FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a student-centered program offering a unique and stimulating experience․
Each year, teams engage in a new game, requiring them to design, build, test, and program robots․
What is FIRST Tech Challenge?
FIRST Tech Challenge provides a student-centered program designed to give students a stimulating and unique experience․
It is a robotics competition where teams of students are tasked with designing, building, testing, and programming robots․
These robots must perform a series of tasks in an annual game․
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest in STEM․
The program emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation․
It encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, as well as technical and engineering expertise through hands-on experience․
Gracious Professionalism
Gracious Professionalism is doing your best work while treating others with respect and kindness․
It’s what makes FIRST, first, emphasizing the value of others and the community․
Definition and Importance
Gracious Professionalism is an ethos fundamental to FIRST․ It embodies doing high-quality work, valuing others, and respecting the community․
It involves competing fiercely but with integrity, assisting and enabling others when possible․
This philosophy encourages learning, competition, and mutual gain․ It emphasizes that teams can and should help each other, even when competing․
By embracing Gracious Professionalism, participants contribute to a positive and collaborative environment;
Game Manual Structure
The Game Manual is divided into parts, providing rules, guidelines, and specifications․
It covers robot design, judging criteria, and gameplay rules, ensuring fair and organized competitions․
Sections and Key Information
The FTC Game Manual is structured to provide teams with essential information for the season․ It includes sections on general rules, robot design specifications, and judging criteria․ Teams can find key details about gameplay, allowed components, and scoring procedures․ Understanding each section is crucial for success, ensuring that teams adhere to the guidelines․ The manual also outlines event formats and advancement criteria․ Keeping up-to-date with revisions and clarifications is important to remain competitive․ Teams should consult the manual for information․
Traditional Events vs․ Remote Events
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) offers both traditional, in-person events and remote events․ Remote events mimic traditional competitions while adhering to social distancing․
Each event type has its own game manual․
Manuals for Each Event Type
For FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) events, separate manuals exist for traditional and remote formats․
The Game Manual Part 1 and Game Manual Part 2 are available for both traditional and remote events․
These manuals are accessible on the FIRST website’s Game and Season Materials page․
Teams should consult the appropriate manual based on their event type․
These manuals contain rules, specifications, and guidelines․
Reference the specific manual to ensure compliance with event regulations․
Robot Design Rules
The Game Manual Part 1 contains rules for robot design․
These rules provide key guidelines and specifications for building a robot that meets FTC standards․
Key Guidelines and Specifications
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robot design is governed by specific rules in the Game Manual Part 1․
These guidelines ensure fair competition and safety․
Teams must adhere to size, weight, and material restrictions․
Furthermore, the robot’s power and control systems have limitations․
Understanding these specifications is crucial for successful robot construction․
The manual outlines legal components and configurations, impacting design choices․
Teams must also consider software development kit (SDK) compatibility․
Compliance with these rules is verified during technical inspection before competition․
Ignoring these guidelines can lead to disqualification or penalties during matches․
Judging and Awards
The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) includes a judging process․
Teams are evaluated for various awards․
This assessment considers robot design, innovation, and team collaboration․
Gracious Professionalism is also a key factor․
Criteria and Process
The judging criteria for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) awards involve multiple aspects․
Judges evaluate teams based on their robot’s design, performance, and innovation․
Team interviews are a crucial part of the process, where teams showcase their engineering design process․
Gracious Professionalism and teamwork are also heavily considered․
The judging process involves a panel of experts who assess each team’s strengths and weaknesses․
Awards recognize teams that excel in various categories, inspiring innovation and excellence․
The evaluation is detailed, ensuring fair recognition of teams’ efforts and achievements within FTC․
General Game Rules
FTC Game Manual Part 1 outlines the general rules for gameplay․
These rules cover robot operation, scoring, and safety regulations․
Teams must adhere to these rules to ensure fair and safe competition․
Overview of Gameplay
The FIRST Tech Challenge presents a new and exciting game each season․
Teams design, build, and program robots to accomplish various tasks․
Matches involve autonomous and driver-controlled periods, demanding strategic gameplay․
Alliances of teams compete to score points by completing objectives on the playing field․
Robots must adhere to size and safety regulations outlined in the Game Manual․
Referees oversee matches and ensure fair play according to the established rules․
Understanding the gameplay overview is crucial for teams to develop effective strategies․
The Game Manual Part 1 provides detailed information on game rules and scoring․
Teams should consult the manual for specific rules and guidelines․
FIRST Tech Challenge Resources
Access FIRST Tech Challenge resources, including Game Manuals, playing field details, and software development kits, on the official FIRST website․
Find season-specific materials to aid in robot design and competition preparation․
Game and Season Materials Page
The Game and Season Materials page on the FIRST website is your central hub for all essential resources․
Here, you’ll find the Game Manuals (Part 1 and Part 2) for both Traditional and Remote Events․
Also available are playing field resources, field coordinate systems, and the Software Development Kit (SDK)․
This page is crucial for accessing vital information about the current season’s challenge, rules, and technical specifications․
Teams can find detailed guides and support to assist in robot building, programming, and overall competition preparation․
Make sure to visit this page regularly for updates and important announcements․
Revision History
The Revision History section details all updates and clarifications made to the Game Manual Part 1․
This includes the revision date and a description of each change for transparency․
Updates and Clarifications
This subsection provides detailed information regarding updates and clarifications to the FTC Game Manual Part 1․
Staying informed about these changes is crucial for teams to ensure they are adhering to the most current rules and guidelines․
Each revision is documented with its date and a clear description of the modification․
Teams should regularly check this section for any updates that could affect their robot design, gameplay strategy, or eligibility for judged awards․
Understanding these updates is essential for fair play and success in the FIRST Tech Challenge․
Q&A Forum
The official Q&A Forum serves as the definitive source for rule clarifications regarding the FTC Game Manual Part 1․
Teams can submit questions and receive official answers, ensuring consistent understanding․
Official Source for Rule Clarifications
The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Q&A Forum provides a platform where teams can seek official clarifications on rules outlined in the Game Manual Part 1․
This forum is monitored by FIRST officials, ensuring that all answers are consistent with the intended interpretation of the rules․
Teams should consult the Q&A Forum to resolve any ambiguities or uncertainties regarding gameplay, robot design, or event procedures․
It is a vital resource for maintaining fair play and consistent application of the rules across all FTC events, both traditional and remote․
