The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a mid-level robotics competition for high school students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. Teams use various components in a TEXTRIX kit to build a robot, which is similar to an erector set. Teams consist of a maximum of 10 students and gain valuable communication, programming, engineering, leadership, and teamwork skills, which are very important in today’s society. After completing their robot, teams compete at local and regional competitions, culminating in an international championship.
World Championship Match
The ultimate goal of FTC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering.
The program grew out of the existing FIRST Robotics Competition and the FIRST Robovation platform. FIRST, RadioShack, and Innovation First, Inc. collaborated to develop an improved version of the FIRST Robovation kit, which was used until 2007. In 2008 a new kit of parts was developed using the same NXT controller that First LEGO League (FLL) teams have been using for a number of seasons.
To learn more about FTC, click here.