Why start a FIRST team?
By starting a FIRST team, a high school can literally change the lives of hundreds of students. FIRST robotics competitions help students get excited about science and technology, inspiring many to pursue careers in those fields.
Add to that the relationships FIRST team members establish with their mentors and the challenge and fun of building a robot, and you have a recipe for learning that is unlike any other out there.
Who do I talk to if I am interested in starting a FIRST Robotics team at my school?
You will most likely need the support of the school administration and the school Principal. Talk to the Principal about what FIRST is and and direct him or her to the FIRST Website for more information. You will also need to find someone knowledgeable about electronics, programming, and building things (if that isn't already you).
How many teachers should help with a FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team?
You will need at least 1 teacher to act as the team's chief advisor, but don't stop there. Get as many teachers involved as you can.
How much does it cost to enter a FRC competition?
The entry fee for an initial regional is currently $6000. At some regionals, rookie teams can apply for a grant to cover this expense. Each additional regional is $4000 and participation in the National Championships is $5000.
What other robotics competitions are there besides FRC?
FIRST hosts 3 other robotics competitions, FIRST LEGO League, Junior FIRST LEGO League, and FIRST Vex Challenge. The LEGO competitions are for elementary to middle school students while the Vex Challenge is for high school students.
KIPR (Kiss Institiute for Practical Robotics) hosts Botball, a LEGO based competition for middle and high school students.
MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) hosts a very unique type of robotics competition. These robots operate underwater and are controlled by human operators above the water.
Other competition events can be found here.
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