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 8-15 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.
An estimate for a rookie team in our MO/KS system for 26-27 would be about $2,500-3,000.
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$350 FIRST National registration (rookie grants available)
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$1,400 or $1,450 Kit of Parts ($660), Driver Kits ($295), REV Robotics Control Hub ($350), REV Expansion Hub ($250) (rookie grants available)
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$225 Missouri registration fee for 3 Meets and 1 League Championship
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Additional funds for t-shirts, snacks, etc. and possible advancement to MO/KS Championship, Premier Events or FIRST Championship.
Every team is required to have a robotics kit to participate, which can be ordered through the FIRST Storefront or purchased from other vendors. Many elements of the kit can be reused each year, but some parts may need to be replaced after a season.
FIRST HQ Registration Fee
FIRST registration opens in May.
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 $350 FIRST HQ Registration fee, please visit your team’s FIRST Dashboard.
Teams are not allowed to pay the FIRST registration fee or order equipment prior to their two adult coaches completing the Youth Protection Program (YPP).
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.
Need more information?
Whether you're kicking off a brand-new rookie
team or gearing up for another great season, the Team/Coach page is your home base. Here you
will find links to grants, season/league structure, robot kits, volunteering, and quick links to FIRST webpages, all in one warm and friendly spot.
