FIRST Robotics Competition

The 2024 Season is HERE!

Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us. During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm, we will celebrate the roles our STEM skills play in the arts and design and build a world of endless possibilities. The future is yours to create.

Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of STEM, FIRST® Robotics Competition (ages 14-18) teams use sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed, alliance-based game on a themed field. With professional mentors and sponsors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills that they can apply to real-world situations today and in the future. Using Gracious Professionalism, each team creates a team identity, raises funds to meet its goals, and works to promote STEM in their community.

In CRESCENDO℠ presented by Haas, a new challenge debuting January 6, 2024, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills and creative power to entertain and move the world.

The Program

The FRC Challenge is usually released in January. Teams meet at least twice a week and participate in regional competitions until April. During this time period, teams are welcome to test and adjust their robot in order to complete certain goals.

  • Robot Game: Teams design and build a robot that competes on a field that equates to a basketball court. On alliances of three, teams work together to score as many points as possible before the time runs out. If they score more points than the opposing alliance, they win the match.
  • Community Outreach: Teams connect with both their local and engineering communities.  Outreach occurs in many ways, such as; starting and mentoring other FIRST teams, demonstrating robotics at the local library or company, volunteering in a school, and volunteering at an official FIRST competition. There are an infinite number of other possibilities.

How to Start a Team

Teams come in all shapes and sizes, but here are some basic requirements:

  • Two or more adult mentors with both technical and non-technical expertise willing and motivated to “coach” the team through the build and competition season
  • 10 or more high school-aged students willing to put in time after school and to do any job the team needs to succeed
  • A suitable meeting place
  • A suitable space to design and build an industrial-sized robot (about 150 lbs.), that has access to a variety of machine shop power tools
  • A standard kit of parts and a common set of rules issued by FIRST
  • A community sponsor(s) that will help fund your efforts and provide other support
  • The desire to learn, explore, strategize, build comradery, share ideas and talents, make new friends, be accepted, and HAVE FUN! 

FINDING AN EXISTING TEAM
Due to our partnership with FIRST, we are unable to place students on teams or share coach contact information.

  • Ask at your school, local Community Education, 4-H groups, scouts or other youth groups.

FORMING A TEAM
Teams may be formed through an organization or simply a group of friends.

  • Recruit coaches and/or co-coaches. Two coaches per team and no experience is necessary! Coaches only need a desire to learn, have fun and work with the students, NOT a background in engineering or computer programming.

REGISTERING YOUR TEAM
Registration is a two-step process: register nationally THEN locally

  • National Registration with FIRST opens yearly in May.
  • Is there something in Oklahoma for this?

Oklahoma FRC Challenge Season

The 2025 season schedule will be coming fall 2024!

How Much Does it Cost?

The annual fee for team registration, event registration and the robot kit of parts, and event participation is $6,000.  This fee is paid directly to FIRST headquarters.

Additional costs for travel, food, team shirts, equipment and machinery, shop supplies, build materials and stock, and other optional items will vary by team.

There are frequently grants available in our region to cover most or all of the registration costs. Teams often fundraise, run camps and apply for additional grants to help pay the rest of their costs.