FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 6

Event Preferencing Closes at 9:00am on Thursday!  

Remember that to register, your Lead and Alternate coach need to have signed their consent/acknowledgement forms and be current on their youth protection screening. 

You can find detailed information on preferencing below. 

Remember, if you preferenced for an event other than your home event, there is a good chance you will start out on the wait list when event assignments are posted.  I will be working with FIRST HQ throughout the day on Friday and Monday to move teams off of the wait list.  Your team will receive an email from me no later than Tuesday, October 8 letting your know your options if we are unable to move your team off the waitlist into the event you selected.  Please do not email me before Tuesday afternoon if you end up on a waitlist.  I will not respond to your email because I will be too busy getting everyone moved into their events!  

OnShape with Kevin this Fall

Kevin is doing his onshape workships a little differently this season.  Instead of having live workshops, he has pre-recorded a series to allow people to move at their own pace.

If you have students who would like to learn CAD for FRC, here is a playlist of a series of videos for learning how to use OnShape.

*This is a series of videos. After clicking the link below, you’ll be able to access the list of videos on the YouTube playlist. 

Important Dates

  • Open now!  Boeing Grant open (ask your Boeing Mentor to apply)
  • September 26:  Kit and Kickoff registration opens
  • September 26 – Oct 3:  First FRC preferencing window
  • September 27:  Deadline to fill out PNW FRC registration to be considered for a grant
  • October 4:  Boeing grant closes
  • October 5 – 6:  Bordie Blast Hosted by 2412
  • October 5:  Oregon Girls Gen Hosted by 1425
  • October 6:  FIRST Chance Hosted by1425
  • October 12 – 13:  WA Girls Gen Hosted by 2046
  • October 17:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • October 19:  Storm Surge hosted by 2811 & 9567
  • October 17 – 24:  Second FRC preferencing window
  • October 31:  Additional In District Registration opens
  • November 12:  FRC Registration (Event & Kickoff) closes
  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!)

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 5

Coaches Chat Recording is Posted

If you missed the coaches chat on September 19, you can view the slides and recording on our Workshops and Webinars page. Select the “Coaches Chat” tab to get up to date! 

Event Preferencing Opens Tomorrow

Remember that to register, your LEAD and ALTERNATE coach need to have signed their consent/acknowledgement forms in their FIRST dasboard and be current on their youth protection screening. 

You can find detailed information on preferencing here: 

OnShape with Kevin this Fall

Kevin is doing his onshape workships a little differently this season.  Instead of having live workshops, he has pre-recorded a series to allow people to move at their own pace.

If you have students who would like to learn CAD for FRC, here is a playlist of a series of videos for learning how to use OnShape.

*This is a series of videos. After clicking the link below, you’ll be able to access the list of videos on the YouTube playlist. 

Important Dates

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 4

Reminder of the FRC Coaches Chat this Thursday at 7:00 pm

Our first coaches chat of the season will be happening this Thursday at 7:00 pm.  On this meeting we will be looking at the season as a whole, going over preferencing and more.  Make sure you have at least one adult in attendance.

There are no upcoming events at this time.

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 Washington State Public or Tribal Compact School. If you have questions, email grants@firstwa.org.

Important Dates

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 3

OSPI Informational Meeting 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.

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  

Important Dates

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 2

Boeing Grant is Open

If you have a Boeing mentor, you are eligible to receive the Boeing registration grant.  Please have your Boeing mentor reach out internally to find out how to submit for this grant. 

Bunny Bots in Washington and Oregon this Season!

Now entering its fifteenth year, Bunnybots is a centerpiece of Oregon team’s fall.  It gives members a chance to bond and learn essential skills building a fun, whimsical FRC-class robot before FIRST build season starts.

Rules and registration posted September 1. Register below or email dale@yocum.com with any questions. 

Now, for the first time ever, Bunnybots is expanding to Washington thanks to Panther Robotics 3218 of Bonney Lake!

Rules and registration posted September 1. Register below or email Jason_vander_hoek@sumnersd.org with any questions. 

Important Dates

OSPI Update

Please Note the Date Change:

The Grant Application Opening Date is now officially Wednesday August 28th. Like last year, it will be a single user login.

For context on the Grant Application Opening will be moved back 48 hours (Originally slated to open August 26th)…

Based on your feedback, we were working with our vendor to improve the user experience for this year.

Unfortunately the solution did not work as well in beta as hoped, so we are reverting back to last year’s system for the current year.
The good news is, if you filled out the application last season, you can use the same login information, and the portal will look and function the same as last year.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, we know you are all busy this time of year and are working to make this process simple to respect your time. If you have questions, be sure to attend our informational webinar on September 10th at 7 pm, or send an email to grants@firstwa.org.

There are no upcoming events at this time.