What is FTC
Robotics, played as a sport.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition for students in grades 7–12. Teams design, build, and program robots to complete a new game each season.
01FIRST programs
Three levels of FIRST.
FIRST offers programs from elementary school through high school. Kronos competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
- FLL
FIRST Lego League
Entry-level robotics with LEGO-based kits for younger students.
- FTCWhere we compete
FIRST Tech Challenge
Teams build smaller robots that compete on a 12×12 ft field, emphasizing design, programming, and teamwork.
- FRC
FIRST Robotics Competition
Large-scale robots and the flagship high-school FIRST program.
02The season
How a season unfolds.
The FTC season runs from September through January, with kickoff revealing the year’s game and qualifying tournaments leading into championships.
- September
Kickoff
The new game is revealed and new members begin training.
- October
Design
We finalize the CAD model and print or machine parts.
- November
Build
The robot is assembled and programming begins on real hardware.
- December
Refine
Driver practice, autonomous routines, and match strategy.
- Dec – Feb
Compete
Qualifying tournaments, then regionals for advancing teams.
03Values
More than the robot.
FTC emphasizes Gracious Professionalism, teamwork, and community outreach alongside technical achievement.
Teams are judged on their engineering process, outreach, and teamwork as well as their match performance. Awards like Think, Connect, Motivate, and Control recognize the work that happens off the field.