Maryland FIRST Robotics: Team Resources

FIRST and many other organizations, including other teams, provide a variety of resources and training for both veteran and rookie FIRST teams. This page contains links to manuals, documents and other resources that will increase your knowledge of FIRST and its various components.

FRC Team Resources

Baltimore Area Alliance - Group of Baltimore-area FRC teams that share fundraising resources, mentors and knowledge
Battle O' Baltimore - FRC exhibition event typically held in August, presented by the Baltimore Area Alliance
Bill's Blog - News direct from the FRC Director at FIRST
Calendar of Important Deadlines - An important list of dates, including registration deadlines, to keep your team on track through the season
ChiefDelphi - The unofficial forums for FIRST inter-team communication, development, and interaction
Communications Resource Center - A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season
Documents and Updates - A list of important information for the FRC Season
For Teams, By Teams - Resources selected by the President's Circle teams that are particularly useful for helping start new teams
FIRST Base - The Autodesk Source for FIRST Teams, includes free software and training
FIRST Canada Workshop Presentations - A collection of information designed to support and teach teams about various principles of FRC
FIRST Forums - The FRC web forum created for constructive communication, problem solving, and idea sharing between teams
FIRST Scholarships - A comprehensive list of educational opportunities to allow FIRST students to further pursue majors and careers in many technological fields
FIRSTwiki - An open-content encyclopedia for the FIRST Robotics Competition
Mentor Resources Library - Comprehensive collection of material to help mentors of FRC teams
MERIT (Mentoring Experienced Robotics Teams in Transition) (pdf) - A program designed by FRC Team 303 to support veteran and struggling teams to rebuild and continue to succeed in FIRST
RINOS (Rookies in Need of Support) - A program started by FRC Team 25 designed to help new teams develop and find their path to success
Team Handbook (pdf) - Documentation providing information for organizing any FIRST team
Team in a Box - A DVD, CD, and pamphlet package assembled by FRC Team 341 to assist in the creation of new FIRST Robotics teams

FTC Team Resources

Communications Resource Center -A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season

FIRST Base - The Autodesk Source for FIRST Teams, includes free software and training

FIRST Forums -The FTC community web forum created for constructive communication, problem solving, and idea sharing between teams

FIRST Scholarships - A comprehensive list of educational opportunities to allow FIRST students to further pursue majors and careers in many technological fields

FTC Blog - News direct from the FTC Director at FIRST

FLL Team Resources

Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy - LEGO Robots & Resources

Communications Resource Center - A detailed list including important team information and resources to help teams throughout the season

International Forum - The FLL community web forum created for constructive communication, problem solving, and idea sharing between teams

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build - The team behind The NXT STEP blog has packaged some of their considerable skills and experience in this book, and even included instructions for eight robots you can build yourself

NXT Robotics Competition Workbook - A great resource for new and experienced teams including information for teachers, coaches, mentors, and students to begin organizing and tackling the challenges ahead

Robotics Competition Journals -A cheap collection of fun, 40-page journals perfect for recording the entire process of a team's FLL season

Team Resources -A collection of tips and information on preparing, programming, building, and participation in FLL

Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy

High Tech Kids

LEGO Digital Designer

TechBrick Robotics: Worksheets, scoring, sheets, and tons of tips and advice

The NXT STEP LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog: The busiest NXT Blog in the world with a huge amount of great info

Tutorials and Guides

Autodesk Tutorials - A catalog of self-taught lessons for Autodesk Inventor & Autodesk 3D Studio Max

The Blue Alliance - A video tutorial series teaching relevant topics to competitive robotics teams.

List of Tools for Rookie FRC Teams (pdf) - An important starting guide for new FIRST teams

NXT Programming Guide - A book that will teach teams to easily program a robot with the NXT-G visual programming language, as well as learn to implement basic, intermediate, and advanced programs.

Olin Sharing FIRST - An accomplished demonstration board providing useful information about robot components

OpenFIRST - An open-source initiative to help FIRST Robotics teams prosper in web development

PneumaticsFIRST - A site of resources created by the fluid power industry to offer guidance in applying pneumatics to FIRST robots

Suppliers and Manufacturers

Anaheim Extrusion Co. - Supplier of custom-made extruded aluminum

AndyMark, Inc. - FIRST-approved retailer of special machinery

Badge-A-Minit - Retailer for button equipment and supplies

Bimba Manufacturing Company - Retailer of industry-leading pneumatic technologies

Digi-Key - Supplier of various electronic components

LEGO Education - The FLL program utilizes products from LEGO Education, Each year, FLL teams purchase their Challenge Sets from LEGO Education.

Microchip Technology Inc. - Software provider for FRC Programming

MSC Industrial Supply Company - A large industrial supplier offering over 50,000 items with one-day shipping

Outwater Plastics Industries, Inc. - Retailer of extruded aluminum

Pitsco Education - Supplier of TETRIX Robotic Design System

Rob Bayer.com - A FIRST-based programming resource offering tutorials, tools, and software downloads

Small Parts Co. - A catalog and supplier of over 15,000 hard-to-find quality engineering tools and materials

WM Berg - Division of Rexnord, provider of miniature precision mechanical components

Fundraising

Fundraising Ideas & Product Center - A collection of fundraising resources for non-profit organizations

Fundraiser Help - A database of tips, tutorials, and ideas for school and non-profit fundraising

Step By Step Fundraising - A cohesive listing of fundraising strategies, including a free monthly newsletter and e-book

Funds for Your Group - An online offering from Interstate Batteries that allows teams to have small custom stores that generate 30% commission on sales.

Other Resources

ASEE - The official website for the American Society of Engineering Education

ASME - The official website for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME Guide to Starting A FIRST Team

IEEE - The official website for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

FIRST Community Alumni - Official community for alumni designed to increase continued support of FIRST.

NASA Robotics Alliance - An educational program designed to increase robotics expertise in the U.S.

NEMO - The official website for the FIRST Robotics Non-Engineering Mentor Organization, the support group and information exchange for adult mentors

NSBE - The official website for the National Society of Black Engineers

Robot Chicks Union - The official website for the Robot Chicks Union, advocates of the involvement of females in FIRST

Science Resources - A non-profit organization that promotes quality science and engineering education

SME - The official website for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers

SWE - The official website for the Society of Women Engineers, advocates for women achieving their full potential in engineering careers