What is FTC?

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition for middle school, high school, and sometimes college-age students, created by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

What it is: Teams design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robots are typically about 18" x 18" x 18" in size.

Programming & Building: Teams use a robotics kit (commonly with Android phones, REV Robotics hardware, or LEGO components) and program using languages like Java or Blocks.

The Game: Each year, FIRST releases a new game challenge, with specific field elements, tasks, and scoring rules. Teams must strategize how their robot can best earn points.

Competition Structure: Matches are played in alliances of two teams versus two other teams. Robots go through an autonomous period (driven by pre-programmed instructions) and a driver-controlled period.

Skills Beyond Robotics: FTC emphasizes teamwork, engineering documentation, outreach, and innovation, not just winning matches. Teams maintain engineering notebooks, present to judges, and can win awards for design, innovation, or community impact.

Global Reach: It’s part of the larger FIRST progression of programs (with FIRST LEGO League for younger students and FIRST Robotics Competition for larger high school robots) and has participants worldwide.

What You’ll Learn in FTC

• STEM Skills – Design, build, and program robots using real-world engineering tools.
  
  

• Problem-Solving – Tackle challenges, think creatively, and learn how to fail forward.
  
  

• Teamwork – Work in alliances, share ideas, and collaborate like a real project team.
  
  

• Leadership & Communication – Present to judges, manage projects, and tell your team’s story.
  
  

• Professional Skills – Document work, manage deadlines, and gain experience valued by colleges and employers.
  
  

• Community Impact – Give back through outreach, mentoring, and spreading STEM in your community.