FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to 120 pounds (54 kg) that can complete a task, which changes every year. While teams are given a standard set of parts, they are also allowed a budget and encouraged to buy or make specialized parts as long as they conform to FIRST safety rules. Game details are revealed at the beginning of January and the teams are given six weeks to construct a competitive robot that can operate autonomously as well as when guided by wireless controls, to accomplish the game's tasks.

Team members typically spend time designing strategies to play the game, drawing up ideas for robot parts, working with size and weight constraints, and finally, building and assembling their robot. Other challenges include gaining driver experience, building the electronics for the robot, and software development.1

Details

 * Teams consist of:
 * Around 10-30 highschool students
 * Mentors with various backgrounds
 * A coach
 * Eligibility:
 * High school student, grade 9 to 12
 * Students usually must attend the team's school


 * Schedule:
 * Pre-Season - September through December
 * Build Season - January through February (6 weeks)
 * Competition Season - March through April

Contact
Contact the individual team you are interested in joining.

Local Teams Active in 2014

 * Team 1711, Traverse City Central High School, Traverse City
 * Team Website:
 * Team 1896, Manufacturing Technology Academy, Traverse City
 * Team 3688, Suttons Bay High School, Suttons Bay
 * Team Website:
 * Team 3767, Traverse City West Senior High School, Traverse City
 * Team 3886, Traverse City West Senior High School, Traverse City
 * Team 4398, St. Francis High School, Traverse City
 * Team Website:
 * Team 4983, Mancelona High School, Mancelona
 * Team Website:
 * Team 5110, Elk Rapids High School, Elk Rapids

Related Programs

 * Traverse City District FRC Competition