Levels of First
Since FIRST began in 1989 with the FIRST Robotics Competition, it has grown to include participation at almost all ages. Kids as young as 1st grade can now be involved through Junior FLL!
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
As the "varsity sport for the mind," FRC combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand" (go Hammerheads!), design and build a robot, create 30 second animated videos and spread the message of FIRST to their community. They will also have to utilize their teamwork skills, by building and programing a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It's as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team to success.
High school students get to:
- Learn from professional engineers
- Build and compete with a robot of their own design
- Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware
- Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
- Earn a place at the World Championship
- Qualify for close to $12 million in college scholarships
Team 226, the Hammerheads, is excited to be a part of the FRC. Although we support events and teams in all levels of FIRST, this is our ocean of FIRST. Would you like to dive in with us?
The Game
Every year, FIRST releases a challenge with a set of rules for teams to compete under. The details of this game are released at the Kickoff event. The teams then have a six week period to build a robot including designing, programming, and manufacturing. Click here for the 2012 Game - Rebound Rumble.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
FTC is designed for those who want to compete head-to-head using a sports model. Teams of up to ten students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against 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 well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
Middle and high school students get to:
- Design, build, and program TETRIX robots
- Apply real-world math and science concepts
- Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills
- Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
- Earn a place at the World Championship
- Qualify for close to $7 million in college scholarships
FIRST Lego League (FLL)
FLL introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
Elementary and middle-school students get to:
- Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology
- Apply real-world math and science concepts
- Research challenges facing today's scientists
- Learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills
- Participate in tournaments and celebrations
- Earn a place at the World Championship
What FLL teams accomplish is nothing short of amazing. It's fun, exciting, and the skills they learn will last a lifetime.
Junior FIRST Lego League (Jr.FLL)
Jr.FLL is the newest program in FIRST which introduces the youngest students to the exciting worlds of science and technology. Just like FLL, this program features a real-world challenge, to be solved by research, critical thinking, and imagination. Guided by adult coaches, students work with LEGO elements and moving parts to create solutions and present them for review.
Younger elementary school students get to:
- Design and build challenge solutions using LEGO elements
- Apply real-world math and science concepts
- Research challenges facing today's scientists
- Learn team-building and presentation skills
- Develop Show-Me posters