What is this?

FIRST Tech Challenge is for students in grades 7-12, with teams of up to 15 members. They are tasked with designing, building, programming, and operating robots to compete in head-to-head challenges in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, participants develop S.T.E.A.M. skills, practice engineering principles, and understand the value of teamwork, innovation, and community outreach. The season concludes with regional championships and the exciting FIRST World Championship.

During this 2024-2025 FIRST season, the season theme is DIVE, with the sub-theme for FIRST Tech Challenge named Into the Deep. Teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean. Along the way, we’ll uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world with healthy oceans.

Age and Grade Requirements

FIRST Tech Challenge is open to youth between 7th-12th Grades AND 12-19 years old.

We welcome all abilities, and ask that any special requirements/accommodations are discussed with the coaches prior to joining the team.

We will accept team members on a first come, first served basis and have a maximum of 15 children per team in accordance with FIRST Regulations.

Dates

• Saturday, September 7, 2024: Season Launches

• Friday, September 13 , 2024 5-7 pm: FIRST Tech Challenge Open House
• Wednesday, September 18 , 2024 5-7 pm: First Team Meeting
• September-February Wednesdays and Fridays  5-7 pm: Team Meetings
• Saturday, October 19, 2024: SOAR League Meet 0 in Roseburg, Oregon
• Saturday, November 16, 2024: SOAR League Meet 1 in Roseburg, Oregon
• Saturday, December 14, 2024: SOAR League Meet 2 in Roseburg, Oregon
• Saturday, January 11, 2025: SOAR League Meet 3 in Roseburg, Oregon
• Saturday, February 8, 2025: SOAR League Championships in Roseburg, Oregon
• Saturday, March 15, 2025: FTC State Championships in Portland Oregon
• April 2025: World Championships

Team Meetings and Practices

Practices are 120 minutes long, 2 times per week. We meet on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5-7pm.

Location is Redwoods Wonder Forge, 245 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA, 95531.

Kids are expected to attend all practices, and competition meets and need to inform the coaches if they need to miss any.

Parents and siblings are welcome to stay in our designated quiet area, or outside. We have wifi if needed. Older teens (14+) can be dropped off, but MUST be picked up by a parent or guardian unless prior arrangements have been made with the coaches. We want our kids to be safe!

Coaches and Mentors

Coach Juan is our Head Coach. He is a software engineer by trade and has coached an FLL-Challenge Team in North Carolina in the past.

Coach Ciri is an Army veteran, veterinary technician, and homeschooling parent for over a decade.  She is well versed in organizing,  training, and building a values-led team.

All FIRST coaches, mentors, and volunteers must complete an annual background check, and youth protection and safety course prior to activating their FIRST Memberships. Both FIRST and Redwoods Wonder Forge take youth safety and wellness very seriously.

Uniforms and Equipment

No special uniforms or equipment are needed for practice. Safety Glasses must be worn in the robot room and will be provided. Comfortable, closed toed shoes and clothes are recommended for safety and because we will be moving around and working with basic power tools and robot parts.

The membership fee covers the cost of competition team shirts, which the team will design and wear to their meets. Teams are encouraged to get creative with their "uniform" (think silly hats, or even themed costumes) and we will discuss and plan these as group.

Costs

It costs approximately $5500.00 to run a team through a FIRST Tech Challenge Season. This includes Registering the teams with both FIRST and with ORTOP (Our Competition League), purchase of the robot and tools, arena, challenge obstacles, laptops  for programming and research, materials, supplies, and utilities. Coaches serve on a volunteer basis and we do not have paid staff.

For the September 2024- April 2025 Competition Season the cost per team member is $500. This works out to $18.50 per session.

Registration For the 2024-2025 INTO THE DEEP Season

The links below take you to our ticketing pages through Zeffy. Zeffy is an online payment  system for nonprofits. They do not charge us processing fees (are also a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and instead ask for donations towards their operations and maintenance. Zeffy is an online payment  system for nonprofits. They do not charge us processing fees, and instead ask for donations towards their application. 

If you do not want to donate, scroll down to “other” then put in $0.00.

We do not have a choice whether to include that option, but you are NOT obligated to pay more than your invoiced amount. 

To Register for FTC and pay in full, click here.

To Register for FTC with the 4 equal payments option, click here.

Options for payment include paying in full, or paying $125/month for the first 4 months. We accept cash, cards, PayPal, and Zeffy.

Questions?