idealtech.xyz

We�re excited to share the news that FIRST Tech Challenge will be making World Championships even louder next year! We�re expanding our footprints in both Houston and Detroit from 128 to 160 teams at each event. More teams mean more fun, and higher levels of competition from teams around the world. FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship registration fees will increase to $2,000 per team. This is the first increase in registration fees since we started the program back in 2007. The elimination of Super Regional events and those costs should help teams offset this increase. Season registration fees remain at $275, and we continue to drive down costs for rookie and veteran teams to obtain hardware and electronics. Our goal is to change the culture, inspiring more students by showing them the fun and excitement of STEM and Gracious Professionalism embedded in the FIRST culture. We do that by getting more and more students, coaches, volunteers and sponsors on board. We�re proud of the work...

FIRST Tech Challenge changes the world, one student, one mentor, one volunteer at a time. The way we do that is through our current students, mentors, and volunteers sharing the passion they have for FTC. Helping to start and support new teams is one of the most successful methods teams use to spread the word about FIRST , and the 2015-16 FIRST Tech Challenge Need-Based Hardship Grant can help.  Currently there are 400 need-based Rookie Grants left, each worth $575. This grant is available to anyone wanting to start a new FTC team, but it is a need-based, competitive grant, so the team must demonstrate need. Complete the application fully, and in the written response section, highlight the team�s need and the way the grant will help your team get started. Whenever possible, use details to support what you are saying. When teams do outreach or start and mentor other teams, it helps spread the word about FTC. This service work is recognized in three FTC awards : the Connect Aw...

The FIRST Tech Challenge community is composed of thousands of amazing teams and people. These folks are changing their own lives, their communities, and the culture of our world by celebrating STEM and spreading Gracious Professionalism . In addition to building and competing with a robot, each season teams log hundreds of hours of community service hours, demonstrating that FIRST is definitely More Than Robots . We�ve collected just a few stories of FIRST Tech Challenge teams making it loud by giving back to their communities. Since 2012, FTC Team #6055 the Gearticks have been an exhibitor at Boston�s First Night activities attended by almost a million people each year. Several FIRST teams get together to exhibit their robots and allow those new to FIRST to have a hands on experience driving robots. The Gearticks love �being able to connect with hundreds of kids and their parents and share their passion for robots. We also get the chance to hang out with other FIRST teams, di...

By Rachel Hunter Everyone knows about the gender gap and that men outnumber women in FIRST and in STEM careers. FIRST teams have been challenged to "Make It Loud" and help engage more young people in STEM activities . Girls on FIRST teams all over the world are already doing big things, and it�s time to bring those talents to the forefront and showcase them for the rest of the FIRST community. In June 2014, FTC Team 5972, The Patronum Bots , created FIRST Ladies to do just that. The intention of the FIRST Ladies community is to create a space for female members of any FIRST program to unite and learn from each other�s experiences. As the numbers grew to over one hundred before the first month was even over, it became apparent that it had the potential to do much more than that. FIRST Ladies began to expand its reach and recruit FRC and alumni partners. It began with FRC Team 3132, The Thunder Down Under, from Sydney, Australia partnering with Patronum Bots to promote the F...