Hi ,

Here's some updates and news from FIRST^® Tech Challenge.

In this week's blast:

🤖 Game Set Pre-Orders

🌻 FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff is Coming!

🐝 FIRST^® Certified Professional Development

Game Set Pre-Orders

Don’t forget to place your game set pre-order with AndyMark no later than August 7, 2026, to ensure that your game set will be shipped the week following kickoff!

Please note that grant dollars on team accounts cannot be used through the AndyMark website. Teams who plan to use grant dollars on their FIRST^® account to purchase Game Sets should wait and purchase their Game Set through the FIRST Storefront in September 2026.

FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff is Coming!
Our BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX season will be launching Saturday, September 12! Save the date and join us to see what this season has in store!  

We want to hear what YOUR team is doing to celebrate Kickoff! Tag us with @FTCTeams on Facebook or email us at CustomerService@firstinspires.org and let us know!

FIRST^® Certified Professional Development
This summer, immerse yourself in hands-on learning as you experience FIRST Tech Challenge from a student’s perspective and strengthen how you guide team success. Collaborate with peers while building the skills to support teams through design, coding, iteration, and real-world problem-solving.

Join us for remote, in-person regional (2-day), or academy (5-day) sessions designed to build confidence, enhance your coaching approach, and energize your program.

🤖 Now through October | Online day, evening, and weekend options available

🤖 August 7-8 | Center Grove Innovation Center | Indianapolis, IN

🤖 August 10-14 | James Madison University X-Labs | Harrisonburg, VA

🧭 + More dates and locations available to fit your schedule

Learn more about FIRST Professional Development.

Questions? Contact the FIRST Professional Services team.