About Us

 FTC has a CEO and a COO that help run the whole operation. They're the students in charge. This year, we also bring back the Communciations/Team Coordinator role to help with other organzation-wide activities.
Each team has a Team Captain who was selected at the end of last season. 

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Each of our three teams usually has three subteams:
Build  |  Programming  |  Business

The Business team does a wide variety of things, all while documenting the processes of the whole team with either an Engineering Notebook and/or a Digital Engineering Portfolio for judges to review. Biz teams take photos, plan events, preserve documents, brainstorm community projects and fundraisers, maintain websites, seek sponsorships, and many other things.

Build teams use all of the metal brackets, parts, pieces, tools, and screws to somehow assemble and endlessly tweak the machines during the entire season. They can be seen at meetings in the workshops, sawing, banging, fixing, and laughing like mad scientists. They haul large toolboxes for repairs at competitions. They make concepts come to life.

The Programmers study the point systems and help figure out what the team's goals should be. Then they use Java coding, Android Studios, Git Hub, and all kinds of tech trickery to program the robot to do what they want. They use video game controllers and control hubs to make it all work and drive those robots around! They might grab and pick up items, scoop parts, launch rings into a goal, or stack bricks. There are many ways to add points, and every team has their own technique. Members learn from experienced students each year, and adult mentors help to train as well. 

We can ALWAYS use mentors for ALL types of things. Please consider giving some time.

The FTC season begins with the 2024 reveal day on Sept. 7th. Our first parent/student info session will be on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, where we'll give you details on everything else to follow.

The teams can decide when they think they are ready to begin competing regionally with qualifying competitions set between mid-November and late January on weekends.

Then, there can be Regional Championships in Feb. or March. And, finally, the chance is always there to qualify for World competition, usually held in April or May.

Meetings will be held at the school.

Meeting dates are Tues & Thurs. from 6-8 pm. 

Once the season gets fully underway, our teams have traditionally also met on Saturdays, from 10 am to 1 pm., or other times will be set and shared as needed.

And as more work and pracctice is needed, meetings have extended from 10 am - 4 pm, with a parent-sponsored lunch often provided.

Our teams will be competing in two regional qualifier events between mid-November and early February.

For more info. on our regional program hosts, FIRST Chesapeake, visit this link. 

Please, do NOT become overwhelmed reading that plan. We have long dealt with teens who have other things going on in their lives! We know.  But, you'll find that once you get comfortable with everyone, these meeting times will fly by! There is much fun, and learning, and laughter.