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Explore skills

Browse every skill by division and folder, and open the guides, links and quizzes that help you build them — no account needed.

Pick a division and role to see the skills it requires and at what level — or browse everything below.

Build

Year 1
Knowledge Shop safety rules, machine hazards, lockout/tagout 1 resource
Knowledge Materials basics (Al / steel / poly / Delrin / PLA)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Fasteners: sizes, threads, torque, threadlocker

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Engineering-drawing conventions (orthographic, dims, tolerance)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Reading a drawing

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Hand tools: drill, tap, deburr, file

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Riveting (plate to box tube)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill 3D-printer operation (slice, print, post-process)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Power tools: bandsaw, drill press, sander

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Pneumatics assembly (tubing, fittings, leak-finding)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Reading a tape measure & caliper

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Year 2
Knowledge Design-for-manufacturing for the team's shop

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Sheet-metal math (bend allowance, K-factor, radii)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge FRC inspection requirements (electrical / mechanical / safety)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Mill operation

Fluency

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Lathe operation

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill CNC operation (router / waterjet / mill)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Sheet-metal bending on the brake

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Welding (if the team welds)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Measurement at tolerance (micrometer, dial indicator)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Own subsystem fabrication

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Diagnose & repair in the pit under time pressure

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Year 3
Ability Architect your division's systems for the season

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Teach Year 1 & Year 2 students

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Lead cross-division design reviews & integration

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Own your division for the whole robot / season

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Build infrastructure & sustainability (libraries, sim, pipelines, culture)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Specialize into advanced topics

No resources linked to this skill yet.

CAD

Skill Drawing creation (dims, tolerance, BOM, title block)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Own a subsystem end-to-end in design

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Programming

Knowledge Robot program lifecycle (20 ms loop, init vs. periodic)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Set up toolchain & deploy robot code

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Get a robot moving under your own code (code + elec + mech)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Closed-loop control (PID, feedforward, motion profiling)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Tune closed-loop control on a real mechanism

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Telemetry / dashboard building (NetworkTables, Shuffleboard/Elastic)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Own a subsystem in code

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Business & Marketing

Skill Professional email & thank-you notes

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Represent the team to the public (explain FIRST)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Strategy

Knowledge Strategic design (game analysis, chokehold vs. cycle, tradeoffs)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Everyone

Not technically a division, but this will help organize KSAs everyone should know

Knowledge FIRST values & Gracious Professionalism 1 resource
Knowledge Season game rules & scoring (read the manual)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Team structure, roles & season calendar

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Pit-crew basics (checklist, battery swap)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Follow shop / event / electrical safety under supervision

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Know your limits and ask for help

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Hazard-assessment principles

Fluency

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Project management (timelines, agendas, owners)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Run safety briefings & the safety program

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Cross-division mechanism bring-up (design + fab + wire + code)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Proactively spot & correct hazards

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Drive Team

Skill Drive-team role practice (driver / operator / human player / coach)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Electrical

Year 1
Knowledge Electrical & battery safety principles

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Wire prep: strip, crimp, solder, heat-shrink

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Connector assembly (Powerpole / PWM / CAN)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Knowledge Control-system architecture (roboRIO, PDH, radio)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Multi-Meter Basics (Voltage, Continuity, Ohms)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Year 2
Knowledge Motor-controller configuration (CAN IDs, current limits, status frames)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Wire a complete subsystem (battery → breaker → controller → motor)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Sensor wiring & integration (encoder / limit / IMU)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Skill Electrical debugging (shorts, opens, intermittent)

No resources linked to this skill yet.

Ability Own subsystem wiring

No resources linked to this skill yet.