The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), is a robotics competition targeted toward middle and high school-aged students. Students gain experience designing, building, and programming a robot while also managing a team.
FTC is designed for those who want to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams of up to 15 students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format with other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments. |
While the game challenge is different every year the game is always played on a 12' by 12' square or diamond field covered in rubberized floor tiles. The game is played by two alliances (red and blue) of two teams each, for a total of four robots on the field for each match. At the start of a match, the robots cannot exceed 18" in height, width or length, but can expand during play. In each match, there is an autonomous period followed by an operator-controlled period.
Along with building and programming a robot, FTC teams are required to create an 'Engineering Notebook' that documents their build season and team experience. It helps teams to reflect on positive and negative experiences and how to improve. It also shows the judges at tournaments what the teams have overcome throughout the year. |
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With additional support from:
Engineered Products Co.
Leighty Foundation
Dardis Communication
Cedar Falls Community School District
Engineered Products Co.
Leighty Foundation
Dardis Communication
Cedar Falls Community School District