Steps to get started:

• Teams form in as many ways as you can imagine.  Teams do NOT have to be affiliated with an organization or school but can be.  Similarly, an organization or school can sponsor more than one team
• Register the team with FIRST starting in May. Team registration for 2009 season opens on May 4th!
  
• You will not be asked who is on the team when you register with FIRST
• Order one or two Tetrix-robotics kits  (as early as possible) to start learning about the programming and building a few basic 'bot designs
• Participate in local Kickoff Event on September 12th to learn about the game

Organizing A Team

Anyone can form a team. It can be a school classroom, after-school program, extracurricular group, home school, a group of friends, neighborhood kids, a club, or civic organization. A team consists of three to 10 kids that have not graduated from high school, and at least one adult coach.

• A child can only be a team member on only one team. A child is not allowed to be a member on multiple teams.
• A coach can be the coach for multiple teams. For example, a teacher could be the coach for multiple teams in their classroom.
• For a number of reasons, it is difficult for us to match an individual with a team. Typically, we encourage interested individuals to consider forming their own team.
• Typically, teams have 4 to 6 members but up to 10 members per team is allowed
  
• Every team must have at least one Adult coach  - additional coaches and mentors are encouraged

How FTC Works:

• FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is designed for high school students from grades 9-12 typically ages 14-18 and 8th grade students 13 years and older who are prepared to participate in a high school program.
• The younger grade/age is not strictly enforced but the upper limit is enforced. 
  
• Teams use the Tetrix-based robotics kit that includes the LEGO Mindstorms NXT controller to design/build robots to compete in a FIRST-designed game
• Teams will program their robot in one of 3 languages:  NXT-G, Labview or RobotC.  Licenses for these are included in the robot kit.  Online training is available for free on www.ftctraining.com
• Training workshops are being scheduled starting with kickoff and then with informal scrimmages starting in October.
• Participate in local scrimmages and work days - these provide a good way to learn from each other and keep motivated.  Let us know if you can help host one of these.
  
• It is fine to seek corporate sponsors and we have grants available based on need.
  
• Tournaments are like Sporting events with judges and awards and are typically all day, high energy events

We have a few team grants available and seeking additional ones all the time.   We have the 2009 season Grant Application available now.   

HOLD THE DATE:   Game Kickoff Event on Saturday, September 12th

 
FIRST -> FTC Overview   
2009 Nor Cal FTC Season Info on schedule and costs