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Ages 12-18 | Grades 7-12

Get Started with FIRST® Tech Challenge

Students ages 12-18 (grades 7-12) design and build a competitive, dynamic robot from a kit of parts. A yearly themed robotics game brings a new challenge and exciting learning opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve year after year.
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FTC team with their robot

Here’s what you need to know

Explore team details, materials, and resources available to support your FIRST Tech Challenge experience. 

  • Who do I need on my team?

    Who do I need on my team?

    Anyone can join FIRST Tech Challenge regardless of previous technical experience. While there is no ideal number of students on a team, we find many teams include 8-12 students in grades 7-12. Each team needs two adult lead coaches to help guide the team throughout the season. 

    • Required: Two (2) lead coaches who facilitate the season and manage the team.
    • Required: Students with a variety of talents – no technical experience required!
    • Optional: Additional mentors who support the team (parents, teachers, engineers, FIRST alumni)
    More about teams

  • What do I need?

    What do I need?

    Every team is required to have a robotics kit to participate, which can be ordered through the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Many elements of the kit can be reused each year, but some parts may need to be replaced after a season.

    • Required: Driver Kit
    • Required: Electronics Set
    • Required: Build Kit
    • Required: Laptop or tablet 
    • Optional: Season-specific Game Set

  • How much does it cost?

    How much does it cost?

    You can start your FIRST Tech Challenge team for around $1,500, which includes the yearly registration fee and initial robotics set investment. Local events, run by FIRST Program Delivery Partners, are not included with the registration fee. 

    See pricing

  • What resources are available?

    What resources are available?

    From team management to robot building to programming, our resources will help you guide your team throughout the season.

    View resources

Who do I need on my team?

Anyone can join FIRST Tech Challenge regardless of previous technical experience. While there is no ideal number of students on a team, we find many teams include 8-12 students in grades 7-12. Each team needs two adult lead coaches to help guide the team throughout the season. 

  • Required: Two (2) lead coaches who facilitate the season and manage the team.
  • Required: Students with a variety of talents – no technical experience required!
  • Optional: Additional mentors who support the team (parents, teachers, engineers, FIRST alumni)
More about teams

What do I need?

Every team is required to have a robotics kit to participate, which can be ordered through the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Many elements of the kit can be reused each year, but some parts may need to be replaced after a season.

  • Required: Driver Kit
  • Required: Electronics Set
  • Required: Build Kit
  • Required: Laptop or tablet 
  • Optional: Season-specific Game Set

How much does it cost?

You can start your FIRST Tech Challenge team for around $1,500, which includes the yearly registration fee and initial robotics set investment. Local events, run by FIRST Program Delivery Partners, are not included with the registration fee. 

See pricing

What resources are available?

From team management to robot building to programming, our resources will help you guide your team throughout the season.

View resources
Registration Details

How do I register?

Teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico register and pay their season registration fee through the FIRST Dashboard*. Gather your Sales Tax Exemption Certificate (if applicable) and be prepared to add it to your Dashboard during the registration process.

Event participation is not included in the season registration fee and event availability varies by region.

*If you’re outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, find local support to learn about registration options.
See pricing

Steps to Register in the FIRST Dashboard 

If you’re based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, these are the steps to complete your registration. 

  • Create a FIRST account (or login if you already have an account). 
  • Create a new FIRST Tech Challenge team profile from the “My Teams” tab.
  • Select “Team’s Shopping Cart” from the main Dashboard screen and “Select to Pay PITSCO” to enter the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. 
  • In the Storefront, you’ll have the option to add the different robotics set elements and game set when you purchase your registration*. You can also return later to order more materials. 
  • Enter Storefront
    • Pay for season registration and purchase product
    • Generate a quote
  • Complete Youth Protection Screening
  • Don’t forget! Reach out to your FIRST Program Delivery Partner to register for local events (local event registration fees are set and collected by the Partner).
*If you are waiting on grant funding to cover the cost of registration. Do not purchase your registration using another method of payment.

Ready to get started?

Register for our current season in the FIRST Dashboard* or sign up to learn more about FIRST Tech Challenge.

*If you’re outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, find local support to learn about registration options.
Learn More Register Now