About the FIRST Tech Challenge

It’s way more than building robots. FIRST® Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7 to 12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.

Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.

The robot kit is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of graphical and Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are encouraged to explore future education, enlistment, and other employment pathways.

Teams compete at regional events leading up to an exciting FIRST Championship that concludes the season.

Start a FIRST Tech Challenge Team

FIRST Tech Challenge teams design and build a robot using a reusable kit of parts and compete within a common set of game rules to play an exciting field game and complete the specific season challenge. The robot game changes every season and is always a blast!

Student and adult team members are encouraged to bring any skills they already have, like programming, electronics, metalworking, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and many more. FIRST Tech Challenge welcomes every student, with or without special skills.

If you are looking to incorporate FIRST into your classroom or after-school programming, learn more about FIRST Class Pack, a flexible implementation option for up to 24 students.

Visit start a FIRST Tech Challenge Team to learn about the essential steps to starting a team!

About FIRST Tech Challenge Kahoot

A Kahoot is a self-led learning game to build and test your knowledge. FIRST has created a series of Kahoots in the areas of FIRST Tech Challenge, robots, game play, events and awards.

Visit FIRST Tech Challenge Kahoots to learn about the many facets of FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Core Values.