PNW Social & Potluck 

PNW FRC Coaches and Mentors, 

You and the mentors on your team are invited to attend the PNW FRC Mentor Social & Potluck on Saturday, August 15, beginning at 1:00 PM at the FIRSTWA Fieldhouse in Kent (22426 72nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98032). 

During the build season, it’s easy for teams and mentors to become somewhat siloed, and competitions don’t always provide the best opportunity to make meaningful connections. My hope is that this gathering will offer a relaxed environment for mentors and coaches to connect with others who share a passion for FIRST Robotics. 

If you plan to attend, please sign up using this Google form. 

For the potluck, please consider bringing an item based on the first letter of your last name: 

• Appetizer or Snack: A–N
• Dessert: O–Z

Don’t hesitate to attend even if you’re unable to bring something. 

Please share this invitation with the mentors on your FRC team. Water and soda will be provided, and attendees are welcome to bring their preferred alcoholic beverages as well. A few large ice coolers will be available. Because alcohol will be present, this event is limited to mentors and coaches who are 21 years of age or older. 

There is interest in reviving the mentor roundtables that were last held in 2019. We will take a few minutes during the social to discuss ideas and begin planning for future mentor roundtable events. 

If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to reach out to me. 

Regards, 

Darren Collins 
FRC 2046 
Cell: 206-854-0630 

Alberta KDays FRC Off-season event 

Howdy teams from your northern western neighbours in Canada! 

 With the 2026 season now mostly being all wrapped up, I’d like to delay the wrap up of the season just a bit more to invite ya’ll to come out to our KDays off-season event, in Edmonton, Alberta from July 17th to the 19th! 

A Quick summary of the event 

KDays is a 10 day long festival in Edmonton Alberta. With live music, many amusement rides, and some very interesting snack selections, it’s a fun time for all who attend! 

Our off-season event happens on the grounds for the public to bear witness to our metal masterpieces! With a full field provided by FIRST Canada we’re expecting to show all who come out a good time!  

 Alongside our 2 day FRC event, we will be running an FLL event as well! So it’ll be back to back robotics action! 

 Robot registration – Now open! 

Registration is open now. $750 per team. If you’re a larger organization wanting to bring out multiple robots, additional robots will be $250. Mentorbot, or rookie bot, we’ll be happy to have ya! If we hit 16 registered orgs an event limited shirt will be made to commemorate the occasion! 

 Registration can be found here: 

FIRST Robotics Competition – FIRST Alberta @ KDays 

 Volunteers – Always needed 

Volunteers are always needed so if you know anyone that would be interested, please have them email me with a position they would like to fill! 

 If you have any questions, my inbox is always open (and yes, regional directors dream of answering emails) 

 Hope to see ya’ll there! 

Aaron Williams 

FIRST Robotics Competition Program Director (in-training) 

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 3560 Alum 

Important Dates

Congratulations to all on an amazing season! 

I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate all teams on a phenomenal season!  This was a fun game to watch and also (in my opinion) a hard challenge for teams.   

I love the comradery we have in the PNW and I’m always reminded of just how unique that is when I head to Houston for championships.  We not only produce competitive teams in the PNW; we also produce gracious, kind, helpful teams as well as dedicated amazing volunteers.   

It takes a village to inspire the next generation of STEM Leaders and innovators, and I’m glad you are all part of my village! 

Seattle Pride Parade

MI Robotics is happy to host the Students of FIRST Washington contingent of the Seattle Pride Parade 2026! See below for sign-up information. Detailed marching information to come in June. Please reach out to Alida at alida.m.mendes@gmail.com for any questions. We hope to see you there!

Important Dates

Our District Championship/Championship Briefing was last Tuesday

Any team attending District Championships needs to know the information in the District Championship briefing.  If you missed the briefing, you can find the recording here:  https://firstwa.org/webinars/  

Qualifying and registering for District Championships 

Unless your team has won the Impact award weeks 1-3, teams will be qualifying for District Championships after our week 4 events conclude this weekend.  Here is what you need to know: 

• On Sunday night (March 29) Qualified teams will receive an email from me asking you to fill out both the FIRST registration and FIRST Washington registration forms for District Championships.  FIRST Washington registration must be filled out by 3 pm on Tuesday, March 31st 

• Teams that have mathematically qualified after week 3 events have already received this email from me.  You can register with FIRST Washington now but will need to register with FIRST next week when you receive the email from them. 

• If you have concerns about being able to attend, or feel you can’t attend, please reach out to me right away  acollins@firstwa.org  

• On either Sunday or Monday (March 29/30) you will receive an email from FIRST to register for District Championships, follow their instructions. 

• On Wednesday morning (April 1)  One mentor (the one you designate as the mentor to receive the invoice) will receive an invoice.  If anyone else needs a copy of that invoice, please ask the designated mentor to forward it to them. 

• That invoice needs to be secured by 5:00 pm Thursday, April 2 

• On Wednesday (April 1) you will also receive a link from me to preference for your load in time.  The load in schedule will be posted on the event page here:  https://firstwa.org/frc-dcmp-event/ by 5:00 pm on Thursday. 

Some of you are on spring break next week.  Make sure to check your email if you are!  We will make every effort to get ahold of you but if we can’t reach you and you miss the registration deadline, we will offer your spot to the next team on the list. 

Important Dates