Competition robotics for grades 7–12. Design, build, and code a real robot — then take it to the field against teams across Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Get your builder on a team →FIRST Tech Challenge is the premier robotics competition for middle and high school students. Each season, teams design, build, and program a robot to take on a brand-new game challenge — then compete head-to-head in alliances (teams paired up for each match) through the FIRST Chesapeake region. It's as close to real engineering as it gets: a deadline, a budget, a team, and a machine that has to actually work.
FTC is built for students in grades 7–12 who are ready for a serious, hands-on engineering challenge. Newer builders are welcome — we meet students at their level and grow their skills across the season, from first wiring to autonomous code.
Our FTC season runs September through February — roughly four hours a week, in teams of 10 to 12 students. Teams build through the fall, then compete through qualifiers and championships in the winter. Coaching is hands-on and mentor-led; students own the robot, we guide the engineering.
Every season is a real shot at advancing. Teams earn their way up through performance on the field and recognition from judges — the same FIRST Chesapeake pathway that sends Virginia, Maryland, and DC teams to the world championship each year.
FTC students build far more than robots. They gain real engineering and coding skills, learn to work under a deadline as a team, and come away with a standout story for high school and college applications. FIRST alumni pursue engineering, computer science, and STEM careers at high rates — and the FIRST community awards millions in college scholarships each year.
Why STEM4U
Areas We Serve
STEM4U runs FIRST Tech Challenge teams for families throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier & Arlington counties — including Ashburn, Aldie, Leesburg, Sterling, South Riding, Brambleton, Stone Ridge, Dulles, Chantilly, Centreville, Herndon, Reston, Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow, Manassas and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.