FIRST®, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is an International non-profit organization dedicated to growing the next generation of science and technology leaders by engaging youth in robotics with fun and exciting competitive events for diverse teams of students. Even though FIRST is a program offering robotics competitions, it is "more than robots" with a focus on the Core Values of Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, fostering teamwork and collaboration, with participants modeling Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition in all activities. 

Each program level allows for bigger robots and more complex engineering and design. Java The Hutts is part of FIRST Tech Challenge, or FTC, which is for students ages 12-18 or grades 7-12. Teams of up to 15 students work together to design, build, and program an 18"x18" robot to operate both autonomously and driver-controlled, competing on a 12'x12' field in a 2v2 alliance format to score the most points in a 2 minute and 30 second match. The game changes each year and is released the first Saturday in September. Teams analyze the  scoring elements, game parameters, and rules to determine their strategy and robot design, which will typically evolve over the course of the season.