FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
What is FRC?
FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — is a global robotics community that combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.
01 — THE FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
A varsity sport for the mind
Every January, a brand-new game is revealed. Teams of high schoolers get roughly six weeks to design, machine, wire, and program a competition robot — then face off in alliance-based matches at packed district events, working toward the World Championship.
Students do the work. Mentors from real engineering careers teach alongside them. It's as close to running a small aerospace company as high school gets.
02 — How a season works
JANUARY → DECEMBERKickoff
The game is revealed worldwide. Strategy, prototyping, and design start the same day.
Build season
Six weeks of CAD, machining, wiring, and code — nightly, with family-style dinners in the shop.
District events
Three-day competitions across the FIRST Mid-Atlantic district — qualification matches, alliance selections, playoffs.
Championships
Top teams advance to the District Championship — we won it in 2025 — and on to the FIRST Championship.
Offseason
A more relaxed schedule — new-member training, workshops, offseason competitions, and outreach across Clifton.
03 — A LADDER, NOT A LEAGUE
From LEGO to 120-pound robots
FIRST starts kids as young as four with LEGO-based challenges (FIRST LEGO League) and carries them through to FRC in high school. We run and fund three FLL teams in Clifton's middle schools, so the ladder starts in our own city.
04 — MORE THAN ROBOTS
Gracious professionalism
FIRST's core value: compete like crazy, and treat everyone with respect while you do it. Teams lend parts and mentors to their rivals mid-competition — it's why we mentor the same teams we face on the field. FIRST students are also eligible for over $80M in dedicated scholarships.