Maryland FIRST
About FTC in Maryland
Maryland FIRST supports FTC teams across the state with qualifier tournaments, a state championship, and kickoff events each season. Teams use a reusable robot kit and Android-based control system, programming in Java. The program emphasizes gracious professionalism — competing hard while respecting opponents and sharing knowledge.
Start an FTC Team
Teams typically include 6–10 students and at least one adult coach or mentor. No prior robotics experience is needed — resources and training are available to help new teams get started.
Mentor or Coach
Adult mentors and coaches guide students through the engineering design process, programming, and team management. Technical and non-technical volunteers are both welcome.
Volunteer at Events
FTC events rely on volunteers as referees, judges, inspectors, and field staff. Volunteering is a great way to support Maryland's robotics community.
FTC Events
Each season, Maryland FTC teams compete in qualifier tournaments leading to the Maryland FTC Championship. The championship determines which teams advance to the next level of competition.
| Event | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Maryland/DC FTC Kickoff | September |
| FTC Qualifier Tournaments | November – January |
| Maryland FTC Championship | February |
Past Maryland FTC Championships
Maryland FTC Championship events have been held annually, with past championships documented for 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The 2016 Maryland FTC Championship took place at Georgetown Preparatory School on February 21, 2016.
Team Resources
- Official FTC game manuals and rules
- Robot inspection checklists
- Engineering notebook guidance
- Programming resources for Java and Android
Connect
Follow Maryland FTC on Facebook for season updates, event announcements, and team highlights.
In Maryland, the FTC season begins with an official kickoff event where teams receive the year's challenge and start brainstorming their robot design. Teams then spend several weeks designing, building, programming, and iterating on their robots before competing at qualifier tournaments held across the state. These qualifiers serve as a proving ground where teams demonstrate their technical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Top-performing teams advance to the Maryland FTC State Championship, where they compete for the chance to represent the state at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship. Along the way, teams also work on engineering portfolios and outreach projects that showcase their broader impact beyond the competition field.
Adult mentors and coaches play an essential role in FTC, guiding student teams through the engineering design process while fostering an environment of curiosity and collaboration. Mentors come from all backgrounds — some have engineering experience, while others bring expertise in project management, writing, or team organization. No prior robotics knowledge is required to become a mentor, as training resources and a supportive network of veteran teams and volunteers are available. The experience offers adults a meaningful way to give back to the community, help develop the next generation of STEM leaders, and witness the excitement of students discovering their potential through hands-on robotics challenges.