FIRST® is an acronym that stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”.
FIRST was founded in 1989 to stimulate young people’s interest in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH. FIRST designs accessible and innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue an education and career in science, engineering, technology and mathematics, while building self-confidence and life skills.
FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to become leaders in technology and science by engaging them in exciting, mentor-based programs that develop skills in science and technology, encourage them to be innovative, and help them develop life skills such as leadership and communication.
The events take place all over the world with the support of volunteers. Volunteer to help young people have a great experience at these events!
- To become a volunteer and contribute to the development of young people, we kindly ask you to fill out the Fikret Yüksel Foundation – General Volunteer Form. With this form, we can keep you informed about our latest events and announcements.
You can reach Fikret Yüksel Foundation Volunteer Coordination at volunteers@fikretyukselfoundation.org for all kinds of information and communication.
You can click the button to volunteer at our FTC events and learn more about volunteer roles.
You can click the button to volunteer at our FRC events and learn about volunteer roles.
Future Events
January 16 – Game Night
To kick off the season refreshed before FRC events begin, we are organizing a Game Night for our volunteers on Friday, January 16 at 8:00 PM at in Kadıköy. The Fikret Yüksel Foundation will cover the necessary entry fee for the event.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Unfortunately, due to venue rules, we cannot invite volunteers under the age of 18 to this event. We look forward to seeing you at other events soon and thank you for your understanding 🙏🏻
Past Events
December 5 – International Volunteer Day
The Volunteer Day celebration, the last event of 2025, was held with a 90s theme. The party, held at the Perpa office, reflected the spirit of the 90s with both the music and the volunteers’ themed outfits. Small games were played during the party, and mini competitions were also held with outfits based on the 90s theme.
October 17 – Planning Committee Meet-and-Greet Event
The Fikret Yüksel Foundation Planning Committee meet-and-greet event for 2025-2026 was held. The meeting began with a review of last season’s plan and continued with each subcommittee member introducing themselves. This was followed by a pizza party and group conversation.
September 26 – Video Training
A video shooting training was conducted with a phone company that is one of our foundation partners. This training focused on short video shoots and producing the right content for social media. Due to venue capacity, the training was limited to 10 people. The event is planned to continue in the coming months.
August 26 – Photography Training
A photography training session was held with a phone company that is one of our foundation partners. This training focused on the rules for choosing the right angle and lighting. Due to the venue’s capacity, the number of participants was limited to 10. We plan to continue this event in the coming months.
On Saturday, July 19th, a picnic event titled “July Volunteer Gathering” was held at Maltepe Coast in Istanbul. The event aimed to bring together volunteers from different cities so they could meet each other, share their experiences, and enjoy a pleasant time in a social setting. At the same time, it strengthened the sense of belonging within the foundation and aimed to build a stronger community bond among volunteers.
An invitation was sent to approximately 2,000 people, and although there was no capacity limit at the coast, preparations were made for 200 participants, anticipating a 10% turnout.
The event featured icebreaker games, group discussions, thank-you speeches, and a mini award ceremony, providing social and interactive activities. The picnic was not only a gesture of appreciation but also helped boost the motivation of young people who will continue their volunteering journey and offered an inspiring experience for new participants.
Within the budget, volunteers covered their own transportation to the coast, but snacks, catering services, materials for the icebreaker games, and awards were provided by the foundation project.
We met with our volunteers at the Museum Gazhane in Kadıköy, Istanbul for the summer hello event. After a short museum visit, we had a coffee and chat with our volunteers at the café. We talked about our volunteers’ summer plans and the foundation’s plans for the next season and exchanged ideas for the next volunteer event. See you at the next events.