First Tech Challenge: World-Class Robotics, and How You Can Help
FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — runs a family of robotics programmes that take young people from beginner Lego builds all the way to world-class engineering. The programme ladder:
| Programme | Ages | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| FLL Discover | 4–6 | Introduction to engineering and coding |
| FLL Explore | 6–10 | Team-based Lego engineering |
| FLL Challenge | 9–16 | Lego robotics competitions |
| FTC | 12–18 | Robot design, build, programme, compete |
| FRC | 14–18 | Full-scale robot engineering with industry mentors |
The First Tech Challenge is where CoderLevelUp focuses. Teams of high schoolers design, build, programme, and operate robots to compete in alliance-format matches — judged not just on performance but on outreach, engineering documentation, and gracious professionalism.
South African teams qualify for the FTC World Championship each year — one of the largest youth engineering events on earth, drawing 85,000+ attendees from 58 countries.
The Human Stories
The numbers matter - 60+ active SA FTC teams, 3,000 students per year - but the individual stories matter more:
Heiko started out with the Creepy Crawlies team. He went on to complete a PhD at MIT, and delivered the keynote at the SA FTC Nationals in 2026.
Cassidy joined NexGen in Delft with no FTC background. She discovered a passion for coding, and the FTC network opened a door to the UWC Future-Innovation Software Dev Lab - leading to multiple job offers.
Jesse from Christel House in Ottery - a no-fee school on the Cape Flats - did FTC work that caught the attention of a corporate supporter. That led to an internship. Now he mentors two teams.
Nguzo Sabers from Khayelitsha connected with nearby SlovoMotion, qualified for Nationals, and proved the model works in the most constrained circumstances.
The Skills
FTC teams develop real, deep, applicable skills:
- Java programming for autonomous and teleop robot control
- CAD and mechanical design
- 3D printing and metal fabrication
- Sensor integration and image processing
- Project management, documentation, public speaking
- Outreach - teams are required to inspire others, not just compete
This is the only programme in South Africa that develops these skills in high schoolers at this level of rigour.
FTC Awards
FTC competitions have both performance and non-performance awards:
- REACH - community outreach impact
- CONNECT - engaging STEM professionals
- SUSTAIN - growing the ecosystem
- Technical awards: Think, Control, Design, Innovate, Inspire
The most prestigious award - Inspire - goes to the team that exemplifies everything FIRST stands for.
How to Help
FTC events only happen because of volunteers. CoderLevelUp’s role in the FIRST ecosystem is partly about growing that volunteer base - mentors, judges, referees, field reset volunteers.
If you’re an engineer, developer, educator, or enthusiast and want to give back, this is one of the most effective ways to do it.
To get involved, head to our Volunteers Needed page. In South Africa, IGNITE Robotics International and Sakhikamva are the organisations supporting the growth of FTC teams — reach out to them directly to mentor, judge, or sponsor.
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