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