How to Start a Robotics Team with FIRST – Ten Tips and Tricks
October 3, 2025
The impact of FIRST® is abundantly evident when you look at our extraordinary worldwide community of young innovators. Our students are living proof that FIRST is so much More Than Robots®!
Now is the time to join a global community of STEM changemakers by starting a robotics team with FIRST. FIRST robotics programs deliver hands-on STEM education to schools, afterschool programs, and community learning spaces. Each program offers fun, age-appropriate challenges tied to a yearly theme to help build STEM interest and adaptable skills, preparing students for STEM careers and leadership in a tech-driven world.
A FIRST® LEGO League Challenge participant in Kazakhstan says, “FIRST has made a great impact on my life. I’ve met many different people and [and had numerous] opportunities, which developed my critical thinking, imagination, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.”
Once you start a robotics team with FIRST, be sure to check out these tips for how to get your team (and robot!) up and running. Don’t forget to secure two very important things first (pun intended!): some pizza (also known as the lifeblood of any FIRST team) and Gracious Professionalism®. Keep reading to hear inspiring tips from FIRST teams around the world!
Like the real-world STEM industry, utilizing planning tools can help you and your team conceptualize your ideas and set yourselves up for success. FIRST programs provide opportunities for unlimited creativity and innovation, even when conceptualizing your robot. FIRST® Tech Challenge Team 3188 “Squiggle Splat Bang” recommends learning Computer Aided Design (CAD). There are a lot of great tutorials and lessons online that will teach you everything from the basics, to how to use it when building your FIRST robot.
FIRST helped me find new friends. I improved my skills such as CADing and coding. - FIRST Student, FIRST Tech Challenge Team 19164 “Cristabol”
2. Practice Driving
Once your robot is designed and built, it’s time to see your team’s hard work come to life! FIRST Tech Challenge Team 3188 “Squiggle Splat Bang” recommends dedicating time before competitions to practice driving the robot. Like all skills, with practice you will likely see exciting improvement over time. Have fun with it! You could even come up with a new challenge or engaging game to help familiarize your team with the controls and how the robot operates during gameplay.
3. Learn Judging Criteria
At FIRST events, teams will have the opportunity to share their robots and design processes with volunteer judges. Teams are then interviewed and considered by the judges for a wide variety of awards! FIRST Tech Challenge Team 18140 “TBD (ThunderBolts in Disguise)" says, “Judging is SO important. Always be sure to read the judging criteria!”
Try setting up a mock interview with a team mentor to practice for events. Talk with your team about best interview practices and key points you want to make when you get in front of the judges. Don’t forget to prepare for follow-up questions. This is where you can show off your hard work and expertise!
4. Adopt FIRST Ethos
The FIRST Community is one-of-a-kind – we even encourage teams who are competing to help one another. Yes, you should help your competition! We call it Coopertition® and Gracious Professionalism. These important FIRST ethos are all about making sure everyone can play the game to the best of their abilities (more on that next!). As FIRST Tech Challenge Team 18240 “RobotScout Squad” says, “Take the leap! There are plenty of people to answer questions and help if you get stuck.” You got this!
Fun fact: At FIRST, Coopertition means teams help and cooperate with each other, even as they compete. It's about learning from teammates, teaching others, collaborating with mentors, managing, and being managed. Coopertition embodies the spirit of competing while assisting and enabling others whenever possible.
5. Connect with the FIRST Community
The FIRST Community is built upon our Core Values: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun. FIRST Robotics Competition® Team 5124 “West Torrance Robotics” offers this advice: “Make connections! FIRST is a community and having people to reach out to is important.” Remember, the FIRST Community is here to support you, even as FIRST alumni, because when you join FIRST, you have a place in our community for life! 
6. Focus on Impact
The robot is just the tip of the FIRST iceberg! FIRST teams are known for their positive impact on their surrounding communities. “Have ideas that go beyond your team. That’s where impact begins,” says FIRST Tech Challenge Team 21077 “SESI SENAI FTBEN.” At a team meeting, think of known issues in your community that you and your team could solve. Discuss together and remember: all ideas are valuable! Think of projects that could benefit the people around you. For inspiring ideas, check out the team stories on our Community Blog.
7. Don't Fear Failure
From your first meeting, first match, to someday being a FIRST alum, there will likely be several challenges and learning curves along the way. It’s important to celebrate the small wins, learn from failure, and build that momentum forward. FIRST Tech Challenge Team 20870 “Team Matrix” recommends that your team celebrate “ALL small wins.” FIRST is intended to be both fun and challenging! Keep working hard and see how much you grow.
“Do not expect instant success, it will come over time.” FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1683 “Techno Titans”.
The bottom line? You’ve got this! The FIRST Community is here for you the whole way. Learn more about each program here, register your team, and LET’S BUILD SOME ROBOTS! We can’t wait to see your innovations.
To learn more about how to start a robotics team with FIRST, check out these resources. We’ll see you at a FIRST event!