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Robotics Judging
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Last updated October 17, 2010

One opportunity for MIT CNC members to get involved is by judging or otherwise volunteering at one of the dozens of K-12 robotics tournaments held each year in Northern California. This is part of a nationwide effort by the MIT Alumni Association and local chapters to help promote the efforts of US First.

K-12 Robotics and MIT’s 2.70

These tournaments are part of a series of nationwide robotics competitions created by the non-profit US First foundation, which was formed in 1989 to encourage career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. Today First and its affiliates organize annual robotics competitions in all 50 states and nearly 40 countries around the world.

The competitions are inspired by the MIT 2.70 machine design class created by MIT Professor Woodie Flowers. Flowers remains the leading technical advisor to US First, and each year the organization gives the Woodie Flowers Award to an outstanding robotics mentor.

US First runs four separate robotics programs for K-12 students:

  • Jr FLL (Jr. First Lego League) for ages 6-9, a non-competitive program using Lego pieces;
  • FLL (First Lego League) for ages 9-14, using Lego Pieces and Lego Mindstorms components (see this YouTube video);
  • FTC (First Tech Challenge) for ages 14-18, using Tetrix metal parts and Lego Mindstorms components; and
  • FRC (First Robotics Competition) for ages 14-18, using student-designed, custom-manufactured robots; this is the subject of the PBS documentary “Gearing Up”

The latter three competitions culminate at the international First championships, held each year in Atlanta in April. Numerous professional and amateur highlight videos are available on YouTube.

The First program also offer the possibility of college scholarships for participating seniors and juniors.

Volunteers are needed to help run the FRC, FTC and especially the FLL tournaments. In addition, all four of the programs (Jr FLL, FLL, FTC and FRC) often require mentors or other adult assistance to help teams at local schools. Check with your nearest school(s) to see if they are involved in one of these programs and need help.

Need for FLL Judges, Referees and Other Volunteers

In Northern California, the greatest need for volunteers is for the FLL program, which attracts more than 6,000 teams across North America and about 380 teams in Northern California.

In the 2010-2011 season, the Nor Cal FLL will be organizing more than 25 tournaments on weekends from November-January:

  • First round qualifying tournaments: 20+ tournaments on Nov 13, 14, 20 and 21
  • Second round regional tournaments: Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12
  • NorCal championship: weekend of Jan. 22 or 29

These tournaments will be held from San Jose to Chico, and each will require 20-60 volunteers. Each tournament needs a wide range of volunteers and skills, from former robotics competitors (or K-12 science judges) to high school kids seeking community service hours. Some responsibilities require training or prior experience, but many do not.

For more information on dates/locations, responsibilities and how to sign up, see the NorCalFLL volunteer page.

FTC Volunteers

The rapidly growing NorCal FTC program also needs volunteers for weekend tournaments:

As with FLL, there are a variety of roles, including opportunities without prior training and volunteering opportunties for high school students. For more information, see the FTC volunteer page.


FRC Volunteers

In additional to FLL, volunteers are also needed for the other Northern California robotics tournaments:


See US First website for the official info on both tournaments.

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