Ages
12 - 18
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Cost / Team / Year
$5,000
Robot Cost
$1,500
Robot Weight
42 lbs
competitions
It’s way more than building robots
Charger Robotics FIRST ® Tech Challenge teams can have up to 15 team members, grades 8-12. Students enrolled at Templeton Middle School and Hamilton High School are eligible.
Following a sports model, students are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.
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Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. Teams are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition, community outreach, design, and to celebrate other real-world accomplishments.
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Students get to:
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Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills
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Apply real-world math and science concepts
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Design, build, and program robots
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Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
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Access over $80 million in college scholarships
what is ftc?
For more information about FIRST in your area:
www.firstinspires.org/contactus
(603) 666-3906
(800) 871-8326
first's core values
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Charger Robotics expresses the FIRST® philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through Core Values:
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DISCOVERY: We explore new skills and ideas
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INNOVATION: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems
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IMPACT: We apply what we learn to improve our world
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INCLUSION: We respect each other and embrace our differences
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TEAMWORK: We are stronger when we work together
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FUN: We enjoy and celebrate what we do
Gracious Professionalism®
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Gracious professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
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With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest-thumping tough talk, and no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition and empathy are comfortably blended.
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In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.
THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGE:
What if you could build a better world?
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Where would you begin?
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More than ever, we must come together to innovate and solve problems.
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In FIRST, you are part of a thriving community brimming with inspiration, creativity, and hope for a stronger, more sustainable future - one that’s built better together.
How to play "skystone"
charger robotics FTC
Charger Robotics is relatively new to FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), launching four rookie FTC teams for the 2019-2020 season.
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FIRST Tech Challenge allows Charger Robotics to accomplish four main goals:
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1.) Accelerate Talent Development
Students in 8th Grade are allowed to participate in FIRST Tech Challenge. This gives students earlier access to engineering principles, metal and wood-working tools, and an additional year experience in competitive robot design.
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2.) EASE THE FLL-to-frc TRANSITION
Most members of FRC team #537 have previous experience with the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program at Templeton Middle School. FLL robots are comprised of highly-standardized, modular, plastic components, whereas the FRC robots utilize highly engineered components crafted from metal, often using machines that require several hours of specialized training in order to operate. This jump in difficulty alienated some students, and created additional challenges for rookie members to participate in activities.
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3.) Amplify Learning opportunities
Since the primary build season schedules for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition have minimal overlap, Charger Robotics students are able to participate both FTC and FRC programs within a single school year. FTC's earlier season gives students the opportunity to experience robot design, build, and competition seasons ahead of the FRC design, build, and competition seasons.
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4.) engage a larger audience
Some high school students have been unable to commit the time required during the FRC build and competition seasons due to involvement with athletics, musical & dramatic arts performance groups, or other extracurricular commitments. The longer, more relaxed FIRST Tech Challenge season allows students in these situations to still participate in Charger Robotics and grow their marketable skills.
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Our Teams
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Charger Robotics students have the option to join one of four FIRST Tech Challenge teams.
While all four teams operate out of the same facility and are all under the Charger Robotics umbrella, these teams are each allowed to have their own operating philosophies and methods. Teams are encouraged to experiment, discover, innovate, and share best practices to benefit the entire organization.
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There are 2 to 3 adult mentors per team. Some mentors prefer to stay with one particular team, while other mentors float between several teams and share their skills with a wider range of students.
ftc # 16208
"Crimson Crusaders"
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Mia L
Maddie T
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Adit B
Owen B
Akash D
Will H
Alex M
Zach N
Aaron P
Akhil P
James S
Alex T
ftc #16217
"thunderstruck"
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Claire K
Hoyt L
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Dhruv A
Nathan D
Emilie F
Sarah G
Sam M
Jack N
Raghav P
Nick P
Peyton T
Be W
ftc #16322
"silver storm"
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Nadia Y
Prath K
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Jimmy B
Nick C
Drew D
Scott D
Britney E
Matt L
Jack M
Ryan N
Owen R
Saheb S
Krishay T
Kristin W
Matthew Z
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ftc #16327
"panicking coconuts"
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Saurav P
Gavin S
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Tyler B
Jeremiah B
Michaela D
Maddy G
Jackson G
Kira H
Srikar K
Katie P
Jake S
Team meetings
Charger Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams operate out of Hamilton High School.
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Team meetings are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with flex time available until 9:00 PM. Team members may coordinate with Team Advisors and Mentors to request any additional meeting time.
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Charger Robotics has the approval to use several rooms at Hamilton High School, generally staying within the North West portions of the complex.
