FIRST Tech Challenge: A One-of-a-Kind Classroom Tool




Without a doubt, FIRSTTech Challenge is a one-of-a-kind classroom tool. What other program covers the majority of the major educational standards, incorporating widely accepted teaching strategies such as digital literacy, while also encouraging students to apply what they are learning in a creative way to prepare them to be leaders of the future? 

One of the most important qualities humans possess as a species is our creativity, and FIRST celebrates that quality in all four programs. The engineering process runs on creative thinking, questioning, developing, and evaluating.

Teaching is a creative process that requires time and resources. Approximately 65% of FTC coaches and mentors are also classroom teachers which means they are spending a lot of time facilitating student learning. We are proud to assist our Teacher Mentors in achieving their goals by providing grants to support teams, teaching tools for use in the classroom, and professional development resources. 

Here is a quick run-through of many of the awesome resources we�ve provided to Mentors and Teams already that can be used to bring FTC in the classroom.

Resources for Using FTC in the Classroom
Starting a Team:
FTC Starting a Team Webpage

How to Get a Team in your School Information and Promotional Materials(.zip)

New Teacher Mentors Resource List

Demonstrating Standards Alignment:
FIRST Standards Alignment Report (2012)

FTC Standards Alignment Map (2015)

FTC and Community Colleges

Coaching and Mentoring Teams:
Mentor Manual

Intelitek Training Modules

Building Teams that Build Robots

Gracious Professionalism Blog

Building Robots:
PushBot Build Guide (sectioned .zip)

FTC Robot Wiring Guide


Assessment:
Control Award Instructions and Control Award Content Sheet

Robot Self-Inspection Checklist

FTC Team Judging Session Self-Reflection


Team Member and Alumni Opportunities:
FIRST Internship Portal

FIRST Scholarship Program

Professional Development:
FTC Robotics for Coaches and Mentors Course

Gear Up with FTC!: Virtual Summer Conference

FTC Ask an Expert Training

Intelitek Training Modules

FTC Forum Classroom Resources


Affordable, accessible, cutting edge, and fun. Yup, that�s FTC. Bringing robots into your classroom might sound like a good idea, but bringing FTC into your classroom is the real no-brainer: you will see amazing results!

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