It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (Grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.
The robot kit is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of graphical and Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are encouraged to explore future education, enlistment, and other employment pathways.
Stephen Colbert introduces Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor. Woodie shares his thoughts on some of the ways FIRST is a tool for individuals and society. Referenced materials:
Yes, they are older videos, but the people in them are worth listening to. Next time you are scrolling, stop and check out these instead. I promise that it will be a better use of your time and attention.
Each season the rules change, so it is important to read them, but the general size of the FTC bot is 18"x18"x18". Some years it can expand, other years it cannot. Mechanum drive is the most common drive train, but other exist as well. They usually inclued Shooters and Turrets and Slides and Claws and Intakes or some combination there of.
The game each year changes and thus the robots must change too, but there are themes and styles of games that generaly govern what the bots will do. Look to the past to plan for the future and remember that speed, precission, and optimization are the keys to success.