HomeWorkshop: Intro to FTC Building

Workshop: Intro to FTC Building (First Tech Challenge)

(Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/FTC)

For grades 4-9, a new interactive workshop in FTC Building with Arnav, student instructor at NEST, and friends.

The THREE-Week FTC Building workshop is FREE for members, $20 for non-members.

Class size is limited to 8 students. Register only your child's name, but parents are encouraged to attend with their child. Bring your own computer (preferred) or use one of ours. You will receive instructions to install software.

Workshop: Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16, 2:00-3:00 pm

(Registration will open April 1, 6 am)

Building a robot for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) requires following strict construction rules to ensure the robot is safe and fair for competition.

1. Key Compliance Rules: Sizing Limits, FTC Legal Electronics, Motor & Servo Limits, Proper Materials

2. Building Systems: goBILDA, REV Robotics, TETRIX by Pitsco

3. Basic Construction Tips: Common Fasteners, Types of Construction, Wiring Safety, Modular systems

4. Custom Fabrication Tips: 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, CNC

Robot Build and Design Workshop
Join us for a hands-on workshop on robot building and design, using FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics as the focus.

Workshop Focus
Students will learn about the main parts of an FTC robot, including structure, motors, wheels, drivetrains, and simple mechanisms. We will focus on how these parts fit together and what makes a robot stable, functional, and well-built.

Objective
Through interactive activities, students will explore the basics of robot building and design while learning mechanical principles like stability, motion, gear ratios, and torque. As part of the workshop, students will build an operational drivetrain so they can see how a basic robot base comes together and works.

What You Learn
By the end of the workshop, students will have a clearer understanding of how FTC robots are built and how their main systems work together. They will leave with experience working with robot parts and a better sense of the design choices that go into building a robot for competition or for fun.

Class Information
Intended for students in grades 4 through 9
No prior robotics experience required
Best for beginners and students interested in the build side of FTC robotics

FIRST Tech Challenge seeks to inspire youth to become the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators through participation in mentor-guided robotics competition.

Teams who participate in FIRST Tech Challenge must build a robot that performs a variety of tasks. The tasks vary from season to season, and are based on a set of game rules that are published at the start of each season. The more tasks that a robot can complete, the more points a team will earn.