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A global robotics program preparing young people to the future
A global robotics program preparing young people to the future
A global robotics program preparing young people to the future

About FIRST® Tech Challenge

Robots, cooperation, and competition! Is there a more promising formula for learning?

FIRST® Tech Challenge is designed to bring students (ages 12-18) together in competition and cooperation. How? Using a sports model, but with a twist. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in rotating alliances against other teams. They build microwave-size robots and program them using a blocks-based (visual) or text-based coding language.

Picture this! Teams of students (up to 15 team members), guided by adult mentors and coaches, strategize and build robots based on sound engineering principles, such as rapid prototyping. Registered teams can attend regional and national competitions to earn awards, not just for the competition, but also community outreach, robot design, and other valuable accomplishments. They gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program.

What it offers

More Than Robots®
It’s way more than building robots. Guided by coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills, practice engineering principles, embrace teamwork, and learn the value of innovation and perseverance. They create team identities, serve as STEM ambassadors in their communities, and solve complex problems, gaining critical skills and confidence for future success and life achievements.

    • Explore the creative problem-solving process within an intense, fun sports competition model.
    • Be part of an engaged and supportive community.
    • Design, build, and program robots.
    • Gain hands-on programming and rapid-prototyping experience.
    • Apply real-world math and science concepts
    • Document the engineering process.
    • Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills.
    • Compete and cooperate in Alliances at tournaments.
    • Build life skills while building robots and work towards competing in events.
    • Participants and alumni have access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life.
    • Have fun!
Get started

The really cool thing about FIRST Tech Challenge is that all skill levels are welcomed and needed, technical or non-technical. Students 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 sportive, inclusive environment.

    • Up to 15 students per team.
    • At least 2 adult mentors/coaches per team.
    • Teams use a modular robotics platform, powered by Android technology, to design, build, and compete in a FIRST-designed game.
    • Includes schools, after-school groups, civic organizations, neighborhood groups.
    • Exciting sports-like events with judges and awards.
    • Adaptable program that can be used in and out of the classroom.
    • A larger, flexible Dutch curricular option for up to 24 students in the classroom or after-school programming.

Core values

The FIRST Core Values are fundamental to FIRST and unique to its programs. They emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement and are part of our commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The FIRST community expresses the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism®and Coopertition® through the FIRST Core Values.

  • Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
  • Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
  • Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
  • Inclusion: We respect each otherand embrace our differences.
  • Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
  • Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
    • Gracious Professionalism®

    Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

    Through Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain coexist. Participants compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy. There is no trash talking, nor disingenuous platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.

    In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.

    Coopertition®

    Coopertition fosters innovation by promoting unqualified kindness and respect in the face of intense competition.

    At FIRST, Coopertition means that teams help and cooperate with each other, even as they compete. It’s about learning from teammates, teaching others, collaborating with mentors, managing and being managed. Coopertition embodies the spirit of competing while assisting and enabling others whenever possible