• Location: Hartland Robotics Center, 9525 E. Highland Rd, Howell, MI 48843

• How to Apply: Applications open in May

• Program Duration: August to December

In FTC, the robot game challenges students to solve complex engineering problems through autonomous routines and teleoperated control. Our teams use advanced materials, motors, sensors, and real control systems, with programming done in Java. This is a major leap from FLL, and students learn to think like engineers—designing, testing, and refining their robots for optimal performance on the competition field.

Inspire represents the balance between technical excellence and team values. Hartland FTC teams are known for strong performance in both robotics and collaboration. Students lead with enthusiasm, support each other, and demonstrate Gracious Professionalism on and off the field. It’s this all-around excellence that makes FTC a deeply rewarding experience.

Think celebrates the team’s journey through the engineering process. Students document their progress in a detailed Engineering Portfolio, showcasing everything from design sketches and code snippets to testing results and lessons learned. It’s a real-world introduction to the kind of disciplined thinking and record-keeping used in professional engineering teams.

Innovate highlights our teams’ ability to create original solutions. Whether tackling a tricky game challenge or designing a new mechanism, students explore and prototype creative ideas. Our FTC teams use rapid iteration, brainstorming, and problem decomposition to invent new ways of achieving game objectives.

Connect emphasizes the importance of learning from and contributing to the wider community. Students interact with industry professionals, visit local businesses, and engage with STEM leaders to better understand real-world applications of robotics. They also share their experiences with younger students and participate in events that grow STEM in our region.

Motivate is about team identity and spirit. Hartland FTC teams bring high energy, creative branding, and strong outreach to every event. Students build inclusive, welcoming teams where every voice matters. They take initiative, stay organized, and foster a sense of pride and purpose that extends beyond competitions.

Controls is where programming and electronics come together. Students write code in Java, integrate sensors and feedback loops, and develop both autonomous and driver-controlled routines. They learn to troubleshoot hardware, tune PID controllers, and implement logic that gives their robot an edge on the field.

Design focuses on turning ideas into functional, reliable mechanisms. Students use Autodesk Fusion 360 to create CAD models of their robots, guiding the fabrication and assembly process. They learn about material selection, weight optimization, and modular design, applying these principles through hands-on building and iteration.