For a New Student: How to Join a Team

You don't need experience — you need to show up#

The biggest myth in FRC is that you must already know engineering. You don't. Teams are built to teach beginners. Here's how to get on one.

Step 1: Find a team near you#

• Use the official FIRST 'Find Local Programs' / team-event search on firstinspires.org to see teams registered to your school or area.
• Check with your school's STEM/engineering teacher or counselor — many schools host a team.
• Browse The Blue Alliance (thebluealliance.com) and search your city/state to find nearby teams and see how they've performed.
• If your school has no team, look for a community or 'open' team that accepts students from multiple schools.

Step 2: Reach out the right way#

• Email the team's mentor or student captain (contact info is often on their website or social media). Be polite and specific: 'I'm a 9th grader interested in joining; when do you meet?'
• Mention any interest area — coding, building, art/media, business — so they know where you might fit. Remember: there's a role for everyone.
• Ask about meeting times, dues, and travel costs. Many teams offer financial assistance; don't let cost stop you from asking.

Step 3: Show up prepared#

• Bring safety glasses if you have them (shops require ANSI Z87-rated eye protection) and closed-toe shoes.
• Be ready to listen and help with small tasks first — sweeping, sorting hardware, holding parts. Reliability earns trust fast.
• Start learning the vocabulary from this guide so you can follow conversations (auto, teleop, RP, drivetrain, roboRIO).

Step 4: Learn alongside the team#

While you ramp up, study free resources:

• WPILib Zero-to-Robot for the software/control basics: https://docs.wpilib.org
• Onshape's free FRC CAD courses if design interests you: https://www.onshape.com/en/education/first-robotics
• Match videos from 2024 CRESCENDO, 2025 REEFSCAPE, and 2026 REBUILT on the FIRST YouTube channel to understand gameplay.

Step 5: Can you join mid-season?#

Often, yes. Many teams welcome new members even after the season starts, especially for scouting, media, and pit-crew roles that don't require months of prior training. If you missed the fall, ask anyway — and plan to join fully at the next recruiting cycle.

A note on cost and inclusion#

FIRST and many teams provide scholarships, grants, and need-based assistance. The community strongly values Inclusion (a core value). If money or transportation is a barrier, say so — teams routinely help solve it.

Learn more#

• Find Local Programs (team & event search): https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search
• The Blue Alliance (find teams): https://www.thebluealliance.com