FIRST & FRC Basics
What does the acronym FIRST stand for?
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
Which game used pool noodles as litter?
Recycle Rush(2015)
This team is nicknamed "Flaming Chickens"
Team 1540
What does PWN stand for?
Pacific Northwest
How many people from one team are on the drive team during a match and who are they?
3 - drive team
1 - coach
What is a 'tank drive'?
What programming languages are officially supported for FRC robots?
Java, C++, and LabVIEW
What is the new name for the Chairman's Award as of 2023?
FIRST Impact Award, the most prestigious team honor in FRC.
Who founded FIRST and in what year?
Dean Kamen
“It’s not about the robots. It’s never been about the robots. We are not using kids to build robots; we are using robots to build kids.”
— Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST
Name the game the had robots shooting Frisbee-like discs into goals.
Ultimate Ascent(2013)
Team 2046 from Washington goes by what name?
Bear Metal
Which U.S states are in the PNW District?
Oregon and Washington
How long is the autonomous period during a standard FRC match?
15 seconds
What drive system allows the robot to move its wheel independently?
Swerve drive
What is WPILib?
WPILib is the standard software library provided for teams to write code for their FRC robots. Containing APIs such as sensors, motors, and driver station.
Which award is given to an outstanding mentor in FRC each year?
The Woodie Flowers Award, named after Dr. Woodie Flowers, honors excellent mentors who inspire their teams.
What does FRC stand for?
FIRST Robotics Competition
What was the 2019 FRC game and theme?
DESTINATION: Deep Space has a space exploration theme
Some might think this team copies it competition
Team 955 CTRL C
Where will the PNW District Championship be held in 2026?
Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
Reese Court arena
What does a Red Card penalty mean in FRC?
This motor type was first allowed during the 2018 season Power Up
Brushless motors with the introduction of NEO motor by REV Robotics
What does FMS stand for and what is its role?
Field Management System(FMS). It controls the field during events, and manages communications between robots and the field network.
What award recognizes individual student leaders on an FRC team?
The Dean's List Award which celebrates outstanding student team members for leadership, entrepreneurship, and dedication.
Name one other program under FIRST besides FRC.
FIRST Lego League
FIRST Tech Challenge
What game pieces did robots manipulate in the 2023 game Charged Up?
Cones and Cubes
This team is NASA-affiliated called "Robonauts"
Team 118
How many district qualifier events will be held this year?
9
2-2-2-2-1
What safety gear is required for everyone in the pits and near the field?
Safety glasses are required at all times.
What is the name of the robot's main control computer("The Brain")
roboRIO by National Instruments which replaced the older cRIO system
How can robots "see" targets on the field?
Through the assistance of cameras and vision processing, which can aid in robot control tracking location, and align with goals
What is "Gracious Professionalism"?
Gracious Professionalism® is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Gracious Professionalism is not clearly defined for a reason. It can and should mean different things to everyone.
What’s the purpose of the FRC “Kit of Parts” ?
It provides a baseline set of components/credits to help teams build a legal robot each season.
What was the first FRC Competition game name and when did it take place?
Maize Craze in 1992
What is the name of Team 2910
Jack in the Bot
Approximately how many team are in the PNW
~132
Name one item FIRST recommends keeping available when working with batteries.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), acid-resistant leak-proof gloves, and/or a non-metallic leak-proof container.
CAN bus allows multiple devices to communicate over two wires, what does CAN stand for?
Controller Area Network
What does PID stand for?
Proportional, Integral, Derivative.
Used to hold mechanisms steady or move to positions accurately.
What is the Team Spirit Award?
Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST.
Where was the FIRST Championship held from 1995 through 2002?
Epcot Center in Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida)
What was the 2012 game involved balancing robots on bridges for bonus points?
Rebound Rumble
Team 2471 of Camas, WA is known as this
Team Mean Machine
How do teams qualify for the PNW District Championship
By earning Ranking Points
What footwear is required for participants
Shoes that fully cover the foot with closed toes and heels; flip-flops/sandals/mules/Crocs/light slippers aren’t acceptable.
What’s the function of a main breaker?
It’s the robot’s master on/off safety disconnect.
What is odometry used for?
Estimating the robot’s position on the field using sensors (encoders/gyro, sometimes vision).
What is the Engineering Inspiration Award sponsored by SpaceX?
Celebrates a team who demonstrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization and community.
What does the term STEM stand for?
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
This game had airships and fuel balls in 2017
Steamworks
Benjamin Franklin once wrote "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes"
Team 1318 Issaquah Robotics Society(IRS)
What team sponsors BunnyBots and what is it?
Flaming Chickens; BunnyBots is an offseason event with a new game every year. Teams build a robot with double the time of a build season giving teams time to teach their new members skills for the build season.
What clothing/jewelry guidance is given for working near robots at events?
Avoid dangling jewelry or loose/baggy clothing; secure loose items so they don’t get caught in robots or machinery.
How is power distributed to all the motors and devices on the robot?
Power Distribution Hub(PDH) takes 12v from the battery and routes power to all the robot's motors, controllers, and electrical devices.
What is “Command-based” programming (WPILib)?
A structured pattern using Commands + Subsystems to manage robot actions cleanly.
In FIRST terms, what is “Coopertition”?
Competing intensely while also helping other teams succeed (sharing knowledge/support).