sponsored by Quicken Loans.

“Qualcomm’s support of FIRST and FIRST Championship is just one of the ways in which we contribute to a solid foundation for students to be prepared to invent the future,” said Brian Modoff, executive vice president of strategy and M&A at Qualcomm. “By investing in them at this stage, we are ensuring that the future of innovation continues to thrive throughout our global community.”

2018 FIRST Championship Lead Sponsors include: Google, Inc and Magna International Inc.

2018 FIRST Championship Event Sponsors include: ABB Foundation, The Abbott Fund; BAE Systems; Bechtel Corporation; Booz Allen Hamilton; Delta Air Lines, Inc.; Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau; The Dow Chemical Company; DTE Energy Co.; FCA Foundation; FedEx Corporation; Ford Motor Company; General Motors Company; Houston CVB, Nokia Bell Labs; NRG Energy; TE Connectivity; Twitch; U.S. Air Force; United Technologies; ZF.

2018 FIRST Championship Key Sponsors include: American Axle & Manufacturing; The Boeing Company; Bosch; The Coca-Cola Company; Consumers Energy; DoD STEM; Kettering University; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Mouser Electronics; PwC US, Southwest Airlines; Quicken Loans; Texas Instruments; Two Sigma; Walt Disney Imagineering.

Other 2018 FIRST Championship Supporters include: Aptiv; Arm; Blue Origin; J.R. Automation; KUKA Robotics; Miksa Honey Farms.

FIRST Championship has an estimated collective economic impact of $30 million to each of the 2018 host cities. Events will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park in Houston and at the Cobo Center and Ford Field in Detroit. 2018 marks the first year the Motor City will host the event.

The international FIRST Championship is an annual event hosted by FIRST, a youth-serving nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen, to showcase and celebrate student robotics teams from FIRST Robotics Competition for students in grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for grades K-4.

Media interested in attending FIRST Championship should register at firstchampionship.org/media-registration.

Save the date! The FIRST Championship will be held in:

2019: Houston: April 17-20 and Detroit: April 24-27

2020: Houston: April 15-18 and Detroit: April 29-May 2

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $50 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.firstinspires.org