What is FRC?
Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.
We call FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) the ultimate sport for the mind. High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.
The First Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students and mentors work during a six-week period to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 120 pounds. Robots complete tasks such as scoring balls into goals, flying discs into goals, inner tubes onto racks, hanging on bars, and balancing robots on balance beams. The game changes yearly, keeping the excitement fresh and giving each team a more level playing field. The goal of the program is to inspire students to be science and technology leaders.
Students aren't just tasked with building robots, though. At competitions, teams are adjudicated by a panel of judges who evaluate their commitments to spreading the ethos of FIRST and STEM throughout their communities, countries, and ultimately, the entire world. Successful teams not only need to have outstandingly well-built robots, but also professional brands and outreach narratives that speak to how much they enjoy FIRST robotics and how they want to share that passion with those around them.
The La Cañada Engineering Club operates within this competition as FRC Team 2429, and regularly competes in cities such as Los Angeles, Ventura, and Las Vegas. FRC Team 2429 is the heart of the La Cañada Engineering Club. Started during the 2007 – 2008 competition year, the team offers its members ground-level education in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, a variety of programming languages, electronics, and welding, and is an opportunity to expand and grow through hands-on team-building experiences.
Common Questions
When?
During the offseason, which begins following the culminating banquet of that competition year and ends on the day of the FRC kickoff event, meetings are usually held twice a week in 4 hour long sessions. After the kickoff, meetings are held every day after school and on weekends. Please check the club calendar on HelloClub for more information.
Where?
FRC 2429 operates exclusively out of Room 604, or the workshop, at La Canada High School in La Canada Flintridge California. Competitions include overnight trips in-state and out-of-state.
Cost?
The La Canada Engineering Club is supported by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Blockhead Boosters. This organization receives no funding from the La Canada Unified School District and relies on sponsorships, fundraisers, and membership donations to subsidize season costs. As such, we request that all students enrolled in FRC 2429 make a lab donation. Please check HelloClub for more information and/or contact us for more support.
How do I register?
Visit our registration page for details.
Team Information
Team 2429 is a club-wide effort. It is the face of the Blockheads and the culmination of a season's worth of effort on all fronts of the greater engineering club. It is headed by a team captain, two lead robotics mentors, and some administrative mentors, and is supported by our outstanding network of alumni.
The club's elected cabinet leaders are the forefront of 2429's operations, which all occur on behalf of the La Canada Engineering Club. Our Directors of Outreach, Finances, Operations, and Media all work directly alongside the team.
The La Canada Engineering Club was given Room 604 at La Canada High School. Although the school district has allowed the club to use this space solely for our operations, we receive no additional support from the school district. We rely on our generous donors and sponsors to keep the club afloat financially.
Team 2429 has a strong history of success. For the past three seasons, from 2022-2025, the team has progressed to the World Championships in Houston, Texas. This is exemplary of our strong commitment to FIRST not just within our club, but within our community and city.