FIRST Tech Challenge

FIRST Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers as they design, build and code robots to compete in an alliance-based format against other teams. Robots are built using a reusable platform, powered by Android technology and can be programmed at various levels using Java-based coding.

2024-2025 Season

INTO THE DEEP takes teams on an underwater-inspired robotics adventure! This season challenges students to design, build and program robots to navigate a deep-sea-themed competition field, completing tasks that simulate ocean exploration and resource collection. Get ready to dive into problem-solving, teamwork and advanced robotics in INTO THE DEEP!

FAQ

How long is the FTC season?

Each September, FIRST announces the game challenge to FTC teams at Kickoff. Qualifying Tournaments and Regional & State Championships occur from October through March. While the busiest months are fall and winter, many teams meet in the off-season to learn new skills, recruit new members and prepare for the next year.

How can my child join an FTC team?

There are two main ways your child can get involved in an FTC team: join an existing team or start a new one. Start by checking if there are local teams currently accepting new members. You can reach out to us or to FIRST Wisconsin—the official FTC program delivery partner in our state—as we may know of teams looking for students. If your child wants to start their own team, all it takes is two students to get started (though a few more will help share the workload). You'll also need at least one adult to serve as a coach or mentor. Once your team is ready, you can register through the national FIRST organization at www.firstinspires.org.

What is the time commitment to being on a team?

The time commitment for an FTC team can vary depending on the team's goals and schedule. Most teams meet 2–3 times per week during the main season (September through February), with each meeting lasting 1.5 to 3 hours. As competitions approach, teams meet more frequently to finalize their robot, practice and prepare presentations.

In addition to meetings, team members often spend time working on tasks outside of practice—like coding, building, outreach or documenting their work.

The experience is flexible and can be tailored to the availability and commitment level of your team. Teams that start early and stay consistent often find the workload manageable and fun.

How much does it cost to have a team?

What support will teams get from BadgerBots?