First Tech Challenge (FTC)

Robotics Competition Team (ages 12-18)

Competition Robotics at Penguin

Penguin Coding School has been coaching competition robotics teams since 2017. We field multiple teams every year and a few of our top teams have made it to the state championships.  There are two levels based on age & experience: First Lego League (FLL) for ages 9-14 which uses Lego Robot kits to complete mission challenges and research an innovative solution to a global problem and First Tech Challenge (FTC) for ages 12-18 which uses metal pieces, nuts & bolts, motors & servos to build "real" robots and organize community outreach and team fundraisers.

What is the First Technical Challenge (FTC)? (for ages 12-18)

FTC is a whole other level from FLL Challenges and the season extends from September to February/March of the following year. 

FTC does not use LEGO parts.  The robots are 18 in. x 18 in. and use metal pieces that are often custom built with 3D printers, and they have much larger motors. The coding language used is Java. 

Many of the FTC teams we'll be competing against will be high school teams with much bigger teams and more resources. 

Penguin Coding School’s FTC team is meant to be a preparatory step for high school robotics and is an opportunity for students to experience an advanced level of robotics while still in middle school. We also mentor a separate high school team which is competitive with other high school teams.

FTC Course Offerings

Currently, FTC  teams and classes are only available in our Lexington location (please email info@penguincodingschool.comif you are interested in FTC Teams in another location).

Meet our Past FTC Teams

  • Waddlebots 2023-24

  • Robots Ablaze 2023-24

Interest Form

If you are interested in finding out more about how your child can participate in one of Penguin Coding School’s competition robotics teams, please fill out the form below and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have!