i.am STEAM
i.am FIRST

i.am FIRST is our initiative to bring FIRST Robotics programs to the youth of Boyle Heights. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a world-class robotics competition combining the excitement of sports with the rigors of engineering.

We are proud to partner with inventor and FIRST Robotics founder Dean Kamen to encourage and celebrate the engineering prowess of kids everywhere. “I’m proud to help FIRST inspire young people to pursue science and technology careers… The experience that students gain and the values they learn in FIRST programs are crucial to creating the innovative problem solvers of tomorrow.” — will.i.am

Latest News

i.am Angel & LAUSD Present: 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff

[embed]https://youtu.be/4SwsswEVXK8?si=QRz8-8Hg3z1lAGWu[/embed] On September 7th, over 100 students and coaches gathered at Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles for the i.am Angel Foundation’s and LAUSD’s first-ever FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff. The event aimed to energize and prepare students for the…

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LAUSD x IAA FIRST Tech Challenge: Celebrating a Season of Success!

[embed]https://youtu.be/DXcgzDrq6uI?si=ZxKYCicV6pUXGK8V[/embed] We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievements of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) during the 2023-2024 FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Season! This season featured the “FIRST IN SHOW” game, presented by Qualcomm, which emphasized the integration…

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LAUSD Completes Inaugural FTC Robotics Season

In June of 2021, the i.am/Angel Foundation and the Los Angeles Unified School District partnered together to announce an initiative to create robotics teams for over 400 LAUSD middle and high schools. This initiative was a first of its kind…

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Robotics Continues Strong Despite Obstacles

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges to the schools and programs the i.am Angel Foundation supports, and robotics was one hit the hardest. Due to COVID guidelines and restrictions, most of our teams weren’t able to meet in person, which…

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Announcing the “American Dream Fund” Campaign

Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am returns to campaign mode with his new song “American Dream” that is kicking off a $5 million GoFundMe fundraising initiative today to benefit the i.am Angel Foundation. [embed]https://youtu.be/1NjH_pVai2M[/embed] Education is a core building block…

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How Our FIRST Robotics Teams Performed in 2020

Although the COVID-19 virus forced a Stay at Home order in Los Angeles, our three LA-based FIRST Robotics Competition teams were fortunate enough to compete at the LA Regional before the order was issued. On the weekend of March 8th,…

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