FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 9

In this weeks Blog-

Register with FIRST Washington! 

Event registration information! Please read! 

 

 

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

  • We currently have 556 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
  • We currently only have 445 teams registered with FIRST Washington- every team that wants to participate has to register with FIRST Washington! 
  • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
  • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams to register with FIRST Washington

What does this all mean?  We need you to register now!

Registration for FLL Challenge with FIRST Washington will be closing at the end of October.

FLL Challenge Event Registration

Overview-

  • Teams are assigned events based on location.
  • Once a team has paid their FIRST Washington fee and they have been assigned an event, if they would like to change events there will be an opt out form to fill out to request another event.
  • Teams will then be placed on a waitlist and moved into that event after all teams have been placed or after a certain date, whichever comes first, if there is still space.
  • If there is not space in the event they chose, they may move back into their original event, space permitting, or be assigned to an event with available space.

Challenge Registration- Details- Make sure you read!

  • Teams will no longer be filling out a registration survey- YAY
  • Teams will still need to be paid to see their placement- invoices just started going out this week to those that filled out the FIRST Washington registration. If you did not fill it out, you will not receive an invoice and will not be placed or able to participate until you do.
  • Teams will be assigned a home venue/event that is within 50 miles
  • The 50 miles is point to point distance, not driving distance
  • This is based on Venue Zipcode and Team Zipcode
  • Teams have the ability to opt out of their home event using the opt out form and go on a waitlist. Teams may only ask to opt out by filling out the form- no email communication will be accepted.
  • Waitlist teams are not guaranteed a spot in the event they choose, or a spot in the event they opted out of.
  • Waitlist teams are placed on a first come first served basis in the event they choose if there is available space, and will be notified after the placement window closes if there is space in the event they chose.
  • If there is not space- they can move back to their home event, space permitting, or move into an event with available space, but there is no guarantee an event with available space will be within 50 miles
  • Teams requesting to change the day of the week only and not the venue they are competing at will be handled differently. I do not have that process ironed out yet 🙂

FLL Explore Event Registration!

 

FLL Explore events are almost all finalized!

I will be sending out the registration next week to the teams that have filled out the FIRST Washington registration form. If you have not filled it out yet, it is required to participate in Washington. There is also a $50 fee. You will receive this invoice after November 1st. Teams are able to attend one event.

FLL Explore Events!

 

December:

  • Bellevue- December 14th or 15th
  • Snohomish- December 7th

    March:

    • Snohomish- March 1st
    • Yakima- March 15th
    • Sammamish- (tentative) March 8th
    • Bonney Lake- March 15th

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 8

    In this weeks Blog-

    Coaches Chat this Thursday! 

    Register with FIRST Washington! 

     

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

    Join us for this Thursday’s Coaches Chat!

    We will be talking about-

    • Judging
    • Event registration

    Additional Coaches Chat dates- November 14th, December 3rd, January 14th

     

    For robot game questions- join us for next months Kevin’s Robot Corner on November 7th! You can also email Kevin at fllheadreferee@firstwa.org

    There are no upcoming events at this time.

    Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

    • We currently have 544 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
    • We currently only have 418 teams registered with FIRST Washington- every team that wants to participate has to register with FIRST Washington! 
    • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
    • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams

    What does this all mean?  We need you to register now!

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 7

    In this weeks Blog-

    Join us Thursday for Kevin’s Corner!

    Next weeks Coaches Chat!

     

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Kevin’s Corner!

    This season our WA State Head Referee Kevin T will be hosting his own coaches meetings just for robot game questions!

    His first meeting is this Thursday October 3rd at 7pm!

    This meeting is only for robot game questions. If you have other questions, please join us for the Coaches Chat next week! 

    FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

    The next coaches chat will be October 10th at 7pm!

    This month we will be talking about event registration and judging!

    We will not be talking about the robot game.

    Additional Coaches Chat dates- November 14th, December 3rd, January 14th

    Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

    • We currently have 519 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
    • We currently only have 393 teams registered with FIRST Washington- every team that wants to participate has to register with FIRST Washington! 
    • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
    • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams

    What does this all mean?  We need you to register now!

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 6

    In this weeks Blog-

    All teams should be registered with-

    • FIRST Inspires

    • FIRST Washington

    If you have not, please do so ASAP!

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Teams that appplied for the OSPI grant-

    If you received an email from FIRST Washington today about your OSPI grant- you need to either:

    • Register with FIRST Inspires
    • Register with FIRST Washington
    • Register with both

    Please read the email you received and complete the required registrations.

    Failure to register your team may result in your application being denied or your payment award being held until you are confirmed as registered.

    Remember, this grant is for FLL Challenge Washington State Public or Tribal Compact Schools. If you have questions, email grants@firstwa.org.

