FIRST Robotics Competition Blog

Welcome to the FIRST Robotics Competition Blog

Your source of season information for the FIRST Robotics Competition.

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Kickoff, Teaser, and Wood Field List of Materials

Dec 16, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

I hope you have this date and time marked on whatever technology or device you use for marking dates and times: January 8th at Noon Eastern Time. 

Documentation Iteration

Dec 10, 2021 Written by Kate Pilotte, Sr. Kit of Parts Manager

Did you know that there are two game design teams in FIRST Robotics Competition?

2022 Approved Devices and Rules Preview

Dec 08, 2021 Written by Kevin O’Connor, FIRST Robotics Competition Senior Robotics Engineer

To help teams prepare for the RAPID REACTSM presented by The Boeing Company season, there are some details about the Robot Rules we thought you should know before Kickoff.

FIRST Championship Qualification

Dec 01, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

As we noted in this blog about the change to FIRST Championship for 2022, eligibility for FIRST Championship must change, given the reduced capacity.

Single-Day Event Plans, Digital Animation Award, and Safety Animation Reminder

Nov 23, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

As mentioned in this blog, some areas are hosting Single-Day Events due to local conditions. 

Let the Kit of Parts Roll

Nov 17, 2021 Written by Kate Pilotte, Sr. Kit of Parts Manager

‘Tis the season for the Kit of Parts Team. In addition to the warehouse prepping Kickoff Kits, FIRST Choice product pages are being reviewed, and voucher codes are being uploaded. What does that mean to you? Here’s the breakdown…

FIRST Championship News

Nov 15, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

Learn CAD with Onshape Learning Resources

Nov 05, 2021 Written by McKenzie Brunelle, PTC Education Outreach Programs Coordinator and FRC Team 2648 Alumna

Using CAD software is a great way to design like the pros! Creating your robot digitally first allows you to more carefully plan its design and how you will build it physically. It also allows you to “test” your robot before you even break out the hardware, saving time, money, and resources.

Skill Building Update: Intro to Programming Module

Oct 28, 2021 Written by Libby Simpson, FIRST Director of Education

In my last guest entry for the FIRST® Robotics Competition blog, I explored the need for building transferable and portable skills for life after high school. FIRST® alumni have a host of marketable skills and the first step is building the skill. The FIRST Education team has been collaborating with FIRST Robotics Competition program staff, FIRST mentors, industry partners, WPI, and educators to create a learning module to learn the basics of Java programming. 

Deadline Alerts: First Event Preferencing and Drive Base Opt-out

Oct 18, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

Remember this Wednesday, October 20, at 12 PM (Noon) Eastern Time is the deadline for your first event preference! A Wednesday deadline is a change from typical years, in which the deadline is usually Thursdays (and the change is due to COVID-related challenges).