The FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC) is a mid-level robotics competition for high-school students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit.

The FIRST Vex Challenge grew out of the existing FIRST Robotics Competition and the FIRST Robovation platform. FIRST, RadioShack, and Innovation First collaborated to develop an improved version of the FIRST Robovation kit. The new kit is significantly upgraded and is called the Vex Robotics Design System.

With up to 10 student members per team, and 45 tournaments around the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, FVC is helping thousands of students discover the fun of science and technology through hands-on experience. In April 2005, an FVC demonstration event was held at the FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Fifty-three teams competed representing three countries. The event brought together 265 students, 53 mentors, and more than 60 volunteers. Building on that success, FIRST is currently piloting the FIRST Vex Challenge as a potential FIRST program. RadioShack is funding the FVC pilot season.

The ultimate goal of FVC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering.

Information courtesy of the official FIRST website, USFIRST.org/vex