More than building robots
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE
It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, 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 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 eligible to apply for $80M+ in college scholarships.
Each season concludes with regional championship events and an exciting FIRST Championship.
Getting Started
The really cool thing about FIRST Tech Challenge is...all skill levels are welcomed and needed, technical or non-technical. Student and adult team members are encouraged to bring any skills they already have, like coding, electronics, metalworking, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and more. Adult coaches guide students as they gain skills and confidence in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Class Pack: A larger, flexible curricular option for up to 24 students in the classroom or after-school programming. Students will create a robot and utilize tools for self-growth in technical skill development and engineering design. Each semester of the course culminates in an event where students present what they've learned and use their robot to compete in a class mini-game.
Individual Team: Guide a team of up to 15 students as they work together to design, build, and program a robot by exploring advanced engineering concepts, brainstorming innovative ideas, and developing career-ready practices. Participants have access to over $80 million in scholarships to colleges, universities, and technical programs.
Google Grant for Georgia FTC Teams
GeorgiaFIRST, with support from Google, is excited to offer a grant to support FIRST Tech Challenge teams for the 2024-2025 school year. Google's priority with this funding is to reduce barriers and increase FIRST Tech Challenge participation of middle school-aged students who are under resourced or have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The Grant is open to Rookie as well as Veteran teams that have middle school age students on their team and meet one of several other criteria.
Learn more about the grant offering and apply for funding for your team here https://forms.gle/BFpxQEPHKcBD8z6j6
FTC Leagues in Georgia
FTC has teams all over the state of Georgia, some associated with schools and others operating independently. Teams in Georgia compete using a League system, eventually coming together for a larger, State Championship. To find out more about the Tournament system in Georgia, click the link below.
Georgia FTC Planning Committee
Left to Right: Mikhail Lovell, Janice Schaag, Thilaka Rajakumar, Linda Pham, Eric Richardson, Lori O’Neal, Teresa Bukovics, Paul Hazzard, Robert May, Monish Patil, Teri Verhine, Georgia Clark, Crockett Clark (front center)
For more information…
Robert May
For information about FIRST Tech Challenge teams in Georgia or to start, mentor or sponsor a team.