FIRST TEch Challenge
Decatur is home to two FIRST Tech Challenge teams. Any Decatur student in grades 7-12 grade is eligible to apply. FTC is a competitive robotics team, not a club. Team size is limited and students will be required to make a significant commitment of time. A new season starts each September.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!”
Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages, including Java. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships. Each season concludes with Regional Championships and an exciting FIRST Championship.
Beacon Hill MIDDLE SCHOOL FTC TEam 14821
Our middle school FIRST Tech Challenge team is named Team Rocket (FTC Team #14821). This team is open to Beacon Hill Middle School students in 7th and 8th grades and meets weekly after school at Decatur High School.
The 2024-25 application period is currently open through May 17, 2024. Team size is limited and meetings will start in early August 2024.
If you are interested in coaching or mentoring a team then please reach out to us at outreach@decaturrobotics.org.
Decatur Robotics middle school FTC is a competitive team – not a club. Involvement with Decatur Robotics FTC is a major commitment of time and students are expected to consistently attend weekly meetings (with some possible weekend meetings closer to competition dates) and participate in competitions outside of normal school hours. Team members should expect to attend meets several Saturdays in October through December. The league championship is a full Saturday in January followed by a state championship in February.
Parent involvement is required. There are many different choices which require time commitments on different days and times of day so everyone, regardless of work and family schedule constraints, should be able to find options that fit into their life.
We recognize that schedules are tight and students will have to manage their time to maintain their grades and other commitments, but the goal is to be an active member and help out in the best way they can. If families are not willing to commit at the level described above, this team is not a good fit for you.
Dues are $200 per student. Decatur Robotics is committed to serving students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. If you would like more information about a scholarship, please email admin@decaturrobotics.org
Awards
2018 Control Award
2018 Connect Award Finalist
2019 Compass Award Winner (Ken Craig)
2022 Collins Aerospace Innovate Award Finalist
2023 Think Award
2024 Connect Award
2024 Inspire Award 3rd Place (this is a huge deal)
Follow Team Rocket on Instagram
DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL FTC
Decatur High School coaches a team, FTC Team #4232 called The Energizer Bunnies, that is open to Decatur High School students only. Please contact dpierce@csdecatur.net for more information about applying, meeting times, dues, etc.
Please check out The Orange Alliance to track Decatur's teams and events, see team histories, watch new & old match videos, and get live scores of competitions.
Team 14821 - Team Rocket (open to Beacon Hill Middle School students)
Team 4232 - Energizer Bunnies (open to Decatur High School students) Contact dpierce@csdecatur.net to join