November FTC Link: Decode Season
- Bonnie Crites
- Nov 3
- 7 min read
FIRST Chesapeake's FTC News
Stay informed and connected!
November newsletter at a glance:
Queuing Up
Volunteers Needed-Sign Up Today!
Volunteer Training: JA and Judge
NEW Event and Participation Policy
Print Team Rosters
FTC Resource Hub
New or Refresher Coach Chat Sessions
FTC Q & A Now Active
Updates and Changes FAQ for FIRST AGE!
FTC Team Training: Judging Decoded
Spread the Word
Women In STEM Scholarship
Nominations: She Leads FIRST
Animation Awards Come to FTC
Watch the Replay!
Final FTC 25-26 Season Schedule
Qualifier details located on FIRST Chesapeake website
Volunteers Needed for FTC Qualifiers!
Our qualifier events run on volunteer power! Each team is expected to provide at least one volunteer during the season. Roles include both technical and non-technical (field reset, queuing, judging, robot support, registration, safety, and more). Volunteering helps ensure fair, well-run competitions for every team. Click the links below to sign up at a qualifier near you!
Qualifier Location and Date | Link to Register |
Washington DC Qualifier I-Dec. 6 | |
Washington DC Qualifier II-Dec. 7 | |
Roanoke Qualifier-Dec. 7 | |
Baltimore Qualifier I-Dec. 13 | |
Richmond Qualifier I-Dec. 13 | |
Baltimore Qualifier II-Dec. 14 | |
Richmond Qualifier II-Dec. 14 | |
Moorefield Qualifier I-Jan. 10 | |
Powhatan Qualifier I-Jan. 10 | |
Moorefield Qualifier II-Jan. 11 | |
Powhatan Qualifier II-Jan. 11 | |
Alexandria Qualifier I-Jan. 17 | |
Alexandria Qualifier II-Jan. 18 | |
Norfolk Qualifier-Jan. 18 | |
Harrisonburg Qualifier I-Jan. 24 | |
Union Bridge Qualifier I-Jan. 24 | |
Harrisonburg Qualifier II-Jan. 25 | |
Union Bridge Qualifier II-Jan. 25 |
FTC Volunteer Judge Advisor and Judge Trainings
Please Share with Your Judges & Judge Advisors
Help us spread the word to Judge Advisors and anyone interested in volunteering to judge:
Judge Advisor Training (JAs only)
Mon, Nov 17 • 7:00–8:30 PM ET • Zoom
Judge Training (all Judges)
*Judges may attend either date—or both for a refresher.
These sessions cover interview flow, rubrics/consistency, pit & interview logistics, DECODE updates, and more.
Questions or interested in volunteering? volunteer@firstchesapeake.org
Please forward this to the relevant folks on your team and partner organizations.
FIRST Chesapeake Event Attendance and Participation Policy
To keep qualifiers running smoothly, FIRST Chesapeake has a new policy:
No-shows: Have reduced priority for future qualifiers, may lose Championship eligibility, and forfeit fees.
Teams unable to compete for reasons beyond their control are not counted as no-shows if they notify FIRST Chesapeake before the event begins, but registration fees are still forfeited.
Withdrawals: Team-initiated removals must be requested at least 3 weeks in advance via ftc-teams@firstchesapeake.org.
Please read the full policy and details at the link below:
Don't Forget to Print Your Team Rosters
NEW!!! No on-site paper consent forms.
Paper Consent & Release forms will not be available at qualifiers. If a student must use a paper form due to a language barrier or lack of internet/device access, please email ftc-teams@firstchesapeake.org. We will coordinate with FIRST Inspires to provide an approved paper copy. All requests MUST go through FIRST. Without a consent and release form on file, that student WILL NOT be able to participate.
Bring a printed team roster to every qualifier. Your roster must verify:
All students, coaches, and mentors have signed Consent & Release forms with a check mark icon
Lead 1 and 2 coaches are listed with emails
YPP screenings are completed for all adults
Go to your Dashboard to finish all required steps and get Event Ready today!
FTC Resource Hub
Need to Decode the FIRST Technical Challenge? Click the button below! FIRST Chesapeake has compiled resources on every facet of program, from team management and fundraising to building and competitions. Check out the hub for new guides and grants too!
New and Refresher Coach Chat Sessions
For new coaches and as a refresher for returning coaches and mentors!
Join us for a conversation with FIRST Chesapeake to answer your questions on getting your team moving!
Crack the code on and come with questions to dig into FIRST AGE FTC : DECODE
All Chat Sessions will begin at 7pm. Click the buttons below for links to the Zoom room.
FTC Q&A Decoded
The FIRST Tech Challenge Team Q&A is now online. To register your account please follow the Team Q&A Registration Instructions. And be sure to read the Competition Manual, as well as Team Updates, prior to asking a question on the Q&A! Many of those resources are also gathered on the FTC Resource Hub.
