Hi , 

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

In this week's blast: 

💻 FIRST^® Certified Professional Development

🏆 FIRST Championship Updates: 2025 & Beyond

🚀 FIRST Tech Challenge SIM Argosy Rookie Team Grant

🤖 2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant 

FIRST^® Certified Professional Development

What are you doing this summer? FIRST Education is hosting a variety of professional development sessions for FIRST Tech Challenge, including in-person regional and academy sessions, as well as remote options. Enhance your knowledge and skills by engaging in one of our upcoming sessions that involve hands-on experience with student components of the FIRST program! 

For more details visit our website or register via Eventbrite. If you have questions, contact us at firsteducation@firstinspires.org. 

Upcoming In-Person & Remote Sessions:

• July 29 - August 1 | Davis Middle School | Compton, California
• August 5 - 6 | Online
• August 17 & 24 | Online
• August 26 - 27 | NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
• And more!

FIRST Championship Updates: 2025 & Beyond

As we look toward the 2024-2025 FIRST season, FIRST Leadership is sharing some important updates pertaining to FIRST Championship, including dates, host cities, team lodging policies, advancement, and qualification.

Read about the updates on the FIRST Community Blog. 

FIRST Tech Challenge SIM Argosy Rookie Team Grant

FTC SIM is a virtual coding tool that allows users to code and run a virtual FIRST Tech Challenge robot autonomously for free! Users can learn everything from basic movement to how to use sensors by completing a series of puzzles using Blocks or Java.

The Argosy foundation is empowering FTC SIM users to take their virtual robotics experience to the next level by providing 140 x $1000 USD grants towards starting a competitive FIRST Tech Challenge Team in North America. The grant will cover the teams registration fee and can be used towards products in the storefront.

Users are challenged to collect the lightning bolts in the 13 puzzles marked with one. Once collected, the user will get a grant code that can be used to apply for this grant.

Information on how to qualify and the application process is available here.

2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant 

The 2024-2025 FIRST  Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant is now live. Awarded new teams will receive a one-time $750 grant which can be used towards FIRST Tech Challenge season registration and products exclusively the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Please keep in mind that only new FIRST Tech Challenge teams in USA, Mexico, Canada, or USA Military APO may receive this grant and must fit the eligibility requirements stated on the grant page. The next grant cycle ends July 16!