FIRST Robotics

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

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 mid-April.   There are approximately 1800 FRC teams in 12 countries, and there are currently 22 teams in SC.   The FRC game for 2010, Breakaway, involves herding and kicking soccer balls, scoring them in goals, driving through tunnels and over bumps, and parking on or hanging from a tower.

Click here to go to our page on 2010 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Teams in South Carolina.

Here are some unofficial but useful internet resources related to the FRC competition:

• Chief Delphi (www.chiefdelphi.com)
• FIRST Wiki (www.firstwiki.net)
• The Blue Alliance (www.thebluealliance.net)

Be sure to check out the FRC Director's Blog as well.

FIRST Tech Challange (FTC)

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), formerly FIRST Vex Challenge, 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 mid-April.   There are approximately 1300 FTC teams.   The FTC game for 2009/2010 is called Hot Shot!.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is the FIRST robotics program for ages 9-14.   Each year, teams of up to 10 students use the LEGO MINDSTORMS platform to design, build, and program a robot for a set of challenges based on a timely theme.   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 mid-April.   There are more than 14,000 FLL teams worldwide.   The FLL challenge for 2009/2010 is called Smart Move.

Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL)

Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL) is FIRST robotics program for ages 6-9.   Teams of no more than 6 students design and construct a model using LEGO elements.   The challenge is announced in September, and events are held from November to June.