2025-26 Season Updates & FAQs
Pit Areas
8 x 8 pit areas will be provided if the venue can support it
Teams are REQUIRED to prove their own tables for the pit area. Venues will NOT provide tables.
Portfolios
Teams will take a printed copy of their portfolio with them to judging.
Portfolios will NOT be collected by Pit Admin at check in.
Volunteers From Teams
FTC qualifier events rely on volunteers to run smoothly.
Each team is expected to provide at least one volunteer during the season.
Volunteers can serve in a variety of roles—technical or non-technical.
Supporting events helps ensure fair, well-run competitions for all teams
Drive Team Buttons
At check-in, coaches MUST provide a paper roster with check marks confirming all team members, coaches, and mentors have signed the Consent and Release form.
***No paper Consent and Release forms will be available on site per new FIRST requirements.
Once the roster is submitted, the teams will given their drive team buttons.
Drive team buttons will be kept by the team
Make sure your team brings your drive team buttons to the next competition!
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses will NOT be provided by FIRST Chesapeake.
Safety glasses are required in the pit and competition areas as specified by the Competition Manual. This applies to spectators as well!
REMEMBER to practice during your team time the way you plan to perform at competitions!
Trophies and Medals
Trophies and medals given at the Awards Ceremony.
We encourage teams to stay for the award ceremony during playoffs as this is a great time for teams to network, be inspired, and support their community!
You must have a team member present to receive your team's award. (Competition manual rule E702).
Advancement to Championship
We will have a 96 team Championship this year with 4-5 advancement slots per qualifier.
This will not change World advancement as FIRST will determine how many spots we have and release that information on December 1, 2025.
Please REMEMBER that advancement is ALWAYS based on what the Competition Manual dictates and number of competing teams.
FTC Team Training: Judging Decoded
Join Senior Judge Advisors Shyanne Chan and Laurence Meyers for a fast, practical session to get your team ready for judging at qualifiers and Championships.
Who: Coaches, mentors, team members
When: Thursday, November 6, 7:00–8:00 PM ET
Where: Zoom (open to all)
You’ll leave with:
A clear picture of the judging interview flow & expectations
Practical tips for your portfolio and preparation
Q&A with experienced Judge Advisors
Updates to judging and advancement since last season
Questions? ftc-teams@firstchesapeake.org
See you there!
Women in STEM Scholarship
Sponsored by Dominion Energy
Please share this opportunity with your students.
Calling all female students in the FIRST Chesapeake district! If you’re a junior or senior on an FTC or FRC team, this scholarship is for you.
Who Can Apply
Current junior or senior FTC/FRC team members in the FIRST Chesapeake district
Anyone who identifies as a young woman and is active in the FIRST community
Key Dates
Application Deadline: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET)
Semifinalist Interviews (Virtual): January 2026 — details TBA
Required Attendance: Women in STEM Event, Saturday, April 11, VSU Multipurpose Center (Petersburg, VA)
Apply Now
Women in STEM Scholarship Application
Please share with eligible students on your team, and help us celebrate and support young women in STEM across the FIRST Chesapeake community! 💙
Nominations Open: She Leads FIRST Award
Help us honor outstanding women in STEM who uplift the FIRST Chesapeake community.
Who We’re Seeking
Women who lead with excellence in STEM
Mentors who inspire FIRST students—especially girls and underrepresented groups
Community builders who give back to the FIRST Chesapeake community
Advocates for STEM education and opportunity
Role models who demonstrate leadership, integrity, and perseverance
FIRST Animation Awards Come to FTC
FIRST has opened up the Digital Animation and Safety Animation awards to both FTC and FRC this season!
The Digital Animation Award - sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute- is offered to help encourage students to cultivate skills in design and creation of animation while telling a story about the impact of technology on society. This years theme is The Artifact That Changed Everything!
The Safety Animation sponsored by UL Solutions invites teams to dig deep to uncover impactful ways to implement safe and sustainable practices. Use bold storytelling and imaginative artistry to create a memorable message that inspires responsible exploration and careful stewardship of our resources.
Both of these awards are optional and are not worth points towards advancement, but can win your team grants and sponsorships!
FIRST Chesapeake FTC Season Schedule
Follow the link below to see a full season schedule. All FIRST Chesapeake qualifiers are now uploaded to FTC-Events. Head there to see who is competing. Once each event begins, this is where you can follow along with the rankings and awards in real time!
Looking for Information Related to Qualifiers this Season?
Maps, details, schedule for the day, lunch order forms if available, concession menus, and more.All of this information can be found at our website using the link below.
Just click on the event you need and the details will be available as we receive them and update the website.
Follow the link below to catch up with last months news, including:
The New FTC Advancement System
Updates to the Dean's List Timeline
The FTC Hardship Grant Process
The DECODE Game Manual
And more!
Stay connected—join our Slack community!
Get real-time updates from FIRST and FIRST Chesapeake, connect with other coaches and teams, and never miss an important announcement.
Join now and be part of the conversation!
Thank you to our generous partners!
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