FIRST and many other organizations, including other teams, provide a variety of resources and training for both veteran and rookie FIRST teams. This page contains links to manuals, documents and other resources that will increase your knowledge of FIRST and its various components.
FRC Team Resources- ChiefDelphi - The unofficial forums for FIRST inter-team communication, development, and interaction
- Documents and Updates - A list of important information for the 2008 FRC Season
- FIRST Base - The Autodesk Source for FIRST Teams, includes free software and training
- FIRST Canada Workshop Presentations - A collection of information designed to support and teach teams about various principles of FRC.
- MERIT (Mentoring Experienced Robotics Teams in Transition) - A program designed by FRC Team 303 to support veteran and struggling teams to rebuild and continue to succeed in FIRST
- RINOS (Rookies in Need of Support) - A program started by FRC Team 25 designed to help new teams develop and find their path to success.
- Team Handbook - Documentation providing information for organizing any FIRST team
- Team in a Box - A DVD, CD, and pamphlet package assembled to assist in the creation of new FIRST Robotics teams
- Bill's Blog - FRC FIRST director's blog
- Communications Resource Center- A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season
- For Teams by Teams - Resources selected by the President's Circle teams that are particularly useful for starting new teams
- FIRST Scholarships - A comprehensive list of educational opportunities to allow FIRST students to further pursue majors and careers in many technological fields
- FIRST wiki- An open-content encyclopedia for the FIRST Robotics Competition
FTC Team Resources
- 2008 FTC Coaches’ Manual -Documentation assisting Tech coaches in building a team, building a season, mechanics, a tournament overview and more
- FIRST Scholarships - A comprehensive list of educational opportunities to allow FIRST students to further pursue majors and careers in many technological fields
- Communications Resource Center - A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season
- FIRST Base - The Autodesk Source for FIRST Teams, includes free software and training
- FTC Blog - FIRST FTC director's blog
FLL Team Resources
- The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build - The team behind The NXT STEP blog has packaged some of their considerable skills and experience in this book, and even included instructions for eight robots you can build yourself.
- Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy- LEGO Robots & Resources
- Communications Resource Center - A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season
- International Forum - The FLL community web forum created for constructive communication, problem solving, and idea sharing between teams
- NXT Robotics Competition Workbook - A great resource for new and experienced teams including information for teachers, coaches, mentors, and students to begin organizing and tackling the challenges ahead.
- Robotics Competition Journals -A cheap collection of fun, 40-page journals perfect for recording the entire process of a team's FLL season
- Team Resources -A collection of tips and information on preparing, programming, building, and participation in FLL
- High Tech Kids
- LEGO Digital Designer
- TechBrick Robotics
- The NXT STEP LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog - The busiest NXT Blog in the world
Tutorials and Guides
- The Blue Alliance - A video tutorial series teaching relevant topics to competitive robotics teams.
- Autodesk Tutorials - A catalog of self-taught lessons for Autodesk Inventor & Autodesk 3D Studio Max
- Educational Robotics Kit Guide - A general overview of robot subsystems, hardware, electrical components, and programming
- List of Tools for Rookie FRC Teams - An important starting guide for new FIRST teams
- NXT Programming Guide - A book that will teach teams to easily program a robot with the NXT-G visual programming language, as well as learn to implement basic, intermediate, and advanced programs.
- Olin Sharing FIRST - An accomplished demonstration board providing useful information about robot components
- OpenFIRST - An open-source initiative to help FIRST Robotics teams prosper in web development
- PneumaticsFIRST - A site of resources created by the fluid power industry to offer guidance in applying pneumatics to FIRST robots
Suppliers and Manufacturers
- Anaheim Extrusion Co. - Supplier of custom-made extruded aluminum
- AndyMark, Inc. - FIRST-approved retailer of special machinery
- Badge-A-Minit - Retailer for button equipment and supplies
- Bimba Manufacturing Company - Retailer of industry-leading pneumatic technologies
- Digi-Key - Supplier of various electronic components
- Innovation FIRST, Inc. - Official supplier of electronics for the FIRST Robotics Competition
- LEGO Education - The FLL program utilizes products from LEGO Education, Each year, FLL teams purchase their Challenge Sets from LEGO Education.
- Microchip Technology Inc. - Software provider for FRC Programming
- MSC Industrial Supply Company - A large industrial supplier offering over 50,000 items with one-day shipping
- Outwater Plastics Industries, Inc. - Retailer of extruded aluminum
- Rob Bayer.com - A FIRST-based programming resource offering tutorials, tools, and software downloads
- Small Parts Co. - A catalog and supplier of over 15,000 hard-to-find quality engineering tools and materials
- Vex Labs - Official supplier of electronics, kits, parts and accessories for the Vex Robotics Design System
- WM Berg - Division of Rexnord, provider of miniature precision mechanical components
Fundraising
- Fundraising Ideas & Product Center - A collection of fundraising resources for non-profit organizations
- Fundraiser Help - A database of tips, tutorials, and ideas for school and non-profit fundraising
- Step By Step Fundraising - A cohesive listing of fundraising strategies, including a free monthly newsletter and e-book
- Funds for Your Group - An online offering from Interstate Batteries that allows teams to have small custom stores that generate 30% commission on sales
Other Resources
- ASEE - The official website for the American Society of Engineering Education
- ASME - The official website for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- ECDU - The unofficial community for the East Coast Drivers Union
- IEEE - The official website for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
- FIRST Community Alumni - Official community for alumni designed to increase continued support of FIRST.
- NASA Robotics Alliance - An educational program designed to increase robotics expertise in the U.S.
- NEMO - The official website for the FIRST Robotics Non- Engineering Mentor Organization, the support group and information exchange for adult mentors
- RCU - The official website for the Robot Chicks Union, advocates of the involvement of females in FIRST
- Science Resources - A non-profit organization that promotes quality science and engineering education
- SME - The official website fro the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- SWE - The official website for the Society of Women Engineers, advocates for women achieving their full potential in engineering careers
Last Updated 2/15/10