Competition
Robotics, role models and competition – inspire your students with the career-ready skills to engineer a better future.
Secondary
FIRST Tech Challenge UK is a six-month, student-led robotics programme for young people aged 12-18. From September to March, teams tackle a brand new engineering challenge, designing, building and coding a robot to compete for industry-judged awards at epic regional and national events. But it's far more than robots.
Teams also develop a business plan covering strategy, fundraising and community outreach – giving young people a well-rounded real-world experience of STEM. Every team member takes on a defined role, working together like a professional engineering team to achieve their goals and overcome challenges.
Through it all, young people develop the skills that real STEM careers demand, while gaining insight into where those skills can take them.
Teams can access an industry mentor to guide them through the season and act as a relatable role model. They are further supported by local organisations, including universities, STEM companies and other local participating teams, broadening young people's understanding of the pathways available to them. 71% of participants emerge wanting to pursue a STEM career.
Join FIRST Tech Challenge UK to build more than robots and equip your students with the skills to engineer a better future.
Cost
Full and partial bursaries are available to non-fee-paying schools to offset the cost of the reusable robotics kit.
Full – no kit contribution required
Partial – £300 contribution towards the kit
Applications are assessed based on the provider's targeting criteria to make STEM less intimidating, more diverse and inclusive.
Teams not in receipt of a bursary pay £1,200 for the reusable robotics kit (one-off cost) and the yearly £399 commitment fee.
All organisations pay the yearly £399 commitment fee. Costs are VAT inclusive.
Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
Creativity - Using imagination and generating new ideas
Leadership - Supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal
Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
Speaking - Transmitting information or ideas
Adapting - Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal
What the teachers sayLog in to write a testimonialWe would love to read all about your time with this experience!
Secondary
Inspire your students to get creative and build a STEM project in easy step-by-steps using The Big Bang Challenge!
Secondary
An exciting STEM and careers awareness programme that combines practical activities linked to real world context of technical roles.
Secondary
Live virtual lessons and assemblies aimed at inspiring students to consider a career in technology!
