This season's challenge is Decode. In Decode, we have to build robots that successfully launch the artifacts into the goal in a certain motif pattern. Extra points are awarded when the robot can fit inside of a square, and even more if you can fit your robot and the other robot on your team in the box. There is a round where drivers control their robot using a remote control, as well as an autonomous round where the robot is self-driving and uses a code that the programmers set up in advance.

When competing, we must show Gracious Professionalism. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community*. Some examples of Gracious Professionalism are lending teams and extra part, having good team spirit, cheering on other teams, and agreeing within your team.

However, building and programming is not the only challenge that FIRST teams must take on. There is also a branch of FIRST called Outreach, which is in control of fundraising, sponsorship, team finances, graphic design, merchandise, and making sure the community knows about FIRST and the team's mission. In order to achieve full points in competition, all of these challenges must be achieved to the team's best ability.

*This is a statement that is property of FIRST and was quoted directly from the FIRST website.