Hi ,

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

In this week's blast:

👨‍💻FTC SIM Grants

📝Digital Animation Award sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

💻Upcoming Team Calls

FTC SIM Grants

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.

FIRST^® Strategic Partner, 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.

🔸Requirements: Only eligible for new rookie teams who have paid their registration fee

🔸Find 13/15 lightning bolts in FTC SIM to unlock the grant code. By doing the puzzles, you will learn how to program a FIRST Tech Challenge robot to do everything from going forwards and backwards to using color or distance sensors.

Once you get the grant code, you submit it and once approved, the money will appear in your FIRST dashboard and can be used to purchase team registration, the controls kit, the electronics kit or the mechanical kit.

🔸Click here for more information and to apply.

Digital Animation Award sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Teams can now submit their entries for the Digital Animation Award through January 12, 2027. For more information, visit the FIRST Community Blog.

Upcoming Team Calls

The Volunteer Key Role Webinar Schedule is available in the Resource Library. You can also find the webinar recording playlist on this schedule. Calls this week include: