What is FRC?
FRC, which stands for FIRST Robotics Competition, is a program for high school students from grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). FRC teams are given a game task to accomplish, a kit of parts to use, and six weeks to build a functional robot that can compete in the game. Each year, the game changes. Each match of the game consists of 2 alliances, red and blue, made up by 3 teams per alliance. The game consists of three periods of gameplay, starting with a 30 second autonomous period where the robot performs a set of pre-programmed actions and is not driven by the team members. After the autonomous period, the rest of the game is teleoperated, or controlled by team members. The last section of the game is called the end game, where a bonus tax may be completed to earn extra points.
According to FIRST, “FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity “Sport for the Mind?” designed to help high-school-aged young people discover interesting and rewarding careers in engineering, science, and technology. FRC teams are composed of student, professional engineers, and other adult Mentors who have just six weeks to work collaboratively to design and build a robot that can compete in specially designed robot games.
At FRC Competitions, teams compete in alliances to complete the new challenge unveiled each year at the January Kickoff. Referees oversee the competition while Judges evaluate teams and present awards for design, technology, and sportsmanship. Students have a unique opportunity to test their designs under challenging circumstances while interacting with industry and business leaders who volunteer their time to help make this event happen.”
Courtesy of The Official CHAMPIONSHIP Program Guide, 2011
FRC Statistics
Over 2,000 teams
Over 50,000 students
Grades 9-12
FRC History
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1992 Maize Craze | 1993 Rug Rage | 1994 Tower Power | 1995 Ramp N’ Roll |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1996 Hexagon Havoc | 1997 Toroid Terror | 1998 Ladder Logic | 1999 Double Trouble |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2000 Co-opertition FIRST |
2001 Diabolical Dynamics |
2002 Zone Zeal | 2003 Stack Attack |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2004 FIRST Frenzy | 2005 Triple Play | 2006 Aim High | 2007 Rack ‘N’ Roll |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2008 FIRST Overdrive | 2009 Lunacy® | 2010 Breakaway® | 2011 Logo Motion™ |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2012 Rebound RumbleSM | 2013 Ultimate AscentSM | 2014 Aerial AssistSM | 2015 Recycle RushSM |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2016 FIRST StrongholdSM | 2017 FIRST STEAMworksSM | 2018 FIRST Power UpSM | 2019 FIRST Destination: Deep SpaceSM |