FIRST^® Tech Challenge Class Pack Updates

Hi Friend, 

Summer is coming to a close which means students and teachers are headed back to school and the launch of the new FIRST^® Tech Challenge season - CENTERSTAGE^SM presented by RTX is just around the corner. In preparation, we have been pulling together resources just for you as we get ready for the new season.

Thinkscape Content 

As you get ready to head into your FIRST Tech Challenge season, you can find all your Class Pack content and resources in one place.

Introduce and Engage with Kahoot! 

As you get ready for the new season of CENTERSTAGE, get your students excited about the theme with our many STEAM-centered Kahoot! games. We also have a set of quizzes on FIRST Tech Challenge which are great for understanding the different parts of the program. 

FIRST^® Certified Professional Development 

Sign up for one of our upcoming professional development sessions and grow your knowledge and skills by practicing student elements of the FIRST Tech Challenge program. 

Register for a session or view the full schedule for upcoming dates listed through February 2024.

If you have questions, email firsteducation@firstinspires.org.  

Upcoming In-person Professional Development 

• August 28, 29 | Doolittle Institute | Niceville, Florida  
• September 21, 22 | FIRST^® Headquarters | Manchester, New Hampshire  

  Upcoming Remote Professional Development 

• August 7, 8 | 11:00 a.m. — 6:30 p.m. ET 
• August 19, 26 | 11:00 a.m. — 6:30 p.m. ET 
• September 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, October 3 | 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. ET 
• September 16, 23 | 11:00 a.m. — 6:30 p.m. ET 
• October 5, 6 | 11:00 a.m. — 6:30 p.m. ET 

Class Pack Grant Opportunity for Rookie Teams 

U.S.-based unregistered rookie teams who purchased this season's FIRST^® LEGO^® League and FIRST Tech Challenge Class Packs can apply for the 2023-2024 FIRST^® IN SHOW^SM presented by Qualcomm Class Pack Rookie Team Grant. The purchaser must have a paid 2023-2024 Class Pack account in the same program in which they are registering a team. Check out the details and grant guidelines.

Caterpillar Foundation Grant Opportunity 

FIRST, through the generous support from the Caterpillar Foundation, has a limited number of two-year FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack grants available to support the implementation of FIRST Tech Challenge in Title 1 high schools located in these specific cities/towns below 

• Alabama: Albertville 
• Georgia: Athens & Griffin 
• Illinois: Peoria & Pontiac 
• Kansas: Wamego 
• Kentucky: Mayfield & DeCoursey (including Kenton & Campbell Counties) 
• Michigan: Menominee 
• Mississippi: Corinth & Booneville 
• Missouri: Boonville & West Plains 
• North Carolina: Cary (including Clayton & Sanford) 
• North Dakota: West Fargo (including a one-hour radius) 
• South Carolina: Sumter 
• Texas: Denison, Victoria, & Waco 

Grant recipients will receive the first-year grant funding for the 2023-2024 school year. Each FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack is designed to serve 24 students. The deadline to apply is October 27, 2023. Read the full details and share out this grant application with anyone you know who meets the grant requirements! 

If you were forwarded this email, sign up for upcoming FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack blast updates and view previous updates on our website. 

Connect with FIRST

FIRST School Engagement: firstschoolengagement@firstinspires.org  

FIRST Education: firsteducation@firstinspires.org 

FIRST Customer Support: customerservice@firstinspires.org