FIRST Tech Challenge

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INTO THE DEEP Season

In the INTO THE DEEP℠ presented by RTX challenge, launched September 7, 2024, FIRST Tech Challenge teams will dive their robots into the depths of the ocean to explore the unknown and reveal its wonders.

2024-25 FIRST Tech Challenge Season in British Columbia

In British Columbia, we’re planning for a season with scrimmages and our Provincial Championship in February 2025. Based on the number of registered FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams we expect there to be some qualifying tournaments held in January 2025.

INTOTHEDEEP Field
INTO THE DEEP Field

In INTO THE DEEPSM presented by RTX, two competing ALLIANCES collect deep sea SAMPLES to score in their NET ZONE or BASKETS, work with HUMAN PLAYERS to create SPECIMENS to score on the CHAMBERS of the SUBMERSIBLE and ASCEND from the depths before time runs out.

Registration

FTC Teams can register for events and competitions in British Columbia. Most events have capacity limits. Check out which teams are registered for which events.

Please use this Google form to register for events in BC.

Season Start

Question Box

Online Question Box for BC Referees, Inspectors, and Scorekeepers. Fill out this form to submit a question for a Referee, Robot Inspector, or Score Keeper. You can use this form to contact volunteers with a suggestion too!

Coaches/Mentor Meetings

The following are links to the Google slide shows for those meetings.

Workshops

  • Java/Robotics Programming Workshop – Thursdays from October 17 to December 15 at Esquimalt High School (Victoria area).
    Introductory workshop to what programming is, and how to program in Java and for Robotics.
    For more info and to register please fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/8S3Sf7hatBKazdDW8

Links to past workshops and tutorials can be found on our Workshops page.

Tutorials

  • INTO THE DEEP autonomous programming in Blocks. If learning Java to program your robot seems like too much, you can also program your robot in Blocks (a visual programming language). If you come from a FIRST LEGO League team you’ll be familiar with visual programming. The tutorial starts with an introduction to the autonomous period and the INTO THE DEEP game and continues with a couple of Blocks programs to get your robot moving in the autonomous period.
  • AprilTag Localization. This is a tutorial on using a new sample OpMode that makes use of AprilTags to determine robot position on the field. With six AprilTags on this year’s field, your robot is never far away from an AprilTag, so the robot can always determine where it is on the field.

Scrimmages

At a scrimmage teams play robot matches. They are usually hosted by a team and their school. The scores don’t carry forward like in league event. A scrimmage is optional, but it’s a chance to test your robot in actual matches and learn how the game is played before a Qualifier tournament.

If you wish to host a scrimmage, please contact Christine and we’ll add your event to this list.

Qualifying Tournaments

FIRST Tech Challenge qualifying tournaments include judging sessions, robot inspections, qualification matches, playoff matches, and awards. Teams advance to the BC FTC Championship based on awards and match play.

There is a news post about assignment of teams to the BC Qualifiers.

BC Championship 2025

FIRST Tech Challenge championship tournaments include judging sessions, robot inspections, qualification matches, playoff matches, and awards. Top teams will advance to the FIRST Championship in Houston TX in April 2025.

Past FTC Seasons

Click on this link if you are looking for past FTC seasons.