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
       
  • What is the timeline for joining the team?
    • May 1st: Applications Open
    • May 15th: Open House at Vector Space (12:30-6:30pm)
    • May 31st: Applications Due
    • June: Summer Roster Announced; Summer Enrichment includes evaluation of student performance
    • September: Final Roster Announced; Payment + Student Commitment Due
    • October: Blue Ridge Brawl Off-Season competition
    • Jan 9th: FRC Kickoff Event
    • Jan 10th: Strategy Practice 1-4pm
    • Build Season (Jan  11 - March 11)
      • Meetings Mon-Thurs 6-8:30pm
      • Meetings Saturday 10am-4pm
    • Competition Season (March 12 - April 12)
      • Meetings Mon-Thurs 6-8:30pm
      • Meetings Saturday 10am-4pm
      • March 12 - 14: Travel to Competition in Richmond (tentative)
      • March 26 - 28: Travel to Competition in Blacksburg (tentative)
      • April 8 - 11: Travel to District Championships in Petersburg (pending qualification)
    • Post Season (May 2 onward)
      • May 1st: End of Season Cookout + Worlds Watch Party
      • TBA: Community Outreach Events throughout the year (3-5 total)

What is included in the $500 registration fee? Will there be additional costs?

  • Team registration includes the following:
    • Summer Enrichment programming
    • Fall off-season event including 6-8 practice sessions (1x per week)
    • 140+ hours of coached robotics
    • Team t-shirts
  • In addition to registration families are expected to:
    • Provide Saturday lunches during build season and contribute to meals + snacks during competition travel 
    • Travel to and room with students during their first season of competition (returning students are offered the option to stay with teammates during travel, and these expenses are covered)
    • Cover additional travel expenses, pending team qualification for District 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. 
    • Following application review, students will be evaluated during Summer Enrichment programming. Coaches will be looking at students' ability to learn the content, and how they collaborate in a team environment.
    • 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?