Youth Robotics Programs in DC, MD, VA - FIRST Rob

“FIRST has helped me grow in ways I have never thought possible. I attribute a majority of my accomplishments in life to the experiences gained while participating in the program.”

                          ~ FIRST Chesapeake 2022 Alumni Ambassador~

Thank you for being a part of the FIRST community!

We are mid-season and are happy to report our STEM education leadership programs are thriving.

Since our last report, the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) season began on January 8th with Kickoff and Kit Pick Up Sponsored by InSource Solutions.  One hundred twelve teams are working hard to build their robots in anticipation of the district events beginning in March.

An impressive 266 teams competed in the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) qualifier season for 2021-2022, which ended on February 6th. Teams attended a record 16 events (2 of which were remote) across the district.  

Here are some other highlights:

• The Alumni Ambassador Program sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton is back for a 3^rd year. Eighteen Alumni Ambassadors are serving as the 2022 cohort of this program which is designed to inspire FIRST alumni to remain engaged as volunteers, mentors, and advocates and to train for more complex volunteer roles. Each Ambassador who completes the requirements of the program will be eligible for a $1,000 team grant to a FIRST team of their choice. Team grants are also sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton.

• In November 2021 FIRST Chesapeake received over 40 applications for the fourth annual Reaching for the Stars: Women in STEM Scholarships sponsored by Dominion Energy. Four  outstanding young women associated with FIRST teams were selected to receive scholarships which will be presented on May 3, 2022 at the fourth annual Women in STEM Breakfast sponsored by Leidos and hosted at the Leidos headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

• To mark the occasion of our first large scale championship in three years, FIRST Chesapeake will offer double the excitement by hosting the FIRST Tech Challenge Championship in tandem with the FRC District Championship April 8- 9, 2022 at the Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA), both sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding.

• Upcoming Scheduled Events

• Mar 3- FIRST Chesapeake Chats Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding
• Mar 5- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #1 Day 1 Event
• Mar 5- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater Richmond #1 Day 1 Event Sponsored by Dominion Energy
• Mar 6- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #1 Day 2 Event
• Mar 6- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater Richmond #1 Day 2 Event Sponsored by Dominion Energy
• Mar 12- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #2 Day 1 Event
• Mar 13- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #2 Day 2 Event
• Mar 19- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater Richmond #2 Day 1 Event Sponsored by Dominion Energy
• Mar 20- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater Richmond #2 Day 2 Event Sponsored by Dominion Energy
• Mar 26- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #3 Day 1 Event
• Mar 27- FRC FIRST Chesapeake Greater DC #3 Day 2 Event
• Apr 7-9- FIRST Chesapeake District Championship Event Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding
• Apr 8-9- FIRST Chesapeake FTC Championship Event Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding
• May 3- Reaching for the Stars: Women in STEM Breakfast Sponsored by Leidos

We are always glad to welcome new volunteers—whether your skills are technical or not, all are needed, and we would love for you to join us in 2022. A robotics event requires many volunteers- for more details visit  https://www.firstchesapeake.org/volunteer.

As always, we appreciate the support of individuals, foundations, and corporations who help us continue to do what we do best—building tomorrow’s technology leaders, today.

Links:

• Volunteer Now
• FIRST Chesapeake YouTube page
• Reaching for the Stars Live Feed Broadcast