Welcome to Tie Dye Jedi
We are excited to have you joining our founding crew for the 2026–2027 FIRST Tech Challenge season. Here is everything you need to get started.
About the Tie Dye Family
Tie Dye Jedi is new, but the program behind it is not. Our robotics journey began with FIRST LEGO League in 2015 and expanded into FIRST Tech Challenge in 2018. Over seven FTC seasons, Team 14835 qualified for the Arizona State Championship every single year and reached the grand finals in five of them. In 2026 the program reached the highest level of FIRST competition with the launch of FRC Team 10933.
Tie Dye Jedi carries the FTC tradition forward for grades 6–9. You are joining a team that is starting fresh — with a decade of experience, mentors, and infrastructure already behind it.
Jedi students also have something no earlier team had: Tie Dye Samurai students mentoring them directly, and a clear pathway onto that FRC team when they reach high school.
Both teams are programs of STEM+C, a Gilbert-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit developing the next generation of engineers, innovators, and leaders through hands-on projects and mentorship from industry professionals.
Meetings & Our Shop
Our meeting schedule is set with the founding crew and shifts through the season — lighter in the pre-season, heavier during build and competition. Your coach will confirm the current days and hours.
Our shop
5131 S Huachuca Pl
Chandler, AZ 85249
Gate access details are shared with families over Slack once a student is registered.
Parents are always welcome, anytime.
Because the shop is located at a private residence, we ask students and families to respect the property, our neighbors, the equipment, and all designated work and parking areas.
Attending for the first time? Contact your coach beforehand to confirm meeting hours and location.
Season Timeline & Time Commitment
Pre-Season (late summer)
Lighter schedule — skills training, team building, and learning the new game. Roughly 1–2 meetings per week, about 2 hours each.
Build Season (fall)
Designing, building, and programming the robot. Roughly 2–3 meetings per week at 2–3 hours each, plus occasional weekend build days.
Competition Season (winter)
League meets and qualifiers are typically single-day or weekend events, and they are full-day commitments. Advancing adds additional events.
Robotics is a team activity, so consistent attendance matters — when a member is missing, their part of the robot does not happen. We understand students have school, family, and other commitments; we ask only that you communicate conflicts early.
Where Students Can Plug In
No previous experience in robotics, engineering, or programming is required. Explore several areas before specializing — curiosity, reliability, and teamwork matter more than arriving with technical skills.
Mechanical
Design and build the robot's structure, drivetrain, and mechanisms.
Electrical
Wiring, batteries, motors, and sensors — keeping systems reliable.
Programming
Drive code and autonomous routines, in Blocks or Java.
CAD & Design
Model parts and mechanisms before they get built.
Strategy & Scouting
Analyze other teams and plan match strategy.
Business & Marketing
Sponsorships, branding, and the Engineering Portfolio.
Media & Documentation
Photos, video, and the Engineering Notebook.
Outreach
Demonstrations, volunteering, and community events.
Shop Expectations & Safety
Students should arrive ready to participate, in closed-toe shoes and clothing appropriate for a workshop. Safety glasses and other protective equipment are required whenever appropriate, and students must complete safety training before independently using tools or equipment. All activities are supervised by background-checked adult mentors.
Every team member is expected to:
- Treat teammates and mentors with respect
- Follow all safety requirements
- Take care of tools, equipment, and the workspace
- Clean up after working
- Communicate when they need help
- Follow through on assigned responsibilities
- Help create an environment where everyone can learn
Our program is student-led and mentor-guided. Students make decisions, solve problems, and do the work; mentors provide instruction, experience, and supervision.
The full expectations both students and parents agree to are in the STEM+C Student & Family Team Agreement.
Season Fees
Robotics has real costs — registration, parts, and competition fees. Team fees cover part of that; fundraising, grants, and sponsorships carry the rest.
Season fees for our founding season are still being finalized. Your coach will confirm the amount and payment schedule — please ask anytime.
No student is turned away over money. Payment plans and financial assistance are available. If fees are a hardship, or circumstances change mid-season, contact us privately — we never want finances alone to keep a student from participating.
Communication
Once a student is officially added to the team, the student and family receive access to our Slack workspace — our primary channel for schedules, announcements, project discussions, volunteer needs, competition information, and shop access details.
Please make sure we have accurate contact information for the student and at least one parent or guardian. Students and parents are both responsible for monitoring team communications and responding when asked.
How Parents & Community Members Can Help
A founding season leans especially hard on its families. We welcome help with:
- Engineering and technical mentorship
- Event staffing and volunteer support
- Competition travel, meals, and logistics
- Fundraising and grant opportunities
- Photography, video, marketing, and social media
- Industry contacts and sponsor introductions
- Community demonstrations and outreach events
- Shop organization and improvement projects
You do not need an engineering background to contribute meaningfully. If you have a skill, connection, or resource that could help either team, we would love to hear from you.
Next Steps for New Families
- 1 Confirm we have preferred contact information for the student and a parent or guardian.
- 2 Contact your coach before your first meeting to confirm time and location.
- 3 Review the meeting schedule and tell us about any recurring conflicts.
- 4 Complete registration, emergency contact, medical, waiver, and media forms when provided.
- 5 Ask about season fees and payment timing.
- 6 Accept your invitation to the team Slack workspace.
- 7 Let us know which areas interest your student — technical, creative, business, or outreach.
Paperwork
Both Tie Dye teams use the same STEM+C paperwork — a Team Agreement signed by student and parent, and a Consent & Release signed by a parent or guardian.
Review policies & formsWelcome to the Tie Dye family.
You are not just joining a team — you are helping build one.
Questions? Email us