Stage 02 of 04 · Builder
Competition Robotics: VEX V5 / FRC / FTC
Run a real season. Win some matches.
- Ages
- 13 – 18
- Duration
- ~20 weeks (season)
- Prereq
- C7 Robotics Engineering Fundamentals.
What students learn
What it takes to run a competition robotics season at the V5 / FTC / FRC level — strategy, CAD, fabrication, code (Python/Java/C++), driver practice, scouting, and the engineering notebook that wins judged awards.
Real engineering project management. CAD-then-build discipline. Calm under match pressure. Mentorship instincts. The off-season habit of mentoring the next team.
Module-by-module
Strategy
Game analysis, scoring math, alliance picking. Strategy doc.
CAD the robot
Onshape or Fusion. Full CAD assembly before metal.
Build v1
Fabricate, assemble, wire. Driveable v1.
Code v1
Driver controls + first auto. Working at scrimmage.
Iterate
Every match teaches you something. Revision log.
Engineering notebook
Week-by-week, judges-ready. Notebook complete.
Drive practice
Repetition + scoring drills. Measured improvement.
Scouting & alliance
Pit + match scouting. Scouting database.
Regional / state
Compete. Results + post-mortem.
Off-season build
Keep going, mentor the next team.
What they make
A competition-ready robot, an engineering notebook judges can read, and a season’s worth of match data + lessons.
Walk away with
Project management as a habit. Mentorship instincts. Composure under pressure.
Free resources we recommend
WPILib “Zero to Robot”
The FRC programming bible.
Documentation + tutorials
VEX Education STEM Labs
Same org that runs the V5 / EXP competitions.
Structured STEM Labs
FTC programming + FTC SIM
Free sanctioned simulator.
Documentation + browser simulator
Honorable mentions
- Robot in 3 DaysStrategy + design-thinking content from top FRC teams.
- FRC team open-source reposBest-in-class real code to read (team 254, 6328, etc.).
Next step
Innovator project (robotics-flavored) or mentoring a younger team.