Build. Create. Compete. Belong.
Want to build robots, learn new skills and be part of a team?
LIFE Engineering is a community-based FIRST Robotics Competition team where students design, build, program and compete with a full-size robot.
No experience is required—we provide the training. And with fewer than 20 students, everyone has the opportunity to get hands-on with the robot and make a real contribution.
What to Expect
🤖 Fewer Than 20 Students
We’re intentionally small. Students get hands-on experience and opportunities to explore building, programming, electronics, CAD, strategy, media and more.
🛠 Training Provided
No robotics, engineering or programming experience is necessary. We teach you what you need to know.
📅 Tuesdays, 6–9 p.m.
August–December, we typically meet once a week for training and preparation. During build and competition season, January–April, we meet 2–4 times per week as needed. Not every subteam is needed at every meeting.
🏆 Two Competitions
We participate in two regular-season FIRST Robotics Competition events in Maryland or Virginia. Competitions typically run Friday evening through Sunday evening. For the past three years, we’ve traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia for one competition and may return again this season.
💵 $400 Team Dues
Additional costs typically include a $38 team polo, approximately $10 for our banquet, and lodging/food if we attend an overnight competition. A typical Blacksburg trip has cost approximately $110 per student for lodging and food.
Our Year at a Glance
AUG–DEC
Learn & Prepare
Training • Skills • Projects • Team Building
JAN–APR
Build & Compete
Design • Build • Program • Test • Compete
MAY
Give Back & Celebrate
Community Outreach • Demonstrations • Team Banquet
Come Meet the Team
Curious but not ready to commit? Come to an Open House!
Meet our students and mentors, see the robot, check out our workspace and find out what it’s really like to be part of LIFE Engineering.
Upcoming Open Houses
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 6:30pm to 9:00pm
You don’t need to know how to build a robot. We’ll teach you.