Robotics Programs

Maryland FIRST brings four distinct robotics programs to students across the state, serving ages 4 through 18. Each program is designed to build STEM skills, confidence, and teamwork through hands-on challenges. Whether your child is just starting out or ready for advanced engineering, there's a program that fits.

Maryland FIRST brings together students, mentors, and volunteers from across the state to build a community rooted in STEM education and teamwork. Through robotics programs designed for every age group, young people gain hands-on experience with engineering, coding, and problem-solving. The organization relies on a dedicated network of coaches, mentors, and volunteers who guide teams through each season's challenges. Whether attending a kickoff event, a training workshop, or a championship competition, participants find themselves part of something larger than a single robot. The shared effort of designing, building, and competing fosters collaboration and confidence that lasts well beyond the playing field.

FIRST LEGO League introduces younger students to the excitement of robotics through themed challenges that combine LEGO building with real-world science. Teams research problems, design solutions, and program autonomous robots to complete missions on a playing field. The program emphasizes core values such as discovery, innovation, and gracious professionalism, helping children develop a positive attitude toward learning. Maryland FIRST supports these teams by offering qualifier events, expos, and training days that prepare coaches and students alike. The season culminates in championship events where teams showcase their work and celebrate their achievements with peers from across the region.

For middle school students, FIRST Tech Challenge offers a bridge between introductory robotics and the advanced challenges of high school competition. Teams design, build, and program robots using a reusable kit of parts, then compete in head-to-head matches that require strategic thinking and teamwork. Students take on roles ranging from mechanical design to software development to outreach and documentation. Maryland FIRST organizes qualifiers and championship events where FTC teams demonstrate their skills and earn recognition for engineering excellence. The program encourages students to think like engineers while also developing leadership, communication, and project management abilities that serve them in any future career.

FIRST Robotics Competition challenges high school students to build industrial-size robots in a short build season, working alongside professional mentors from engineering, technology, and manufacturing fields. Teams raise funds, design a brand, and develop a robot capable of competing in a fast-paced game against other teams from around the region. The Chesapeake Regional and other Maryland events draw hundreds of teams and thousands of spectators each season. Beyond the competition, FRC students gain real-world experience in project management, budgeting, and public speaking. Many alumni go on to pursue STEM careers and return as mentors, continuing the cycle of learning and inspiration that defines the Maryland FIRST community.