FIRST Tech Challenge Program

Click Quad Quandary Logo to link game challenge

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program is a mid-level robotics competition being developed to provide an opportunity for high-school students, who are too old to qualify for FLL, to participate in a similar program. Like FLL, FTC is an excellent way to experience the power, excitement, and fun of science, technology, engineering, and math and gain insights in the possibility of a technical career. Team members will be involved in the design, implementation, and programming of a robot to participate in a well defined challenge in competition and cooperation with robots from other teams. For Fall 2006/Winter 2007 season challenge was "Hangin'-A-Round". The challenge for Fall 2007/Winter 2008 season was Quad Quandary. Click on the following links for more information

• Introduction animation
• Video from another state
• Announcement from FIRST
• Frequently Asked Questions

ORTOP FTC

ORTOP FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) has been organized to provide support for local FTC competition. For Fall 2006/Winter 2008, ORTOP supported an FTC pilot program limited to 16 teams. For Fall 2007/Winter 2008 we had 31 teams. We expect further growth in the upcoming season.

See Team Registration below.

If you would like to be on ORTOP FTC email list drop a note to ftc@ortop.org

FIRST Tech Challenge

ORTOP FTAC utilizes the program developed and distributed by the FIRST Tech Challenge, in which high school age students learn to design and build robots with both radio and autonomous controlled behavior using special Vex Robotics Design System kits. The program includes a 10- to 12-week period in which the students form teams, develop robots that can perform the tasks defined in the Challenge, then compete with, and against, other teams in a state Championship. Through this process, youngsters experience the fun and excitement of solving complex problems in a positive and supportive team environment.

FIRST Tech Challenge Robot Competition Kit

The Vex Robotics Design System used previously for FTC will not be used in 2008. The FTC Robot Competition Kit, a new kit using Tetrix metal robot structure will be used by all teams. FTC kits can be purchased with FTC registration. ORTOP encourages you to read all about the new bot at the FTC blog . Valued at $4K, the FTC kit will be offered to new teams at $900 and to 2007 FTC teams at $450.

Some of the specifics include: 11 Motors (4 DC Drive, 4 Servo, 3 Lego) 10 Sensors Rechargeable Batteries 3 complete sets of software (and site licenses for classrooms) It will include a NXT LEGO Brick with 3 programming options.

Information, Pictures, Video Links:

The FTC Blog

Platform Specifics

New Platform Announcement

FTC Press Release from FIRST (April 17, 2008)

Teams

For the 2006 pilot season, ORTOP supported FTC pilot program limited to 16 teams. For the Fall 2007/Winter 2008 season, ORTOP will support up to 32 teams. Selection will be based on a first come, first served basis. See Team Registration below.

If you would like to be on ORTOP FTC email list please drop a note to ftc@ortop.org

FIRST Tech Challenge 2008 Championship Teams

Schedule

Here's a schedule of recent events. We will post the schedule for the Fall 2008/Winter 2008 season soon.

CAPITAL Center, 18640 NW Walker Road, Suite 1065, Beaverton, OR 97006

CAPITAL Center, 18640 NW Walker Road, Suite 1065, Beaverton, OR 97006

FTC Briefing

Overview of the FIRST Vex Challenge program.

FTC Practice

Opportunity for FTC teams to try their prototype robot on an actual competition field. Be sure to RSVP by email.

ORTOP FTC Tournament

See below for more info.

Team Registration and Kit Ordering

FTC Registration will open in May 2008. FTC Competition Kits can be ordered at time of registration. The FTC Robot kits ordered May, June, July and August will ship in August. There will be a separate registration for the ORTOP FTC Challenge Championship to be held in March 2009.

ORTOP FTC Team Scholarships

ORTOP has a limited amount set aside for team scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship you should print the application and submit it by November 30, 2007. Note, however, that scholarships will be awarded based on merit and need periodically before November 30, 2007, which may severely limit the number of scholarships available to those who wait until the deadline. See the end of the application for submission instructions.

Tournaments

Our FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament was held on Sunday, March 2, 2008. The location was Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Oregon. Here is a table showing teams that won awards:

Oregon FIRST Tech Challenge Team Roster - 2008 Quad Quandary

Letter to Coaches

Coaches’ FTC Championship Checklist & Guidelines

Parental Consent Form

• English
• Spanish

Map to Glencoe High School

Workshops

This hands-on workshop was designed for new coaches and adults who are considering organizing a team. You will learn how to teach team members to build and program a Vex robot. There is no cost or obligation required to attend but RSVP is required by email.

If you missed this workshop and would to enquire about whether other workshops are planned, drop a note to ftc@ortop.org

Awards

In recent seasons the major award categories were Amaze, Innovate, Think, Connect, Winning Alliance, and Inspire. We expect similar award categories for at the upcoming season.

Vex Resources

FTC Home Page
FTC Frequently Asked Questions
VexLABS
Vex Robotics Forum
Questions: Send a message to ftc@ortop.org