FIRST® Programs
Spartanics, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offers FIRST® robotics programs exclusively for Katy ISD students — from elementary through high school.
What is FIRST®?
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. Founded in 1989, FIRST engages students in mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills.
Spartanics brings these world-class programs to Katy ISD students, providing a pathway from elementary school through high school where students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and real-world engineering skills.
Our Programs
Two FIRST® programs for Katy ISD students at every stage of their robotics journey.
FLL — FIRST LEGO League
Elementary & Middle School Students
FIRST LEGO League introduces younger students to STEM through hands-on robotics with LEGO® elements. Students design, build, and program fully autonomous robots — no remote control during competition — while developing research, presentation, and creative problem-solving skills.
- •Build and program LEGO® robots for autonomous missions
- •Robots run pre-programmed routines — no driver control
- •Research real-world problems and present innovative solutions
- •Learn teamwork, coding, and creative problem-solving
- •Compete in regional qualifiers and advance to championships
FTC — FIRST Tech Challenge
Middle & High School Students
FIRST Tech Challenge takes robotics to the next level with industry-standard tools and alliance-based competition. Matches feature an autonomous period followed by a driver-controlled (TeleOp) period with manual gamepad control.
- •Autonomous phase: Pre-programmed routines using sensors and computer vision
- •TeleOp phase: Drivers manually control the robot with gamepads
- •Program with Java and Android Studio on REV Control Hubs
- •Design and build advanced robots with custom mechanisms
- •Compete in league meets, qualifiers, and world championships
The Spartanics Pathway
A complete robotics journey for Katy ISD students from elementary through high school.
Elementary & Middle School (Grades 4–8)
Students discover robotics with LEGO®, programming fully autonomous robots while learning teamwork and creative problem-solving.
Middle & High School (Grades 7–12)
Students advance to building competition-ready robots with both autonomous and driver-controlled capabilities, programming with Java, and competing at league, regional, and world championship levels.