FIRST® Tech Challenge
Grades 7 - 12
Who do I need on my team?
Anyone can join FIRST Tech Challenge regardless of previous technical experience. While there is no ideal number of students on a team, we find many teams include 8-12 students in grades 7-12. Each team needs two adult lead coaches to help guide the team throughout the season.
Required: Two (2) lead coaches who facilitate the season and manage the team.
Required: Students with a variety of talents – no technical experience required!
Optional: Additional mentors who support the team (parents, teachers, engineers, FIRST alumni)
What does it cost?
All costs are at a team level. The rookie year is the most expensive as this includes the supplies for building your robot. These parts are reusable each year.
An estimate for a rookie team in our MO/KS system for 22-23 would be about $2,500.
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$295 FIRST National registration (rookie grants available)
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$1,400 or $1,450 Kit of Parts, Control Set, Electronics Set (rookie grants available)
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$225 Missouri registration fee for 2 Meets and 1 League Championship
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Additional funds for t-shirts, snacks, etc. and possible advancement to MO Championship or FIRST Championship.
Returning teams do not need to purchase the kit of parts, control and electronics sets. Equipment is reusable.
FIRST HQ Registration Fee
FIRST registration opens on May 2026.
In order to be able to compete as a FIRST Tech Challenge team, teams need to register with FIRST each season. The annual FIRST registration fees that all teams pay to FIRST stays at FIRST Headquarters in New Hampshire and does not get passed onto FIRST in Missouri. To pay your team’s $325 FIRST HQ Registration fee, please visit your team’s FIRST Dashboard.
Teams are allowed to order equipment prior to their two adult coaches completing the Youth Protection Program (YPP). However, teams will not be allowed to register for local events until YPP screening is a Yes for both coaches.
If you are waiting for a grant, DO NOT pay your FIRST Registration Fee until after that grant has been awarded. FIRST will not be able to make changes to orders after checkout.
Check the Grant Opportunities above before registering. Rookie Team Registration Packet Veteran Team Registration Packet Youth Registration Overview