First FRC Coaches Chat of the season is this Thursday 

  

We will be having our first FRC coaches chat of the season this Thursday, Sept 24 at 7:00 pm.   

On that chat we will review the process for event preferencing which also opens next Thursday.   

We will also give a high-level overview of what the season looks like this year.   

Please make sure to have one adult attend this meeting.  

Click here to log on 

The first preferencing window opens Thursday, 9-24 at 9:00 am 

  

Make sure you are event ready: 

The FIRST Event Preferencing window opens next Thursday at 9:00 am.  You need to be Event Ready in order to submit your preferences.   Don’t wait, log in now to make sure you are Event Ready! 

To make things easier, I have posted a report that shows who has registered with FIRST Washington and who is event ready.  This report is updated manually once a day, it will not update dynamically.  Click here to see the report. 

 

How do I submit my preferences? 

You can find the FIRST preferencing guide along with an FAQ here:  https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/event-preferencing  

We will be giving a live demonstration on how to preference on Thursday during our coaches chat so if you need more of a reminder, tune in! 

Now:  FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

Now: FIRST Washington Grant is open 

9-24: Coaches Chat 

9-24: First preferencing window opens 

9-25: Online Metals Sponsorship Application Closes 

9-30: AIAA Classroom Grant Application Closes 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-5: FIRST Washington Grant closes 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-15: Second preferencing window opens 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party 

10-29: Unrestricted Regional and additional in district registration opens 

11-5: Inter district registration opens 

 

First FRC Coaches Chat of the season is next week 

  

We will be having our first FRC coaches chat of the season next Thursday, Sept 24 at 7:00 pm.  On that chat we will review the process for event preferencing which also opens next Thursday.  We will also give a high level overview of what the season looks like this year.   

Please make sure to have one adult attend this meeting.  

Click here to log on 

Grant Opportunities for Teams 

  

FIRST Washington Grant 

FIRST Washington Grant is open.  You can find past communications regarding funding and the link to the grant application here:  https://firstwa.org/firstwa-grant/   

 

Remember: 

• You will have to fill out a grant application to be considered for any funding that FIRST Washington manages 

• The grant form will need to be filled out for each team you would like to be considered for funding 

• Grants will no longer be deducted from your FIRST Washington registration, they will be issued separately based on the info you submit in the grant application as well as your school requirements (if you are a school based team) 

Online Metals 

Applications Open: September 1, 2026 

The wait is over! Applications for the 2026–2027 Online Metals Sponsorship Program are officially open! 
 
Eligible high school and college/university and affiliated robotics teams competing in official competitions across the U.S. and Canada are invited to apply for sponsorship support. Tell them about your team, your competition goals, and how Online Metals can help you bring your robot to life. 
 
Don’t miss your chance to be considered for the upcoming season! Submit your application during the open window.  We met with the local team from Online Metals last week and they are excited to expand their support in the PNW! 

Sponsorships | OnlineMetals.com® 

 

AIAA School Grants 

AIAA School Grants are open until Sept 30th- I don’t know much about these but it seems worth checking out! 

Classroom Grants | AIAA 

The AIAA Foundation believes that one of the most significant means to inspire and advance the future of Aerospace is to fund grants to meet the unmet and unfunded educational need of students. Each school year, AIAA awards grants of up to $500 to worthy projects that significantly influence student learning. 

Make sure you are Event Ready 

  

The FIRST Event Preferencing window opens next Thursday at 9:00 am.  You need to be Event Ready in order to submit your preferences.  Currently just over half of our teams are listed as Event Ready.  Don’t wait, log in now to make sure you are Event Ready! 

To make things easier, I have posted a report that shows who has registered with FIRST Washington and who is event ready.  This report is updated manually once a day, it will not update dynamically.  Click here to see the report. 

Now:   FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

Now: FIRST Washington Grant is open 

9-24: Coaches Chat 

9-24: First preferencing window opens 

9-25:  Online Metals Sponsorship Application Closes 

9-30: AIAA Classroom Grant Application Closes 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-5: FIRST Washington Grant closes 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-15: Second preferencing window opens 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party 

10-29: Unrestricted Regional and additional in district registration opens 

11-5: Inter district registration opens 

FIRST Washington Grant will open next week 

  

FIRST Washington Grants will open next Monday, 9-14.  You can find past communications regarding funding and the link to the grant application here:  https://firstwa.org/firstwa-grant/   

 Remember: 

• You will have to fill out a grant application to be considered for any funding that FIRST Washington manages 

• The grant form will need to be filled out for each team you would like to be considered for funding 

• Grants will no longer be deducted from your FIRST Washington registration, they will be issued separately based on the info you submit in the grant application as well as your school requirements (if you are a school based team) 

Off-Season Events 

If you are planning to attend an off season event this fall, please register ASAP! 

