The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) for middle and high school students. FTC is designed to inspire and engage students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields by challenging them to design, build, and program a robot to complete specific tasks on a playing field. Teams of students, guided by mentors, participate in the competition, where they not only showcase their technical skills but also demonstrate qualities like teamwork, problem-solving, and sportsmanship.

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In the FTC competition, teams are provided with a standard set of robot parts and a game challenge at the beginning of each season. The challenge typically involves a series of tasks that the robots must complete autonomously and under human control. Teams have a limited timeframe to design, build, and program their robots before competing in regional, state, and potentially national competitions. Beyond the technical aspects, FTC emphasizes the importance of the engineering design process, strategic thinking, and collaboration among team members, fostering a holistic approach to STEM education.