FIRST not only helps kids with the STEM skills, it helps with developing their soft skills – it’s creating the innovators of tomorrow.
Urvi Shah
Director of Educational Technology & Innovation, Independent Girls School, Maryland
During our rookie year, we didn't need to win awards to feel like winners. The students had already won the first time their robot threw a Frisbee through the goal!
Mike Klinker
Director of Guidance, Danville Community High School, Danville, IN
I had incredible teachers who showed me the magic of science and technology by letting me do it myself. That's what FIRST is all about.
Megan Smith
United States Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Office of Science and Technology Policy
As a Superintendent, I see the value of FIRST - it allows students to have real world experiences and see the relevance between the classroom, higher education and the workforce.
Dr. Tim Hadfield
Camdenton R-III Superintendent, Camdenton, Missouri
FIRST is so much more than robots. It allows students to not only gain technical skills but to develop soft skills that will help them be successful in college and throughout their careers.
Sherry Comer
Camdenton R-III Afterschool Services Director & National Afterschool Alliance Ambassador-Emeritus
We believe in FIRST because we believe in the positive change that comes from working together, learning together, and growing the skills that are critical to your success.
Dr. John Tracy
Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, Operations and Technology, The Boeing Company
Your participation in FIRST has uniquely prepared you to boldly tour new heights and achieve things tomorrow that may have seemed unimaginable today.
Lt Gen Brooks L. Bash
Vice Commander of Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force
Through FIRST, students build STEM skills, confidence, teamwork, public speaking skills, and make connections with professionals. They are becoming the leaders of tomorrow.
Heidi Sipe
2016 Oregon Superintendent of the Year, Umatilla School District
Community events are organized by YOU and hosted by your community. Since they are unofficial events, they can follow any format. Schools, libraries, museums, parks, gym, and arenas all make great venues for community events.
At some community events, teams get together and play a few rounds of the Robot Game using their own Challenge Sets (formerly known as Field Setup Kits). At others, teams display their Projects in a science fair-like atmosphere and invite influencers within their community to come see their proposed solutions. Teams do not have to be judged and receive awards at community events - but they can! Many community events hand out certificates in lieu of trophies. But if you’re able to raise money to have trophies, you can purchase them locally.
Have fun engaging another team in some practice, showing parents your Project and robot, or demonstrating the FIRST LEGO League Challenge in your community.
FIRST Tech Challenge Event Types
Workshop - These events can cover a variety of FIRST Tech Challenge and robotics-related topics. They are often hosted by vendors, Affiliate Partners or teams.
Kickoff - Held each September, this event is when the new season’s game is revealed. Kickoff offers the opportunity to see the game reveal live, network with other teams and strategize about the new season.
Scrimmage - A small event run by volunteers, usually a team or Affiliate Partner, good for practice and playing experience. These events can have anywhere from three to twenty teams and may not include judging and awards. These events do not qualify teams for championship tournaments. May also be called a Practice Day.
Leagues/Meets - Meets are similar to a traditional sporting event. Teams compete in smaller, more frequent competitions to gain points that will advance them to the next level tournament play. Leagues/Meets are currently in several regions and experiences may vary based on the region. Contact your local FIRST Tech Challenge representative with questions regarding these events.
Qualifying Tournament - These events are held in areas with a large number of teams. In these events, teams compete for positions at Championship Tournaments. Qualifying Tournaments adhere to FIRST standards in format, judging and awards.
Super-Qualifying Tournament - These events are held in regions with a large number of teams and/or Leagues. In these regions, teams advance from either a League Championship or Qualifying Tournament to a Super-Qualifying Tournament, and then to the regional or state Championship. Super-Qualifying Tournaments adhere to FIRST standards in format, judging, and awards.
Championship Tournament - A regional- or state-level event. U.S. Teams compete for a chance to advance to one of our two FIRST World Championship events. Championship Tournaments may require teams to advance through a Qualifying Tournament structure. Championship Tournaments adhere to FIRST standards in format, judging and awards. For the 2021-2022 season, international Championship Tournaments will also advance directly to the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship.
FIRST Championship - The culmination of the season’s FIRST programs, bringing together tens of thousands of students, mentors, and volunteers of all ages for the ultimate celebration of science and technology. To compete in this event, U.S. teams will advance from their respective regional Championship Tournaments, and international teams will also advance from their respective Championship Tournaments. View Results and Hall of Fame.
Tournament organizers reserve the right to limit the numbers of teams attending any of these tournaments. Neither FIRST nor the local organizer can guarantee a tournament in your area, even if you have registered with FIRST.
