What is it?
The Anacortes FIRST Tech Challenge program is our local community’s implementation of a nationally-recognized, globally-scoped Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education program. FIRST creates and publishes a yearly robotics challenge that motivates students to form teams, design, build, and program robots, and compete against other teams. Students (grades 8 – 12) build a robot and compete with and against other teams, and compete for a variety of awards.
Overview of this season
Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us. During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm, we will celebrate the roles our STEM skills play in the arts and design and build a world of endless possibilities. The future is yours to create.
In the CENTERSTAGESM presented by RTX challenge, debuting September 9, 2023, FIRST® Tech Challenge teams will raise the curtain on the power of design, creativity, and precision to create all new experiences.
| August-September | FTC teams form and begin meetings | |
| November-December | Teams compete in three FTC competitions | |
| January-April | State and World championships |
How do students and parents get more information?
Parents and students express their interest by filling out the following forms:
- Interested Parent Form
- Interested Student Form
- Final Forms for AHS Students (add activity “AHS All Year Robotics FTC”)
The FTC Head Coach/ASB Robotics Club Advisor uses information from those forms to organize students onto teams, and registers the teams with FIRST in order to participate in the yearly seasonal challenges. FTC teams meet at Anacortes High School and are led by an Anacortes School District (ASD) Coach, ASD Assistance Coach, and multiple adult mentors (all of whom are volunteers). The team engages in a hands-on, student-driven exploration of the challenge. They build and program a custom robot chassis and manipulators to perform challenge-related missions. The state-level organization FIRST Washington hosts FTC competitions in November and December, followed by the Washington State Championship in February for teams chosen to progress.
In addition, the AHS students are members of the ASB Robotics Club and can volunteer to become ASB Club Officers.
When/Where does it happen?
Who is part of the program?
The ASB Robotics Club Advisor/Head Coach and the Asst. Coach are Anacortes School District stipend employees (2); The coaches also recruit community members and parents to volunteer their time to mentor the team.
Adult volunteers who plan to spend more than a few hours with students and/or plan to be with the team during competitions must full out three forms. FIRST also requires a background check:
The Anacortes Robotics Booster Club (ARBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of parents and other community members that was formed to organize STEM programs like the FIRST programs for the benefit of Anacortes-area K-12 students. Additional volunteers keep the booster club organized, host events, and organize the fund-raising necessary to cover costs beyond the student participation fees.
Why participate?
Students
Students experience a student-focused team-oriented approach to hands-on research, exploration, problem-solving, building/programming, and communicating science and engineering ideas. Some like the marketing and community outreach aspects, others like the robot building, and still others like the robot programming. At the end of the season, all team members are proud of what they accomplished, together.
Parents
Parents participate because the program takes a lot of volunteer support. Those parents who are not assisting with team mentoring are asked to help support team meetings through providing occasional snacks and making sure their students are at each and every team meeting. All parents of FTC team members are requested to volunteer some support to FIRST
Washington events, ARBC, and/or ARBC managed events.
Other volunteers
Other volunteers from the community have chosen to spend their time with ARBC so that our community’s students have the opportunity to explore and learn in a manner that expands their knowledge of science and engineering, and possibly develops or strengthens an interest in science and engineering that leads to a career path not otherwise available.
ARBC welcomes your support – ask how you can help!
How much does it cost?
The FTC participation fee is currently under revew but it will be between $100 and $140 per student; students receive a team t-shirt, over three months of team sessions, and at least three competitions, four if they qualify for State Championships. Students who participate to the fullest can earn a team Bomber Jacket. ARBC and the ASB club have otherwise raised all the funds to pay for team robot parts and equipment throughout the season. Over all it costs about $7000 to run one FTC team for one season.
Please ask about a need-based scholarship for your student if the participation fee is an obstacle to your student’s participation. ARBC has a scholarship process.
More Information
- The FIRST website at https://www.firstinspires.org has more information on the national program.
- Send e-mail to ftc-7198@anacortesrobotics.org for more information about FTC.
- Send e-mail to Info@AnacortesRobotics.org if you would like more information on ARBC or our other local programs that reach students grades 2 – 8.
Participating in FIRST can help students earn scholarships to colleges and trade schools, and introduces them to a community of people who are passionate about STEM.