FIRST Robotics Competition

FIRST Robotics Competition

FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition.

Each year, teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work during a six-week period to build robots capable of competing in that year’s game.

FRC Team 467: Center of Mass is The Shrewsbury High School robotics team that competes in FIRST Robotics. We have competed every year since our rookie season in 2000.

This program is open to any High School student who attends Shrewsbury High School and is in good academic standing.

The team is led by student leaders, industry engineers, parents, and community members. An engineering committee consisting of mentors and engineering sub-team student leaders direct the creation of the robot throughout the build season which starts in early January.

After the robot is complete, the team competes in at least two district competitions; these usually occur in late February, through March. If eligible, we also compete in the New England District and World Championship competitions.

Throughout the year, the team also actively works to support the mission of FIRST through outreach and participation in many team and community events.

Experience a FIRST Robotics Competition

The best way to experience FIRST Robotics is to attend a local competition . All events are free and open to the public.

Alternatively, you can gain some understanding by watching many of the matches available on YouTube.

For example, here is Team 467 competing in the semi final at our first 2024 season event:

… and for comparison, here are the best robots in the world competing in the final match from the 2024 World Championship:

Gracious Professionalism

A key element of competing in FIRST Robotics is the concept of Gracious Professionalism first coined by one of the founders of FIRST; Dr. Woodie Flowers.

FRC Team 467: Center of Mass embraces Gracious Professionalism and applies it to all aspects of our team and community.

Student Benefits

In addition to the fun of participating in FIRST Robotics Competition, students also gain the following:

  • Learn real-world mechanical engineering, manufacturing, electronics and programming skills from professional engineers.
  • Build and compete with a robot of their own design and manufacture.
  • Learn to use modern, complex software and hardware in an integrated system.
  • Compete and cooperate with their peers in alliances and tournaments.
  • Work to earn a place in the District and World Championships.
  • Qualify for some of the millions of dollars available in college scholarships .