FIRST Programs

FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is described by FIRST as "the varsity sport for the mind."   Beginning on kickoff day in early January, when the game for the season is announced, teams of high school students, with guidance from professional engineers and other mentors, have 6 weeks to design, fabricate, build, and program a 120-pound robot.   In March and early April, teams compete at regional events, and the Championship event is held in late April.   There are over 2300 FRC teams from around the world, and there are currently 31 teams in SC.   The FRC game for 2012, Rebound Rumble, is a very exciting game that involves collecting basketballs while negotiating the field, scoring the balls in goals, and balancing robots with partners and opponents for additional points.

FIRST Tech Challange

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), formerly FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC), is a more accessible program for teams of up to 10 high school students.   The teams design, build, and program an 18"x18"x18" robot using a modular system that can be reused from year to year.   The FTC game for each year is announced in September, and regional events are held from November through March with the World Championship taking place in late April.   There are approximately 2100 FTC teams.   The FTC game for 2011-2012 is called Bowled Over!   It involves acquiring racket balls from tubes on top of crates or from the floor, scoring those racket balls in goals and crates, stacking the crates, and rolling a bowling ball into a zone or up a ramp.

FIRST LEGO League

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is the FIRST robotics program for ages 9-14.   Each year, teams of up to 10 students participate in a Challenge based on a timely scientific theme.   Each Challenge has three components.   The first component, the Robot Game, involves using the LEGO MINDSTORMS platform to design, build, and program a robot for a set of missions based on the theme.   The other two components of the Challenge are a Project, and FLL Core Values.   The FLL challenge for each year is announced in September, and regional events are held from November through February with the World Championship taking place in late April.   There are almost 20,000 FLL teams worldwide.   The FLL challenge for 2011-2012 is called Food Factor and involves robotic missions that explore food safety.

Junior FIRST LEGO League

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) is the FIRST robotics program for ages 6-9.   Teams of no more than 6 students research a real-world challenge, design and construct a model using LEGO elements, create a poster, and make a presentation.   The challenge is announced in August, and events are held from November to May.   The Jr.FLL Challenge topic for 2011-2012 is Snack Attack.   There are about 2600 Jr.FLL Teams.