 

Off-season events are hosted and run by individual FRC teams, not FIRST Washington. This means each event’s participation requirement(s), fees, and timelines may vary. All events will utilize the REBUILT game.  

  

Storm Surge – Cancelled 

Dates: September 26 – 27 

Location:  Vancouver, WA 

 

 

Oregon Girls Generation and FIRST Chance 

Dates:   

Girls Gen October 3 

FIRST Chance October 4 

Location:  Wilsonville, OR 

 

Registration for Girls Gen and FIRST Chance 

Both events are relaxed, welcoming, and focused on building experience, community, and excitement for the season ahead. Whether you’re mentoring rookies, building leadership, or just eager to get back on the field—don’t miss these chances to grow. 

Please register soon and let us know your team will attend! We need to confirm there are enough teams, and early registration helps volunteers planning both events. Use this link to register.  

 

• Wilsonville HS, 6800 SW Wilsonville Rd 

• Girls Generation: This event gives underrepresented team members the chance to drive the robot and/or lead the pit crew, and gain confidence in competition roles – many for the first time. Contact us if your team would like to participate but you don’t have enough girls or non-binary students for a drive team.  

• Sat, Oct 3 

• Registration fee is $100.  

• FIRST Chance: Your team’s chance to test, train, and learn! A competition for all team members to gain experience in new competition roles, especially students who are new to FRC.  

• Sun, Oct 4 

• Registration fee is $200 (lower fee this year!)  

• Link  to Register for both events.  

 

Both Girls Generation and FIRST Chance will use last season’s REBUILT field, giving teams a great opportunity to build on what they’ve already learned or try out new strategies in a familiar setting. 

Please contact ORTOP if you have questions about registration, including fees, bringing a second robot or attendance at Girls Gen. We want to reduce barriers to participation and will work with your team to help you attend if cost or team member availability are barriers. 

 

 

Bordie Through Time 

Dates:  October 9 – 10 

Location:  Bellevue, WA 

 

We are excited to announce that the 6th annual Bordie Blast – Bordie Through Time is open for Registration! Join us for an action-packed weekend on October 10-11, 2026 (with setup and optional load-in on the 9th). 

  

Event Details: 

• Dates: October 10-11, 2026 

• Location: Sammamish High School, Bellevue, WA 

• Registration Fee: $300 

• Registration: Register Here  

• Volunteer Sign-Up: Volunteer Here 

 

 

 

Washington Girls Generation 

Dates:  October 17 – 18 

Location:  Maple Valley, WA 

 

Bear Metal is excited to announce team registration for the 2026 Washington Girls’ Generation event is now open! The event will take place at Tahoma High School on October 17th and 18th, with optional load-in on the 16th. The cost to register is $300 per team. All information can be found at: https://tahomarobotics.org/2026-wa-girls-generation The link to sign up is: https://forms.gle/9emMHqhDjRZPmLac6. All spectators are welcome and we hope to see you there! 

  

Volunteer call for Girls Gen: 

When our team held its first Washington Girls’ Generation competition in the Fall of 2012, we used the event to help train key volunteers for the transition to the FRC District model. By the time, the PNW switched to the district model in 2014, several key volunteers who cut their teeth at Girls’ Gen were well prepared to fill these roles. A number of these key volunteers are still active in the PNW and the FIRST Championship. 

It was recommended to me that we try this again in hopes of bringing more volunteers into the PNW. For this year’s Girls’ Generation we’re looking for some new volunteers in each of the following areas. 

  

• Master of Ceremonies (Age requirement 18+) 

• Game Announcer (Age requirement 18+) 

• Queuer 

• Audio Visual Technician 

• Referee (Age requirement 18+) 

• Scorekeeper (Age requirement 18+) 

• Robot Inspector (Age requirement 18+) We plan on having an optional mock inspection process at the event 

  

Our goal is to have seasoned veteran volunteers in each of these roles to provide support and guidance. If you think that you might be interested in volunteering for this year’s Girls’ Generation event in Washington, fill out the form linked here. These positions are not limited to women only. Anyone is welcome to help. We cannot guarantee that you will be given a volunteer role, but we’ll do our best to find you a spot. 

