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FTC DECODE Blog: Volume 20

by | Jan 13, 2026 | FTC, Newsletter

Asimov and Capek Super Qualifier events are this weekend! 

Whether your team is competing or not, feel free to either tune in to the stream, here are the links: 

Asimov:  https://ftcwa.live/asimov 
Capek: https://ftcwa.live/capek 

If you would like to come watch in person, the events are being held at: 

Tahoma High School 

23499 SE Tahoma Way.  

Maple Valley. WA. 98038 

 

Good luck this weekend to all those participating!!! 

We need your help! 

We are in dire need of judges for our FLL Semi Finals this weekend in Covington!  For those of you who are not competing (or those who can’t get enough of FIRST and want to volunteer on the day they aren’t competing) please consider signing up to judge either Saturday or Sunday.  We want to give all of our participants a great experience and it takes our entire community to make that happen. 

Thank you all for your support, we could NOT do this without you!!! 

You can either sign up for the event from your dashboard or follow these links to go directly to the event: 

Covington Semi Final Saturday 1-17 

Covington Semi Final Sunday 1-18 

Dean’s List Interview Schedule and Links Released 

FTC Dean’s List interview schedules and meeting links were sent to coaches this week. If you have not already done so, please confirm your student(s) can make their scheduled interview time and forward them their meeting link. For any questions or issues, please reach out to Alida at alidam@firstwa.org. 

Recording of last week’s Coaches Chat is posted online 

You can find the recording and slide deck online here:  https://firstwa.org/webinars/  

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • 1-31:  State Championship 

FLL UNEARTHED Blog: Volume 19

by | Jan 12, 2026 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore, Newsletter

In this weeks Blog

Volunteers needed for Covington Semifinals!

Semifinal Assignment update!

Coaches chat tomorrow at 7pm

Next season update

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Season Info

Urgent! Volunteers needed for Covington Semifinals!

Our two Covington Semifinal events are in need of judges this weekend! If your team is not attending an event, please consider volunteering! No experience neeeded! Sign up through your dashboard on firstinspires.org or email nataliej@firstwa.org 

 

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Semifinal Assignments, Awards and Advancement Numbers

Numbers of advancing teams from all events are posted here

Awards and advancement info from the events is posted here. 

Teams advancing to the Semifinals have their assignments posted. Assignments are final at this time.

Very few teams asked to switch out of the Seattle Semifinals (1/24-1/25) so I was unable to accomodate most requests.

 

FIRST LEGO League Changes for next season and beyond

This morning FIRST and LEGO Education announced the reimagining of the FIRST LEGO League program as well as the retirement of the SPIKE equipment (Prime and Essential). https://education.lego.com/en-gb/spike-update-2026/ 

Read the blog post and watch the video for more info- https://community.firstinspires.org/new-era-first-lego-league-future-edition

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lego-education-announces-hands-on-computer-science–ai-learning-solution-302657732.html 

I do not have any more information than you do at this time, nor have any decisions been made for what the next season looks like in Washington. When I do I will share it here and on the FIRSTWA FLL Facebook page. Thanks for your patience!

 

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • January 13 – Coaches Chat
  • January 17/18 – Semifinals
  • January 24/25 – Semifinals
  • January 24- Eastern WA State
  • February  1st – Western WA State

More From FLL

FRC REBUILT Blog: Volume 19

by | Jan 5, 2026 | FRC, Newsletter

Kickoff is this weekend, make sure you are prepared! 

    • Please get as many students and mentors listed on your dashboard as possible 
    • Print off a copy of your roster (you may not be asked to turn it in but have it so you are prepared) 
    • Make sure you Invoice has been secured (you can check your invoice status here:  https://firstwa.org/frc-registration/. This report is updated manually once daily in the evening) 
      • If your registration is not yet secured, reach out to Adrienne ASAP otherwise you may not be able to pick up your kickoff kit on Saturday! 
    • You can find a link to watch the kickoff remotely here:  https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/game-and-season  
    • Kickoff kit pick up: 
      • You can find info on who can pick up your kickoff kit here:  https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/game-and-season  
      • If either your lead or alternate contact is not picking up your kickoff kit, you must fill out a surrogate form 2 days prior to kickoff. Click the link above for details on how to do that. 

    I personally think kickoff is the most exciting day of the New Year!  Whatever your plans are, have a great kickoff!!! 

     

    CTSO Survey – Washington Teams Only

    WASHINGTON TEAMS ONLY 

     FIRST Washington is seeking the community’s opinion on whether to pursue approval as a Career-Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with the State of Washington and OSPI. If your school and/or team could be affected by this decision, we invite you to spend a few minutes letting us know how you might be impacted. For any questions, please reach out to Alida (alidam@firstwa.org). 

     https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/7a5a1196d00c45819fdfa2f068014eaa 

    Important Dates

    FTC DECODE Blog: Volume 19

    by | Jan 5, 2026 | FTC, Newsletter

    Compass Award Submissions

    Each team may submit a mentor for the Compass Award.  For more information on the Compass Award, please see page 53 of the game manual here:  https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/game/manual  

    To submit a mentor for the Compass award, please fill out this form by 5:00 pm January 24th.  the winner will be announced at the FTC State Championship competition January 31. 

    All teams are eligible to submit a mentor for the Compass Award, you do not need to be qualified for the State Championship to be considered. 

    FTC Coaches Chat this Thursday, 1-8 at 7:00 pm 

    We will have our next coaches chat this Thursday at 7:00 pm.   

    Click here to join the chat on Thursday! 

    CTSO Survey – Washington Teams Only

    WASHINGTON TEAMS ONLY 

     FIRST Washington is seeking the community’s opinion on whether to pursue approval as a Career-Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with the State of Washington and OSPI. If your school and/or team could be affected by this decision, we invite you to spend a few minutes letting us know how you might be impacted. For any questions, please reach out to Alida (alidam@firstwa.org). 

     https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/7a5a1196d00c45819fdfa2f068014eaa 

    Important Dates & Deadlines

    • 1-31:  State Championship 

    FLL UNEARTHED Blog: Volume 18

    by | Dec 22, 2025 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore, Newsletter

    In this weeks Blog

    Semifinal Assignments, Awards and Advancement info!

    Holiday Closure

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Season Info

    FIRST Washington offices will be close at noon 12-23 and be closed through the new year 

    We will not be checking mail, processing payments or responding to email during that time.   

    We will return emails and process payments starting January 5th.   

    Have a wonderful holiday and new year!   

    Semifinal Assignments, Awards and Advancement Numbers

    Numbers of advancing teams from all events are posted here

    Awards and advancement info from the events is posted here. 

    Teams advancing to the Semifinals have their assignments posted. A form is also posted like the Qualifiers for teams to request changes. Like the qualifiers, this is the only way I am accepting requests for changes. 

    With the event sizes not being flexible like the Qualifiers, in order to move a team to a new event a team from the requested event must have asked to switch out.

    This is a longer process, and I am able to accomidate less requests.

    Since it takes longer, the form will close on Friday 1/9. Assignments will be finalized end of day 1/12. 

     

    Important Dates & Deadlines

    • January 13 – Coaches Chat
    • January 17/18 – Semifinals
    • January 24/25 – Semifinals
    • January 24- Eastern WA State
    • February  1st – Western WA State

    More From FLL