FIRST is an organization that is powered by volunteers (both technical and non-technical) who bring a broad range of talents, expertise, and experience to the FTC program. Our volunteers include engineers, teachers, business professionals, university students, and parents, to name just a few, who coach and mentor teams of students, organize and support competitions and events, or manage much of the day to day details that make FIRST Tech Challenge possible. With over seventy FTC teams in Illinois, the Illinois League Meets and Tournaments, Illinois State Championship and several off-season events; there is ample opportunity for everyone to share the very skills that are used in their everyday lives and jobs and make a lasting impact on the students that they reach. As an FTC volunteer, you will have the opportunity to help inspire students and change their lives. You will have the ability to open a door for them that they may never have thought to open for themselves.
Whether you’d like to try volunteering at an event or becoming a Coach or Mentor, everyone can make a difference at Illinois FTC. FIRST FTC volunteers are women and men of every age and occupation. FIRST FTC volunteers are just like you!
The Related Links at the right side of this screen are set up to help you volunteer. To volunteer at a competition, select "Sign up as an Event Volunteer Today". Register and select an event (such as the Illinois FTC State Championship). Then indicate what position you'd like to sign up for, and we will contact you to help. To volunteer as a mentor, contact a team you know of or send us an email at ftc-contact@firstillinoisrobotics.org Then we will help connect you with a team. For more information, check out the additional links listed.
Volunteers at League Meets, League Tournaments, and the Illinois State Championship not only have the opportunity to be an essential part of this high-tech, exciting and fun-filled event, they also have the unique opportunity to watch young participants learn, invent, cooperate and compete, applying the knowledge and skills developed through the FTC program. The State Championship depends on an abundance of volunteers with a broad spectrum of talents. There is something to suit everyone’s style—whether you like fast-past actions or helping behind-the-scenes.
FIRST Tech Challenge Mentors are faced with the challenging and rewarding task of leading their students on an exciting journey into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This can seem overwhelming, especially if you're a non-technical mentor. There are also challenging, non-technical aspects of FTC like fundraising and team building. Mentors engage and inspire students in ways far beyond science and technology. They enable both students and adults alike to appreciate the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism®.
Both Coaches and Mentors work extensively with team members during the build season, designing, building, and fabricating a functional robot for Competition. Coaches ensure that team members have a complete and accurate understanding of the rules of the game, help to develop effective game playing strategies and teach their drive teams how to successfully work together with their alliance partners. On the playing field, Coaches set the example of Coopertition® and Gracious Professionalism®.
Volunteers, Mentors, and Coaches fill many roles on their teams such as facilitators, advisors, teachers, and cheerleaders with both students and adults benefiting – the students gain valuable “real-world” knowledge while adults are reinvigorated by the students’ enthusiasm and “can do” attitudes.
“I welcome the opportunity to encourage everyone I meet to get involved with FIRST as a Volunteer, a Mentor, or by supporting a team. The rewards are simply too immense to summarize in words…” Nicole Collazo, Senior Software Engineer II -Raytheon
FIRST Illinois Robotics
First Lego League Jr
FIRST LEGO League
First Tech Challenge
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