    The list of teams below was updated at 12:00pm on 9/24/24.

    If your team is not listed, they are not registered with FIRST Inspires. If the box next to the team number does not say ‘True’, then you are not registered with FIRST Washington.

    FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

    The next coaches chat will be October 10th!

    Stay tuned for next months topic!

    Additional Coaches Chat dates- November 14th, December 3rd, January 14th

     

    Kevin’s Corner!

    This season our WA State Head Referee Kevin T will be hosting his own coaches meetings just for robot game questions!

    His first meeting is October 3rd at 7pm!

    Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

    • We currently have 472 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
    • We currently only have 235 teams registered with FIRST Washington
    • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
    • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams

    What does this all mean?  We need you to register now!

     

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 5

    In this weeks Blog-

    • OSPI Grant closes this FRIDAY!

    • Coaches Chat recording posted

    • Make sure to register! 

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Check Out the OSPI Informational Meeting Recording

    The OSPI informational meeting recording is posted. If you were unable to attend the OSPI meeting last week, you can find the slide deck and recording on the OSPI page of our website.

    Remember, the grant deadline is this Friday, Sept 20th and is for FLL Challenge Washington State Public or Tribal Compact Schools. If you have questions, email grants@firstwa.org.

    FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

    The first coaches chat of the season is posted on the FIRSTWA website here

    If you were unable to attend, make sure you look at the slides or watch the recording. 

    In this meeting –

    • the season timeline
    • registration and changes
    • Washington specific event rules
    • Participation rule reminders
    • volunteers
    • Fundraising workshop

    Additional Coaches Chat dates- October 10th, November 14th, December 3rd, January 14th

     

    Kevin’s Corner!

    This season our WA State Head Referee Kevin T will be hosting his own coaches meetings just for robot game questions!

    His first meeting is October 3rd at 7pm!

    Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

    • We currently have 397 teams registered with FIRST Inspires 
    • We currently have 114 teams registered with FIRST Washington 
    • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
    • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams 

    What does this all mean?  We need you to register now! 

     

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 4

    Coaches Chat Reminder! OSPI Meeting Reminder! 

    Fundraising Workshop!

    Registration reminder!

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    OSPI Informational Meeting  for FLL Challenge teams is Tonight @ 7:00pm! 

    If you are a Washington State public school or Tribal Compact school, you are eligible for the OSPI grant!

    The process will be very similar to last year. If you are new to this process or have questions, feel free attend our meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 pm.

    Keep in mind, this meeting is for questions on the OSPI grant only, we will not be answering program specific questions at that time. For program specific questions, be sure to attend your program specific Coaches Chat.

    There are no upcoming events at this time.

    FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

    Our first coaches chat of the season will be this Thursday, September 12th at 7pm.

    In this meeting we will be going over-

    • the season timeline
    • registration and changes
    • Washington specific event rules
    • Participation rule reminders
    • volunteer needs

    We will not be talking about the robot game or robot game specific questions in this meeting. 

    This meeting will be recorded. Coaches unable to attend should watch the recording or check the slides for important information.

    Additional Coaches Chat dates- October 10th, November 14th, December 3rd, January 14th

     

    Upcoming Workshop: Setting your Team Up for Financial Success

    Join us on October 10th from 5:00pm to 6:15pm for a webinar from our very own Director of Development, Lila Mowatt, covering the basics of fundraising and how you can set your team up for financial success this season. 

    Please RSVP here

    Questions?  Reach out to Jake Osborn at jakeo@firstwa.org  

    Event Dates

     

    Festivals for FLL Explore will take place in December and March. Specific dates to be announce soon!

    Qualifiers for FLL Challenge will take place the first two weekends in December- 12/7-12/8 and 12/14-12/15. Locations to be announced soon!

    Qualifier Registration process for FLL Challenge may be changing! Tune in to the first coaches chat on September 12th to find out more!

    Venues locations for FLL Challenge*-

    Everett, Snohomish, Bellevue, Issaquah, Federal Way, Spokane, Tacoma, Seattle, Pasco, Olympia, Chimacum, Oak Harbor

    *Subject to change until confirmed

    FIRST Washington Registration

     

    Registration with FIRST Washington is now open for both FLL Explore and FLL Challenge teams!

    • FIRST Washington runs the FIRST LEGO League Explore and Challenge Events in the state of Washington.
    • FIRST Washington charges an additional fee of $50 for Explore and $350 for Challenge to participate in events, and those fees are set and collected by FIRST Washington.

    All teams are required to fill out the FIRST Washington team registration form in order to participate. FIRST WA registration will CLOSE September 27th.

    Not sure if your team has registered? check here! 

    More From FLL