FIRST Tech Challenge Links and Resources
Here are links to the official FIRST Tech Challenge resources to get you started in the right direction:
- Facebook:
- FIRST: https://www.facebook.com/FIRSTOfficial/
- FIRST Tech Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/FTCTeams/
- Discord: https://discord.gg/RrKMknf
- FTC Game Forum: http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forum.php
- YouTube:
- FIRST: https://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTWorldTube
- FIRST Tech Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTTechChallenge
- Twitter:
- FIRST: https://twitter.com/firstweets
- FIRST Tech Challenge: https://twitter.com/FTCTeams
- Blog: http://firsttechchallenge.blogspot.com/
- Main website: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc
SoCal Region:
- Read about League Play: https://socalftc.org/leagues/league-information/
- Sign up (mentors, teams, and parents) for Robot Tuesday (regular e-newsletter). Coming soon!
- Follow LAFTC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Los.Angeles.FIRST.Tech.Challenge
Game Description and Manuals:
- Game Manual Part 1 – Rules for robot design, judged awards, general game rules for 2023-2024 events. https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/game-manual-part-1-remote.pdf
- Game Manual Part 2 – 2023/2024 Season version now available! https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info
- One-Page Game Description – 2023/2024 Season version now available! https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info
Registering and Buying Stuff:
- Team Registration and Youth Protection: https://my.firstinspires.org/AccountManager/Account/Register
- FTC Field Parts, Game Elements and Robot Parts and Supplies Available From AndyMark: Link to AndyMark/FTC Page
- Grants: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/grants
Guides:
- FTC Forum – Key place to find out what has changed since the Manuals. http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/
- Youth Protection Guide — http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/about/FIRST-YPP-ProgramGuide.pdf
- Mentor Manual – Nearly everything you need to know to be a coach or mentor for an FTC Team. 2020/2021 Season version coming after September 12th! https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/mentor-manual.pdf
- Engineering Notebook Guidelines – 2020/2021 Season version coming after September 12th! http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/engineering-notebook-guidelines.pdf
- Sample Team Budget – 2020/2021 Season version coming after September 12th! https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/sample-budget.pdf
- FTC Fundraising Guide – What team couldn’t use more funding. This guide is full of ideas on how to raise it. 2020/2021 Season version coming after September 12th! http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/ftc-fundraising-guide.pdf
Helpful Resources for Students:
- Guide to Successful University Interviews
- Benefits of a Career Plan
Scholarships
FIRST offers access to millions of dollars in scholarships for participants. Check out the Scholarships page on firstinspires.org for scholarship information and opportunities!
FIRST Tech Main Links
Navigating the FIRST® Website: Useful Links Listed below are all pages that FIRST® Tech Challenge Teams may require both throughout their competition season, and during the off-season. Make sure to bookmark the pages you feel would best help you and your Team! If you still find that you require additional help, feel free to reach out to the FIRST HQ team at ftcteams@firstinspires.org.
Overview Pages | |
---|---|
FIRST Webpage | www.firstinspires.org |
FIRST Tech Challenge main page | www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc |
Game Materials – Includes all the season materials, including the Game Manuals, link to the Forum, Forum Answered Questions, Field instructions, and link to buy field element. | http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info |
Getting Started | |
---|---|
Starting a Team Resources – Includes step-by-step resources for starting an FIRST Tech Challenge team. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5281 |
Fundraising Resources – Includes resources for budgeting and fundraising, including grants and resources from the FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge Fundraising Toolkits. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5406 |
Resource Library – The location of all FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge Resources. Organized in “articles”, resources are grouped together by subject and can be saved to your personal Resource Library by clicking on the heart when signed in | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/1586 |
Team, Robots, and Technology! | |
---|---|
Team Management Resources – Includes all the resources for Mentors and Teams on running the team: the Mentor Manual, fundraising, training, Engineering Notebook, preparing for competition, Awards, and more. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5226 |
Robot Building Resources – Includes all of the resources for building the robot, including the PushBot Build Guides, Robot Wiring Guide, PTC design resources, and new technology resources. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5181 |
Technology Resources – Includes all resources for the new Android-based technology, including programming resources, Troubleshooting Guides, link to the Forum, etc. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5291 |
Competition | |
---|---|
Preparing for Competition Resources – Includes a checklist of items and resources to ensure your team is prepared for competition. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5261 |
Events Search Portal – Find local events (from tournaments to workshops and scrimmages). | http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search |
FIRST Tech Challenge Dean’s List – Every registered FIRST Tech Challenge Team is able to nominate 2 students (10th or 11th grade) to be recognized for their leadership and dedication to FIRST. Learn more about this amazing award! | http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/deans-list |
Volunteer Resources – Includes all volunteer training manuals and instructions for accessing the Schoology training. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5146 |
Super-Regional Championships – Information regarding the four U.S. based Super-Regional Championships. | http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/super-regional-championship-tournaments |
Outreach and Social Media | |
---|---|
Outreach & Marketing Resources – Includes resources and links to resources, virtual badges, marketing materials and team recruitment resources. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5246 |
Links to Social Media – All FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media pages. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/4511 |
World Championship Results & Hall of Fame –Location of all previous World Championships winners. | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5356 |
Beyond the Competition | |
---|---|
FIRST Tech Challenge in the Classroom Resources –Many FIRST Tech Challenge Mentors and Coaches are also teachers in the classroom. Find additional resources here | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5231 |
FIRST Scholarships – Be proactive and start looking at what scholarships are available! | http://www.firstinspires.org/node/1556 |
FIRST Alumni & Internships – FIRST participants are able to search out internships made available for students who have participated in high school level FIRST programs. Network with the FIRST Alumni page and ensure you are always connected even after graduating from FIRST Tech Challenge. | http://www.firstinspires.com/alumni-and-internships |