FAQ for FRC

Elise Spontarelli -

Thanks for your interest in the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition Team hosted by Vector Space. Below are frequently asked questions to help your family decide if FRC is a good fit for you.

  • Where can I learn more about the FIRST Robotics Competition?
  • What is Vector Space? 
    • Located at 2004 Memorial Avenue, Vector Space is a nonprofit community makerspace that fosters hands-on education for teens and adults. We offer tours on the First Friday of each month, 5-8pm if you’d like to see our 23,000 workshop. Read about our Educational Philosophy here: https://vector-space.org/files/edu_case_statement.pdf
       
  • I received a “Golden Ticket” (actually stainless steel). What does it mean?
    • Congratulations! A Golden Ticket is the equivalent of a teacher (or other respected adult) recommendation. Hold on to your ticket and enter the code on the back of the card on your application when prompted. Golden Tickets strengthen an application in the eyes of the Application Review Committee.
       
  • What is the timeline for joining the team?
    • Sept 19: Applications Open
    • Nov 1: Applications Due
    • Nov 22: Team Roster Announced
    • Dec 8: Payment + Student Commitment Due
    • Dec 18: Team Meet & Greet event at Vector Space
    • Jan 4: First Meeting
    • Build Season (Jan 4 - Feb 15)
      • Meetings Mon-Thurs 6-8:30pm
      • Meetings Saturday 10am-4pm
    • Competition Season (Feb 15 - March 29)
      • Meetings Mon-Wed 6-8:30pm 
      • Feb 28 - March 2: Travel to Competition in Richmond
      • March 21 - 23: Travel to Competition in Blacksburg
      • TBA: Additional travel depending on team performance during regular season (District Championship is April 3-6 in Maryland) 
    • Post Season (March 30 - January 2026)
      • March 30: First Outreach Event - Maker Faire Lynchburg at Randolph College
      • TBA: Additional Outreach Events throughout the year (3-5 total)
  • What is included in the $400 registration fee? Will there be additional costs?
    • Team registration includes the following:
      • 140+ hours of coached robotics
      • Team t-shirt
      • Travel to 2 regional competitions (travel and accommodations for team participants) 
    • Costs not included in the registration fee:
      • Meals during competition travel 
      • Additional travel expenses, pending team qualification for State or National competitions
      • What tools and skills will participants be learning?
         
  • There will be opportunities to learn the following:
  • CAD Design
  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Electrical
  • Leadership
  • Website/Social Media
  • Software
  • Fundraising
  • Field & Obstacle Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Outreach
  • Machining
  • 3D Printing
  • Welding
  • Prototyping
  • Laser cutting
  • Plasma cutting
  • And more!
  • What prior experience is expected from applicants?
    • While no prior experience is required, any projects that display curiosity and an interest in how things work will help a student’s application. Formal programs are great (camps, after school clubs, classroom projects), but they are not the only way to express an interest in engineering. Tinkering projects, inventions, creative builds, and sketchbooks are all great items to share with the Application Review Committee. And of course, prior experience at Vector Space or another workshop is highly valued. 
       
  • How will applicants be selected for the team?
    • We have selected a number of individuals in the community to serve on an Application Review Committee; this committee will do a blind assessment of FRC applications received. Identifying information will be removed from applications before the committee selects their top picks. Committee members include parents, educators, and professionals in our community. 
    • There will be a maximum of 15 students selected for the FRC team. To be eligible, all students must be in grades 9-12 (ages 14 to 18). Students from any area public, private, or home school are eligible. 
    • Strong applications will include a clear interest and passion for joining the team; prior experience in hands-on or engineering programs; creative students with unusual perspectives; self-driven students that have created independent projects; students with leadership skills; students with technical skills; students with soft skills such as public speaking, writing, and community outreach; and students that work well in a team setting. 
       
  • Do you need volunteers or mentors for the FRC team?
    • Yes! Mentors can let us know of their interest here: https://vector-space.org/frc-mentor-interest-form
    • If you’d like to help as a parent we will have opportunities for parent engagement throughout the year. Examples include providing snacks, planning team dinners, travel to competitions, help with outreach events, and more. 
       
  • How else can I support the team?
  • I have additional questions. Who should I contact?