FIRST Robotics Challenge

About FRC

Our FRC team Is a chance for students to experience the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, design/build and program 120 lb robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. By working alongside dedicated professional engineers, teachers and other volunteers, these students are given opportunities to experience science, technology, engineering and math in a way that no classroom can provide– with the sincere hope that they will go forward to become professionals in these disciplines themselves.

FRC Season at a Glance

KICKOFF

Kickoff marks the beginning of the design and build season. The first Saturday in January, the robot specifications and game challenges are released. Teams meet at "local" Kickoffs to compare notes, get ideas, make friends, learn the game, pick up the Kit of Parts, and gear up for the exciting competition season.

DESIGN

BRAINSTORM: Students determine strategy to play the game and robot chassis and scoring features
PROTOTYPE: Prototyping to validate & justify our crazy ideas. Typically this starts with cardboard and blocks of wood. Team rule is to FAIL FAST and move onto something else if an idea does not work!
CAD: We use SolidWorks to design robot parts, ensure the parts mesh together & remain within the 120 lb limit.

PUTTING THE ROBOT TOGETHER

BUILD: Manufacturing parts and assembling the robot chassis and scoring mechanisms
PROGRAM: Giving our robot a brain. Controlling the robot detection & reaction in a given environment based on input from sensors & joy sticks.
ELECTRONICS: Adding sensors , motor controllers, limit switches and more so our robot can sense the world around it and react

RREPEAT

TESTING/REFINING: Testing and refining/fixing the features that do not function as planned
Compete at local, State and World Championship events. HAVE FUN!