Hi , 

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

In this week's blast: 

💻 Animation Awards Blog

🤖 Team Updates

❤️ 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST^® Recognition Program

⚛️ RTX

❓Team Q&A Opens September 22, 2025!

Animation Awards Blog
Check out information on Animation Awards that are available for FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams! 

Team Updates
Team Updates are posted on Thursday afternoons (US eastern time) throughout the season. Anyone 18 years old or over can sign up to receive a notification when the Team Update is posted by following the link on the Current Game and Season Materials page. 

2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST^® Recognition Program
Here at FIRST, recognition is not only part of our name but core to our ethos, and we are proud to launch nominations for the 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program! 

We want to celebrate the FIRST educators and schools who impact and inspire their learning communities. Through their work, these educators and schools advance the mission of FIRST. Learn more about the Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program and how YOU can nominate an educator or school that has made a positive impact on your community. 

RTX
FIRST students and alumni are using their STEM skills to make a mark this season in DECODE™ presented by RTX, and in industry around the world and into outer space. Learn how DECODE presenting sponsor RTX is designing the next Landsat space instruments for NASA to improve remote sensing, a technology capability also used by archeologists.  

Team Q&A Opens September 22, 2025!
The FIRST Tech Challenge Team Q&A is scheduled to launch on Monday, September 22, 2025! To register your account please follow the Team Q&A Registration Instructions. And be sure to read the Competition Manual, as well as Team Updates, prior to asking a question on the Q&A!