Teams design, build, wire, program, test, and drive a reusable robot for a new yearly challenge.
Robots play head-to-head matches with alliance partners while teams also present their work to judges.
Students take roles in engineering, programming, business, media, outreach, judging, safety, and strategy.
Key idea: FTC is not just a smaller robot. It is a complete team experience where students practice technical, communication, leadership, and career-ready skills.
Prototype, CAD, fabricate, assemble, repair, and improve robot mechanisms.
Configure robot hardware, write autonomous and driver-control code, use sensors, and debug.
Budget, fundraise, communicate with sponsors, organize files, and help the team plan sustainably.
Document impact, create media, support recruitment, present to judges, and connect with the community.
5041-supported FTC teams should live the same standard as the CyBears: Everyone has a place here.
Teams check in, organize a pit, complete robot and field inspections, and repair between matches.
Teams play qualification matches with alliance partners. Match success depends on reliability, strategy, driving, and teamwork.
Teams explain engineering, outreach, business, and team growth through interviews, portfolios, pit conversations, and awards.
The robot runs pre-written code. Teams use sensors, odometry, vision, or timed actions to score without driver control.
Student drivers operate the robot, communicate with their alliance, score game pieces, defend safely, and adapt to the match.
Exact timing, scoring, penalties, and endgame tasks change every season. The Competition Manual and official updates are always the source of truth.
We explore new skills and ideas.
We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
We apply what we learn to improve our world.
We respect each other and embrace our differences.
We are stronger when we work together.
We enjoy and celebrate what we do.
Help alliance partners understand strategy, field position, and robot capabilities.
Share spare parts, tools, or advice when another team is stuck and time allows.
Celebrate improvement, thank volunteers, and keep learning from other teams.
Recruit, register, train, learn the tools, organize roles, inventory parts, and practice basic skills.
Watch the game reveal, read the manual, study scoring, and begin strategy and robot requirements.
Prototype, program, test, document, compete in league meets, and improve after each event.
League tournaments and championships include judging, inspection, matches, awards, and advancement.
Teams are assigned to Iowa leagues. Sister teams from the same organization are usually placed together when possible.
Teams attend multiple shorter meets. These matches help teams practice, improve, and build standings before the tournament.
All league teams attend a tournament with judging, inspection, qualification matches, alliance selection, playoffs, and awards.
BIOBUZZ Kickoff and challenge release. Iowa hosts in-person kickoff locations.
First possible date for Iowa league meets. Meets run from October through January.
Dean's List nomination deadline. Interviews are conducted remotely after December 20.
Iowa Championship at Xtream Arena and GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville.
League meets must be completed at least two weeks before a team's League Tournament. Always verify dates with FTC-Iowa before planning travel or deadlines.
Arrive, check in, and set up the pit
Complete judging, robot inspection, and field inspection
Play qualification matches and improve between rounds
Prepare for alliance selection, playoffs, and awards
Try new roles, ask questions, practice skills, and treat mistakes as design data.
Give every student meaningful work, support, feedback, and chances to lead.
Prepare carefully, respect rules and volunteers, and help other teams when possible.
Record designs, tests, outreach, decisions, failures, improvements, and individual learning.
Current-season note: Dates and event details in this module should be checked against official FTC-Iowa and FIRST sources before each season or event.