What is FTC?

The First Tech Challenge (FTC)

FTC stands for FIRST Tech Challenge

FIRST means "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology"

What is FIRST Tech Challenge?

It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!”

Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages, including Java. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships. Each season concludes with Super-Regional Championships and an exciting FIRST Championship.

What is the impact of FTC?

The positive impact on FIRST Tech Challenge participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 86% have more interest in doing well in school and 87% are more interested in attending college.

2016 FIRST Tech Challenge Impact Infographic

FIRST Tech Challenge teams get to: 

• Design, build, and program robots

• Apply real-world math and science concepts

• Develop problem-solving, collaboration, and team-building skills

• Build and become strong leaders

• Understand and practice Gracious Professionalism™

• Cooperate and compete in alliances at tournaments

• Compete for awards on and off the field

• Participate in a tiered competition that culminates at the FIRST Championship

• Qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships

• Have fun!

(FIRST Tech Challenge Impact youtube video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvt3aAu6mzg)

Gracious Professionalism

Gracious professionalism encourages high-quality work while emphasizing the value of working with others and respecting individuals and the community.  With gracious professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.  Gracious professionals learn to compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.  Instead of cut-throat competition, FIRST believes in coopertition®,  which is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition.  Coopertition® involves learning from teammates, teaching teammates, learning from mentors, managing others, and being managed.  Coopertition® means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can.