Faith Bongiorno is a FIRST Education Implementation Specialist supporting school districts.  Prior to joining FIRST, Faith held roles of robotics instructor and coach for elementary and middle school grade levels.  As the FIRST Senior Mentor for the state of South Carolina, Faith worked on initiatives for student growth and program capacity engaging local industry partners across the state.  Faith continues to be actively involved in FIRST at the state organizational level and is active across all FIRST programs.  While working in the classroom,  Faith completed a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Masters of Science in Human Resource Management.  Faith is passionate about STEAM education, and the development of best practices to integrate these programs into classrooms around the globe.   

FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future.  FIRST® program focus on inspiring youth to become science & technology leaders & innovators, by engaging them in exciting, experiential, Mentor, and project-based programs that teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities.  FIRST® progression of programs consist of FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition.  

The middle and high school levels of FIRST programs have a variety of skill-building both technical and foundational/transferable skills, leadership opportunities, and direct tie ins with career awareness.  FIRST programs are designed using a project-based learning methodology that aligns to most state CTE frameworks for STEM, Engineering, and Manufacturing pathways.  Many FIRST participants build skills at the professional level and are prepared to take a variety if industry certifications in computer science, computer-aided design, and project management.  Additionally, there is a tremendous amount of awareness around post-secondary career pathways from internship opportunities and scholarships provided through FIRST to pursue STEM collegiate programs.