  

Also, our team is always in need of additional volunteer support with set up and tear down. I’ll put those options in the form as well if you would like to support. 

 

  

 

 

Block Party 2026 

Dates: October 24&25, 2026 

Location: Mill Creek, WA 

Fee: $400 (additional $200 for a second robot if space permits) 

 

Make The Last Weekend of PNW Off-Season count! 

Close out REBUILT with one final weekend in the PNW at 2910’s 2026 PNW Block Party! 

Enjoy two days of full-on competition on a real field, with qualification matches, alliance selection, and double-elimination playoffs. 

• October 24–25, 2026 

• Henry M. Jackson High School • Mill Creek, WA 

• $400 registration for your first robot; +$200 for a second robot as space allows 

Bring your robot, bring your crew, come party with 2910 — we’ll have donuts! 

 

Team Registration form  

 

Volunteer Registration form 

 

For questions, contact Steve Kaneb at steve.kaneb@gmail.com 

 

Important Dates

Now:   FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

9-14: FIRST Washington Grant opens 

9-24: Coaches Chat 

9-24: First preferencing window opens 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-5: FIRST Washington Grant closes 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-15: Second preferencing window opens 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party 

10-29: Unrestricted Regional and additional in district registration opens 

11-5: Inter district registration opens 

2026/27 FRC Event Schedule is public

 FIRST has posted 2026/27 events.  You can find event information here:  https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search  

 For your convenience, here are the PNW Event dates: 

Week 1 

3-4 to 3-6 Clackamas Academy, Oregon City, OR 

Week 2 

3-12 to 3-14 Kentridge High School, Kent, WA 

3-12 to 3-14 Wilsonville High School, Wilsonville, OR 

 Week 3 

3-18 to 3-20 SunDome, Yakima, WA 

3-19 to 3-21 Sammamish High School, Bellevue, WA 

Week 4 

3-25 to 3-27 Oregon State Fair, Salem, OR 

Week 5 

4-2 to 4-4 Bonney Lake High School, Bonney Lake, WA 

4-2 to 4-4 Glacker Peak High School, Snohomish, WA 

Week 7 

4-14 to 4-17 District Championships, Portland, OR 

 

The first event preferencing window will open Thursday, September 24.  We will have a coaches chat at 7 pm that evening where we will go over the preferencing process for those who need a reminder. 

FIRST Washington Grant will open 9-14 

  As we said in communications over the summer, FIRST Washington Grants will be handled a bit differently this year.  Here are the important changes to note: 

• You will have to fill out a grant application to be considered for any funding that FIRST Washington manages 

• The grant form will need to be filled out for each team you would like to be considered for funding 

• Grants will no longer be deducted from your FIRST Washington registration, they will be issued separately based on the info you submit in the grant application as well as your school requirements (if you are a school based team) 

The grant will open 9-14 and will close 10-5.  As stated above, if you want your team to be considered for any funding that FIRST Washington handles, you will need to fill out this application. 

We will post the application link and information on the application on the FIRST Washington website once the grant is open as well as send that information out in the blog on 9-15. 

 

Important Dates

Now:   FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

9-14: FIRST Washington Grant opens 

9-24: Coaches Chat 

9-24: First preferencing window opens 

9-26 & 27: Storm Surge 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-5: FIRST Washington Grant closes 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-15: Second preferencing window opens 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party 

10-29: Unrestricted Regional and additional in district registration opens 

11-5: Inter district registration opens 

First Coaches Chat of the season is scheduled for 7 pm September 24

 

That is the day that event preferencing opens up for teams.  We will be walking through event preferencing, and take a high level look at the season.  Make sure to have one coach attend.  Click here to attend the meeting. 

Boeing Team Grants opened this week

  

You can find more information on the firstinspires website here:  https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/team-grant-opportunities  Be sure to check it regularly for new team grant opportunities. 

If you have a Boeing mentor, reach out to them to ensure that they apply asap.  Funds will be available until they run out. 

