Left Brain Learning Paths
The “Tech Side” of FIRST Tech Challenge — design, build, program, iterate.
In FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), building a great robot is important—but it’s not everything. A team with an awesome robot can still lose to a team that is more well-rounded with right-brain activities. FTC is about 60% technical (left-brain) and 40% right-brain skills. A team can’t win or advance without both.
This page explains our left-brain learning paths—the skills we use to design, build, and program our robot. (Our right-brain skills like outreach and presentations are explained on a separate page.)
Our Left-Brain Learning Paths
We don’t just “jump in” and build. We follow structured learning paths with tutorials, challenges, and real robot tasks.
CAD Design (OnShape)
Students learn how to design parts using OnShape, a free online CAD program.
This connects directly to FTC robot systems like chassis design and mechanism building.
Explore the CAD Path →Skills You’ll Build
- Create and edit 3D parts
- Build full robot assemblies
- Design chassis & manipulators
- Test ideas virtually first
Java Programming
We teach students how to program the robot using Java.
As students improve, they also learn more advanced ideas like organizing code and object-oriented programming.
Explore the Java Path →Skills You’ll Build
- Write step-by-step code
- Algorithms & decomposition
- Loops, conditionals, variables
- Program autonomous mode
Mechanical & Electrical Systems
This is where students physically build and wire the robot.
Students also learn how speed, torque, and gear ratios affect performance.
Explore the Build Path →Skills You’ll Build
- Build the chassis
- Add motors, wheels & parts
- Basic electrical theory
- Connect control systems
Iterative Engineering Design
We follow the engineering design process, which means: Plan → Build → Test → Improve → Repeat.
This is how real engineers work—and it’s how robots get better over time.
Learn the Process →What This Looks Like
- Test the robot often
- Find problems early
- Make fast improvements
- Short sprints to upgrade
Important Concepts We Focus On
How We Learn
Students complete hands-on tasks and challenges — not just lectures.
Skills are learned and then applied directly to the robot in the same session.
Teams work through real problems just like engineers in the field.
Progress builds from beginner to advanced skills over time.
By following these learning paths, students don’t just learn to build a robot — they learn how to think like engineers (left-brain) and excel in a well organized engineering team (right-brain).
Strong technical skills help us build a competitive robot — but that’s only part of FTC. Be sure to check out our Right-Brain Learning Paths page to see how everything comes together!
Left Brain cannot exist without Right Brain — both sub-teams build one highly functional team.
See All Roles Right Brain Paths The Most Important Document