Recruit students who are passionate about STEM and identify at least one adult coach to guide the team. No technical experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

• Meeting and build space
• Up to 15 team members – Find and invite students who want to be part of a robotics team. Be sure to emphasize that no technical skills are required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Recruit all kinds of talents, not just engineering and electrical.
• Each team needs two or more adult lead coaches/mentors who are willing and motivated to coach the team through the build and competition season and beyond. Other adults can volunteer to help with administration, fundraising, community outreach, technical skills, and other tasks. Most teams meet once to twice a week during the build and competition season, which typically runs from September through January depending on your region. Read the Mentor Manual
  *Team coaches and mentors must complete Youth Protection Screening

Sign up your team at www.firstinspires.org/register

• Create a FIRST® Account
• Create a Team Profile
• Apply for a rookie team grant
• Pay for FIRST Season Registration ($295)
• Complete Youth Protection Screening (US/Canada Lead Coach/Mentors only)

Once registered, your team becomes a part of the worldwide FIRST Tech Challenge community. You’ll begin receiving communications from FIRST, along with a team number in preparation for event registration in the fall. Part of the registration process includes ordering the kit of parts and completing payment. (Please note that, until you click submit, you are not committed to becoming a team.)

• • Create/login to your FIRST account
  • Watch our step-by-step create a team registration walk-through video
  • Check for available grants

For registration technical support, call 1-800-871-8326 or contact a program delivery partner.

Your team will need to build a budget and fund their goals. Recruit local businesses to sponsor you. Some of them may already have a relationship with FIRST. We also have many fundraising opportunities you can explore, including grants for rookie teams.

• Sample Team Budget
• Grants
• Fundraising Toolkit

• Some Approximate Expenses
  • FIRST Season Registration ($295)
  • Regional Fees for Competitions ($175 for 2 qualifiers, $175 for Regional Championship)
  • Purchase Robot Kit of Parts/Product ($725-$875 for a new team)

Part of the fun is designing and building your robot and FIRST provides a wealth of information in our Resource Library to help you. Find everything from technical guides, to fundraising ideas, and helpful build videos.

• Team Management Resources
• Robot Building Resources
• Robot Programming Resources
• Connect with the FIRST Tech Challenge Community

Join other FTC Louisiana teams to test your robot, compete with other teams, and have fun! Events provide opportunities for learning, networking, and advancing to higher levels of competition.

Teams will compete in 2 qualifiers in hopes to advance to the Louisiana Regional State Championship. Two teams will then advance to the World Championship in Houston and 2-3 additional teams will advance to Premier Events.

Review Available Resources – see the Team Management Resources page

There are always local teams willing to help mentor and teach rookie teams. Reach out to be connected with a team near you.

Need support in starting your team? We’re here to help!
📧 Email us at: ftclouisiana@gmail.com

📍 Learn more about FIRST Louisiana – Mississippi:
🔗 FIRST LA-MS Website