What Is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global robotics organization that inspires young people to be leaders and innovators. It offers several robotics programs, but in high school, the most common options are FRC, VEX V5, and FTC.
Our Options
Option 1: FRC
FRC is the traditional, large-scale robotics competition for grades 9–12. It’s known for its big robots, intense competition, and high costs.
- Expensive to build and compete
- Requires a large team
- Massive time commitment
- Incredible experience
Option 2: VEX V5
VEX V5 is a robotics competition that uses pre-manufactured parts in a structured game environment.
- More affordable than FRC
- Great for learning fundamentals
- Limited in design freedom
- Less emphasis on innovation
Option 3: FTC —
Our Choice
FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) is for grades 7–12 and strikes the perfect balance between creativity, cost, and competition.
- Affordable and sustainable
- Encourages innovation
- Student-driven design
- Strong, supportive community
The Comparison
More Than Robots
FTC is about more than just building a robot. It’s about building skills and character.
Teamwork
Students learn to lead, communicate, and work together.
Innovation
We solve real problems and bring our ideas to life.
Confidence
Students grow into leaders on and off the field.
Community
We support and inspire each other every step of the way.
The Bottom Line
We chose FTC because it gives us the freedom to create, the challenge to grow, and the community to thrive — all while keeping the focus on what matters most: inspiring the next generation of innovators.
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