Calling all teams

Does your team have footage of outreach events, community service, or behind-the-scenes moments from this season? Send it our way. Email Rylie Pope, Marketing and Communications Manager at FIRST WA, at ryliep@firstwa.org by 8/28/2026. 

Important Dates

Now: FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

9-24: Coaches Chat 

9-26 & 27: Storm Surge 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party 

Off-Season Events

Looking for a fun way to have new members experience an event, try out a new mechanism, or network with other teams? Register to attend an off-season event this fall!  

 

Off-season events are hosted and run by individual FRC teams, not FIRST Washington. This means each event’s participation requirement(s), fees, and timelines may vary. All events will utilize the REBUILT game.  

  

Storm Surge 

Dates: September 26 – 27 

Location:  Vancouver, WA 

 

Come join Skyview Robotics for StormSurge on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA. Yes, you read that correctly, this year StormSurge will be a two-day tournament! This will be an off-Season Rebuilt event with the official field. If you have any questions, please contact Luke Glassett at lucas.glassett@vansd.org or 360-921-2747. If emailing, please also CC gary.borghello@vansd.org. 

 

Click here to register 

 

Oregon Girls Generation and FIRST Chance 

Dates:   

Girls Gen October 3 

FIRST Chance October 4 

Location:  Wilsonville, OR 

 

Registration for Girls Gen and FIRST Chance 

Both events are relaxed, welcoming, and focused on building experience, community, and excitement for the season ahead. Whether you’re mentoring rookies, building leadership, or just eager to get back on the field—don’t miss these chances to grow. 

Please register soon and let us know your team will attend! We need to confirm there are enough teams, and early registration helps volunteers planning both events. Use this link to register.  

 

• • Wilsonville HS, 6800 SW Wilsonville Rd 

• • Girls Generation: This event gives underrepresented team members the chance to drive the robot and/or lead the pit crew, and gain confidence in competition roles – many for the first time. Contact us if your team would like to participate but you don’t have enough girls or non-binary students for a drive team.  

• • Sat, Oct 3 

• • Registration fee is $100.  

• • FIRST Chance: Your team’s chance to test, train, and learn! A competition for all team members to gain experience in new competition roles, especially students who are new to FRC.  

• • Sun, Oct 4 

• • Registration fee is $200 (lower fee this year!)  

• • Link  to Register for both events.  

 

Both Girls Generation and FIRST Chance will use last season’s REBUILT field, giving teams a great opportunity to build on what they’ve already learned or try out new strategies in a familiar setting. 

Please contact ORTOP if you have questions about registration, including fees, bringing a second robot or attendance at Girls Gen. We want to reduce barriers to participation and will work with your team to help you attend if cost or team member availability are barriers. 

 

 

Bordie Through Time 

Dates:  October 9 – 10 

Location:  Bellevue, WA 

 

We are excited to announce that the 6th annual Bordie Blast – Bordie Through Time is open for Registration! Join us for an action-packed weekend on October 10-11, 2026 (with setup and optional load-in on the 9th). 

  

Event Details: 

• • Dates: October 10-11, 2026 

• • Location: Sammamish High School, Bellevue, WA 

• • Registration Fee: $300 

• • Registration: Register Here  

• • Volunteer Sign-Up: Volunteer Here 

 

 

 

Washington Girls Generation 

Dates:  October 17 – 18 

Location:  Maple Valley, WA

 

Bear Metal is excited to announce team registration for the 2026 Washington Girls’ Generation event is now open! The event will take place at Tahoma High School on October 17th and 18th, with optional load-in on the 16th. The cost to register is $300 per team. All information can be found at: https://tahomarobotics.org/2026-wa-girls-generation The link to sign up is: https://forms.gle/9emMHqhDjRZPmLac6. All spectators are welcome and we hope to see you there! 

Block Party 2026 

Dates: October 24&25, 2026 

Location: Mill Creek, WA 

Fee: $400 (additional $200 for a second robot if space permits) 

Team Registration form  

Volunteer Registration form 

For questions, contact Steve Kaneb at steve.kaneb@gmail.com 

 

Important Dates

Now:   FIRST Washington Registration is Open 

9-26 & 27: Storm Surge 

10-3: OR Girls Gen 

10-4: FIRST Chance 

10-10 & 11: Bordie Blast Through Time 

10-17 & 18: WA Girls Gen 

10-25 & 26: Block Party