What is FRC?

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals.

FIRST redefines winning for these students. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.

What is unique about the FRC program?

• It is a sport where the participants play with the pros and learn from them
• Designing and building a robot is a fascinating real-world professional experience
• Competing on stage brings participants as much excitement and adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments
• The game rules are a surprise every year

How does FRC work?

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) stages short games played by remote-controlled robots. The robots are designed and built in 6 weeks (out of a common set of basic parts) by a team of 10 to 20 high-school-aged young people and a handful of engineers-mentors. The students pilot the robots on the field. Each school year, teams are formed in the fall. Competitions take place in March and April. FRC Regional events are typically held in university arenas. They involve 40 to 70 teams cheered by thousands of fans over two and a half days. A championship event caps the season. Referees oversee the competition. Judges present awards to teams for design, technology, sportsmanship and commitment to FIRST. The Chairman’s Award is FIRST’ s highest honor.

What is needed to start a team:

• A few engineers or other professional volunteers (3 to 6) encouraged by their company’s senior management
• 10 o 20 high-school-aged young people led by an adult mentor, ideally supported by the school and a group of parent volunteers

What is needed to host an FRC Regional Competition:

• Funding ($150,000 to $200,000) raised from corporations, foundations, individuals and Administrations
• Volunteers to organize, raise funds, recruit new teams and support the competition itself (judges, referees, announcers, security, etc.)

What has been accomplished to date:

• Since 1989, FRC has grown from 28 teams involved to over 1,100 today
• 87% of the high schools and their company mentors have stayed involved year after year
• The positive impact on student interest in engineering is proven
• Participants have learned the great value of teamwork, self-starting, character, time-management, speed, etc.
• In most schools, participation in FRC has had a broad positive impact beyond the team itself. FRC is one of the varsity sports in yearbooks
• Volunteers enjoy participation year after year
• The major media provide coverage of FIRST and the impact of FRC

Impact - Brandeis University Study

Recently, Brandeis University’s Center for Youth and Communities conducted an independent, retrospective survey of FIRST Robotics Competition participants and compared results to a group of non-FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, including math and science. Highlights of the study’s findings include:

When compared with the comparison group, FIRST students are:

• More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering.
• Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year.
• Significantly more likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree.
• More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology.
• Nearly 4 times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering.