How to Start a Robotics Team with FIRST – Ten Tips and Tricks
October 3, 2025
When FIRST® Tech Challenge Team 25069 “LOAD Robotics” was founded in 2024, STEM opportunities looked very different in southern Delaware from those in the northern part of the state. Most FIRST® teams were concentrated in private schools and urban areas near Wilmington, Delaware, leaving rural communities below the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River canal with limited access to hands-on STEM programs. As students from those rural areas themselves, the members of LOAD Robotics saw an opportunity to change that.
Expanding FIRST in Delaware
At the time, the team was one of just three FIRST teams across all programs serving southern Delaware. From their first season, the students made community growth a central part of their mission, placing equal value on outreach and robot development. Through hosting information sessions at local libraries, mentoring new teams (and in some cases coaching younger teams), and donating robotics kits and equipment, LOAD Robotics helped launch multiple FIRST teams across all age levels in the state.
For example, the team helped establish a FIRST Tech Challenge team at MOT Charter School by assisting with funding, donating parts, and inviting the students to train in their facilities. They later supported the creation of a new FIRST® Robotics Competition team at Avon Grove High School, helping recruit students and coaches and securing $13,500 in startup funding. Partially due to the team’s efforts, there are now eight FIRST teams below the canal in rural Delaware.
Community engagement remains a central part of the team’s identity. In their rookie season alone, LOAD Robotics logged more than 700 outreach hours across 26 events. One of the team’s favorite activities is their regular visits to Deep Roots, a transitional residence for unhoused families in and around Earleville, Maryland, where they introduce elementary-aged students to STEM and robotics through hands-on activities. They also bring their robots to public events such as the University of Delaware AG Day, Trunk-or-Treat celebrations, and local parades, meeting families where they are and making STEM approachable for students of all ages.
A member of LOAD Robotics works with a young student during a community outreach visit to Deep Roots in Earleville, Maryland, introducing basic programming concepts through hands-on activities.
Making a Global STEM Impact
LOAD Robotics has also extended its impact far beyond Delaware through its student-led LOAD Across the Globe initiative. What began as monthly virtual meetings with other FIRST teams has grown into a global network of more than 200 teams across 36 countries and 45 states. Through these sessions, teams share technical knowledge, mentorship, and best practices, while local Delaware teams benefit from exposure to a broader FIRST community. Locally, the team also supports collaboration by hosting “Open Fridays,” inviting nearby teams to use their practice field, tools, and resources.
Members of LOAD Robotics demonstrate their robot for a young attendee during a Trunk-or-Treat community event.
Alongside outreach, the team is deeply committed to volunteering within FIRST. Team members have collectively supported 27 FIRST competitions, logging hundreds of volunteer hours in roles such as referees, inspectors, and announcers across all FIRST program events.
Heading to the 2026 United States Governor’s Cup
With students from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, LOAD Robotics operates with a flexible, role-sharing team structure that reflects the student-driven, collaborative spirit of FIRST. During their rookie season, the team earned the FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award and advanced to the 2025 FIRST® Championship, proving teams don’t need years of experience to achieve great results!
Two members of LOAD Robotics transport their FIRST Tech Challenge robot at the 2024–2025 FIRST Championship.
Today, LOAD Robotics is proud to represent Delaware at the United States Governor’s Cup as one of 50 teams invited to participate, taking place February 20 – 21 in Washington, D.C. To watch LOAD Robotics and other teams in action, tune in to the Day 1 and Day 2 livestreams on the Experiential Robotics YouTube channel and follow along as teams show off their innovation, teamwork and problem-solving skills together on the national stage.
To learn more above the event, visit www.experiential.bot/govcup.