FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is an international robotics competition where students design, build, and program robots to compete in an annual engineering challenge.

Students work in teams to solve real-world engineering problems while learning skills such as programming, mechanical design, teamwork, and public speaking.

No experience is required.

Students join the team with a wide variety of interests and skill levels. Many students learn programming, engineering, and design for the first time through robotics.

The team provides opportunities for students to learn and grow throughout the season.

Robotics is a year-round program that requires a consistent time commitment from students.

Team meetings are held after school from 3:30–6:30 PM on Mondays and Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12:00–5:00 PM. These meetings are when students design, build, and program the team’s competition robot.

Competitions typically take place on Saturdays from approximately 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Students are expected to attend competitions when scheduled.

Throughout the school year, the team also participates in outreach and fundraising events, which may take place after school or on weekends.

Robotics is designed to be accessible to students, and the team works to keep costs as low as possible through sponsorships and fundraising.

Students are responsible for a few required items:

• TUHSD Athletic Fee ($50) – Paid through the school’s activities program. This helps cover team registration and competition fees.

• Team Uniform ($50) – Students purchase and keep their own team uniform, which includes a purple team shirt and a dinosaur onesie worn at competitions and outreach events.

• ServSafe Food Handler’s Card ($15) – Required for students to participate in certain fundraising events involving food service.

• REAL ID or Arizona Travel ID ($25) – Required for students to attend events held on military bases (such as Luke Air Force Base) and for certain travel opportunities.

Students should also plan to bring meal money for dinner when traveling home from competitions.

Additional competition travel costs may occasionally arise, but the team works to offset these through fundraising and sponsorship support whenever possible. 

If cost is a concern, scholarships are available to help cover some or all of these expenses. Our goal is to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating in robotics.

At FTC competitions, teams:

• compete in matches using the robot they designed and built

• work with alliance partners during gameplay

• present their engineering design process to judges

Competitions are exciting events where students can showcase their work and learn from other teams.

Most competitions take place within Arizona and may require travel to other cities within the state. Some events may involve overnight stays depending on location and event schedules. Travel details and required paperwork will always be communicated with families in advance.

Most FIRST Tech Challenge competitions take place within Arizona. However, teams that perform well at qualifying events may advance to higher levels of competition.

Teams that qualify at the state level may be invited to attend the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas, a four-day international event held each spring that brings together top teams from around the world.

Teams may also have the opportunity to attend FIRST Premier Events, which are larger competitions that bring together top teams from multiple regions.

Qualification for these events is highly competitive and not guaranteed, but if the team earns an invitation, travel details and expectations will be communicated with families well in advance.

Student safety is a top priority.

During meetings and competitions:

• students are supervised by the coach and approved school chaperones

• safety guidelines are followed when using tools and equipment

• students follow school rules and the FIRST Robotics Code of Conduct

Travel and overnight accommodations follow school district policies.

Parents can support Az-Tech Robotics in many ways, including:

• attending competitions and events

• helping with outreach activities

• supporting fundraising efforts

• connecting the team with potential sponsors or mentors

Parent involvement helps strengthen the robotics program and support student success.

Robotics competitions require preparation and teamwork, so students who attend competitions are typically those who have been actively contributing to the robot’s design, programming, outreach efforts, and team responsibilities.

Factors that may be considered when determining competition participation include:

• meeting attendance and participation

• completion of assigned tasks

• academic eligibility

• adherence to team expectations and code of conduct

Our goal is to provide meaningful opportunities for students who are actively engaged in the team’s work.

Students are welcome to explore robotics and learn more about engineering and teamwork. If a student decides robotics is not the right fit for them, they can step away from the team.

However, robotics is a team-based engineering program, so students are encouraged to communicate with the coach if they are struggling with time commitments or responsibilities so we can help them find a role that fits their interests and schedule.

Students are encouraged to be involved in school activities. However, robotics is a year-round team program that requires consistent participation.

District policy allows students to participate in only one sport per season (Fall, Winter, Spring). Because robotics operates throughout the entire school year, students who join the team are expected to remain actively engaged for the full season.

Students who choose to participate in additional clubs or activities should communicate scheduling conflicts early. If other commitments significantly impact attendance, a student may be assigned a team role with a smaller time commitment to ensure that essential responsibilities are covered.