The excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology

FIRST Robotics Competition

The Ultimate Sport for the Mind

High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”

Under strict rules, limited time, and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.

THE FRC IMPACT

FIRST® Robotics Competition (grades 9-12) gives teams of 10 or more high school students and their adult mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem. Challenged to design and build a robot using a standard “kit of parts” and within a common set of rules to play a sophisticated field game − with limited time − brings out the best in students and adults alike. The robot “game” changes every season and is always exciting.

Express Interest in Attending College

92%

Problem Solving Skills Increase

98%

Teamwork Skills Increase

99%

Students Get To

Learn from professional engineers
Build and compete with a robot of their own design
Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware
Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
Earn a place in the World Championship
Qualify for over $80 million in college scholarships

FIRST Robotics Competition Robots competing in an alliance at an FRC event in FIRST Chesapeake

Essential Steps To

Starting an FRC Team

We engage young people in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Woody Flowers Award Winner high-fiving a panel of former Woody Flower Award Winners in FIRST Chesapeake FRC Championship

Enlist Mentors & Coaches

Each team needs two or more adult lead coaches/mentors who are willing and motivated to coach the team through the build and competition season and beyond. Other adults can volunteer to help with administration, fundraising, community outreach, technical skills, and other tasks.

Mentor Manual

Build Your Team

Find and invite a few teammates (at least 10) who want to be part of the robotics team. Be sure to emphasize that no technical skills are required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! Recruit all kinds of talents, not just engineering and electrical.

Team Management Guide

FIRST Robotics Competition students watching their Inspire Award Winning Video played at FIRST Chesapeake FRC Championship

FIRST Robotics Competition robots aiming to score a points in FIRST Chesapeake FRC event

Grants

Budget

Guide

Fundraising

Running a FIRST Robotics Competition team is like running a small business so it’s important to set a budget. Each team’s budget will vary depending on what they are trying to accomplish and the resources in their area. Develop a team mission statement and business plan and decide what your team goals are. These will help you develop a budget and determine fundraising targets.

REGISTER & PLAY

Once registered, your team becomes a part of the worldwide FIRST Robotics Competition community. You’ll begin receiving communications from FIRST, along with your permanent team number in preparation for event registration.

Part of the registration process includes ordering the kit of parts and completing payment. (Please note that, until you click submit, you are not committed to becoming a team.)

In REEFSCAPE℠ presented by Haas, a new challenge launching January 4, 2025, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats – making waves to build a better world.

Learn More

FIRST Robotics Competition Reefscape Diver

FIRST Robotics Competition Reefscape Seaweed

FIRST Robotics Competition Reefscape Coral Reef

Fri, Feb 28
FIRST Chesapeake Glen Allen, VA FRC Event
Deep Run High School
RSVP
Feb 28, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 02, 2025, 7:00 PM
Deep Run High School, 4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059, USA
Fri, Mar 07
FIRST Chesapeake Portsmouth, VA FRC Event
Churchland High School
RSVP
Mar 07, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 09, 2025, 8:00 PM
Churchland High School, 4301 Cedar Ln, Portsmouth, VA 23703, USA
Fri, Mar 07
FIRST Chesapeake Pasadena, MD FRC Event
Chesapeake High School
RSVP
Mar 07, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 09, 2025, 8:00 PM
Chesapeake High School, 4798 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122, USA
Fri, Mar 14
FIRST Chesapeake Bethesda, MD FRC Event
Walt Whitman High School
RSVP
Mar 14, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 16, 2025, 8:00 PM
Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
Fri, Mar 21
FIRST Chesapeake Alexandria, VA FRC Event
Hayfield Secondary School
RSVP
Mar 21, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 23, 2025, 8:00 PM
Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315, USA
Fri, Mar 21
FIRST Chesapeake Blacksburg, VA FRC Event
Blacksburg High School
RSVP
Mar 21, 2025, 5:00 PM – Mar 23, 2025, 8:00 PM
Blacksburg High School, 3401 Bruin Ln, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
Thu, Apr 03
FIRST Chesapeake FRC Championship
ShowPlace Arena
RSVP
Apr 03, 2025, 5:00 PM – Apr 06, 2025, 8:00 PM
ShowPlace Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA

REEFSCAPE Events

2025 Season

Chesapeake Hubs

Chesapeake Hubs is an initiative to connect FIRST teams with other local teams who are willing to share 3D printing and machining resources.

Below is a map of Chesapeake Hubs teams who are willing to share their resources, collate lists of manufacturing capabilities for each, and provide a way to contact them.

Teams in need are able to identify nearby CHS Hubs teams, source specific needed manufacturing capabilities, and contact Chesapeake Hubs teams.

Special Thanks to Preston C. for building the platform and to FIRST Wisconsin and the FIRST Wisconsin Student Board of Directors for pioneering this initiative.

Become a Hub

Learn More

Support