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Getting Started with FRC·Lesson 8 of 28

FIRST Core Values: Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition

The two ideas that define FIRST behavior — and the broader set of core values judged across all FIRST programs.

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Culture is engineered into FRC

Most competitions have a code of conduct. FIRST goes further: it builds its values into the rules, the awards, and even the scoring. Two terms you'll hear constantly:

Gracious Professionalism

Gracious Professionalism (GP) is a term coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. The core idea: fierce competition and mutual gain can coexist. You compete with everything you have, then help the team you just beat fix their robot for the next match. GP is not about being soft — it's about being excellent and kind at the same time.

Classic examples of GP in action:

  • Lending a spare motor, battery, or part to a rival before a match.
  • Sharing CAD designs and code publicly so other teams can learn.
  • Congratulating opponents sincerely, win or lose.
  • Cheering for a great play by the other alliance.

Coopertition

Coopertition (cooperation + competition) is the philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with one another even as they compete. It shows up directly in the rules: recent games award a Coopertition Bonus when both alliances complete a shared task. In 2025 REEFSCAPE, both alliances processing enough Algae in the Processor earned each side a Coopertition Bonus that lowered their ranking thresholds. The game literally rewards you for helping your opponent succeed.

The full FIRST Core Values

Across all FIRST programs, the official Core Values are:

  • Discovery — we explore new skills and ideas.
  • Innovation — we use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
  • Impact — we apply what we learn to improve our world.
  • Inclusion — we respect each other and embrace our differences.
  • Teamwork — we are stronger when we work together.
  • Fun — we enjoy and celebrate what we do.

These aren't just for FLL. They underpin FRC's judged awards.

Why this is rewarded, not just expected

FRC's most prestigious honors are culture awards, not robot-performance awards:

  • The FIRST Impact Award (called the Chairman's Award from 1992 to 2022) is the highest honor in FRC, recognizing the team that best embodies FIRST's mission and impact in its community.
  • The Woodie Flowers Award honors an outstanding mentor who teaches and inspires through communication.
  • The Dean's List recognizes outstanding student leaders.

Winning these can matter as much as — or more than — winning matches.

What this means for you

As a new student, the fastest way to be valued on a team is to live these values: show up, help others, share what you learn, and stay positive under pressure. Robots break; gracious people don't.

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Key takeaways

  • Gracious Professionalism (coined by Woodie Flowers) means competing fiercely while respecting and helping others; Coopertition means cooperating even while competing — and is rewarded in the rules via the Coopertition Bonus.
  • The official FIRST Core Values are Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun.
  • FRC's highest honors (the FIRST Impact Award, formerly Chairman's; Woodie Flowers Award; Dean's List) reward culture and mentorship, not just robot performance.

Go deeper

Lesson quiz

Required

Answer all 3 questions correctly to complete this lesson.

1.In FIRST, what does 'Coopertition' describe?

2.Which statement best captures FIRST's idea of 'Gracious Professionalism'?

3.The FIRST Core Values include Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and which other value?

Answer every question to submit.