Hi ,

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

In this week's blast:

📝 FIRST^® Leadership Award - Nominate your Outstanding Student Today!
👟 Walk like Woodie Day October 9.
💻 Access to Vouchers for Donated Product.
🐝 BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX Game Set Orders.
✏️ U.S. Team Funding Available from Boeing.
🌻 Holiday Hours.

FIRST^® Leadership Award — nominate your outstanding student today
Recognize an inspiring student on your team who demonstrates the qualities of a FIRST^® Tech Challenge leader and ambassador. We are accepting FIRST Leadership Award nominations until Tuesday, December 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Nominations can be made by right from your team dashboard. FIRST Leadership Award nominations are open to 10^th or 11^th grade students.

Read the FIRST Leadership Award Nomination Guide for all nomination requirements and complete nomination instructions.

Submit your nomination before December 15. Please email us with any questions at FTC-LeadershipAward@firstinspires.org.

Walk Like Woodie Day is Friday, October 9!
In recognition of Dr. Woodie Flowers, Chairman of the FIRST Board of Directors until his passing in 2019, and the enduring ethos of Gracious Professionalism^®, we invite the entire FIRST community to join us for Walk Like Woodie Day on October 9.

Let’s shine a spotlight on the many ways the FIRST community brings Gracious Professionalism to life by sharing the ways we practice it in our everyday lives, teams, communities, and careers.

Together, we can show how this ethos continues to shape the way we learn, lead, and lift one another up.

Save the date and join the conversation: Share your photos, stories, and examples of Gracious Professionalism on social media using #WalkLikeWoodie.

FIRST Tech Challenge teams have access to vouchers for donated product!
Lead Coach 1 & 2 on teams who have secured registration for the season will see Voucher Codes in their Team Dashboard listed under "Team Events and Awards".

The following are available to teams this season:

📙 Free access to Onshape CAM Studio from PTC.
📙 Verification code to participate in The Open Alliance.
📙 Voucher for discounted product from REV Robotics.
📙 Voucher for discounted 3D printing supplies from GreenGate3D.

Additionally, teams may access free design software from the following Suppliers:

💻 Autodesk.
💻 DS Solidworks.
💻 PTC Onshape.

BIOBUZZ™ Presented by RTX Game Set Orders
Based on the available inventory of some BIOBUZZ game set components, and expected delivery dates, below is the updated order fulfillment time-line as of Friday, October 2:

➡️ Most orders placed through September 14 will be shipped complete by October 2.
➡️ Orders placed on September 14-16 will ship beginning October 6, with red ribs back-ordered.
➡️ Orders placed on September 17 or later will ship beginning October 19*.

*AndyMark is working with their suppliers to expedite shipments of parts so these dates may shift.

AndyMark will be shipping nearly complete sets to allow teams to have the majority of the components to use as we expedite those few items. We apologize for the delays. Please direct questions to CustomerService@AndyMark.com.

U.S. Team Funding Available from Boeing
Team grant funding is now available for U.S.-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams that are mentored by a Boeing employee or retiree, registered for the 2026-2027 season, and have not yet paid their season registration fee.

Eligible teams may apply now through October 16, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. View additional eligibility requirements and apply through the Boeing Team Grant Application portal.

Fall Holiday Hours
FIRST Headquarters will be closing early on Friday, October 9, at 3:00 p.m. ET through Monday, October 12. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. ET.