October FRC Link: Stay Informed and Connected!
- Bonnie Crites
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
Check out this month's highlights and reminders!
Queuing Up - Gear Up With the Latest News
VITAL Dates for Registration and Preference Selection
NEW FRC Resource Hub
Start your Volunteer Outreach
Full Event Preferencing Timeline
Off Season Events
FIRST Learning Management System is LIVE!
Safety Animation Award
Spread the Word - Grants, Fundraising and Outreach
Women in STEM Scholarship
She Leads FIRST Award Nomination
FIRST FRC Team Grant Open
TEAMWCP Sponsorship Application
MSBR Grant Opportunities
FRC Education Day
Watch the Replay - Key Topics from Last Month
Outreach & Fundraising Opportunity: FLL-E Maryland
REBUILT Registration
VITAL DATES
Register your team withFIRST Inspires - Open Now!*
You do NOT need to pay the fee at the time of registration or before preference selection.
Round 1 Preference Selection-CLOSED
Round Two Preference Selection - Oct 16 - Oct 23.
Teams MUST have two lead coaches with completed YPP Screening by this date to preference.
Event Registration Closes & Payment Due - Nov 18
For Deadlines and Fees: Registration and Event Preference Selection
Rebuilt Season Kickoff - Jan 10, 2026.
New FRC Resource Hub
Need to Decode the FIRST Robotics Competition? 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!
Event Volunteers Needed!
FIRST events can only happen with the help of dedicated and engaged volunteers! Start talking with your community now to help fill the many necessarily roles. Direct interested potential volunteers to the link below for more information and how to apply.
FRC Volunteer Sign Up starts on October 31.
FTC Volunteer Sign Up is Open!
Full Event Preferencing Timeline
Off-Season Events
October 18, 2025: Battle O' Baltimore at Dulaney High School.
October 25, 2025: Rumble #10 at Deep Run High School Sign up here!.
Battle O' Baltimore Volunteers Needed! Sign up here!.
New to FRC Coaching?
FIRST Chesapeake now offers Coach Chat Sessions for new coaches or coaches looking for a place to engage with fellow mentors for Q & A.
Save the dates:
Session #2- Dec. 2, 2025, 7-8pm
Topic: Build Season Management and Team Governance and Structure
Session #3- Jan. 20, 2026, 7-8pm
Topic: Preparing for Competition
Session #4- Mar. 31, 2026, 7-8pm
Topic: Building a Sustainable Team
Mark your calendars and join us!
The link for the session is available on our calendar for each date.
FIRST Learning Management System is LIVE!
For Coaches: Become Mentor Ready!
Mentor Ready is a self-paced path of 4 trainings
Welcome to FIRST
Youth Protection Training
Role of a Mentor
Data Privacy for Mentors
Mentor Ready is designed to align onboarding and safety for all mentors. It takes less than 2 hours total to complete. You can complete it in one sitting or module-by-module. Access the training via your FIRST Dashboard → FIRST Training. You’ll earn a digital badge upon completion.
Note: Mentor Ready training is highly recommended for this season. It will be required for all mentors beginning May 2026.
In addition, level up your skills with the FIRST Learning Management System: short, self-paced modules. Modules can also be completed by students.
Topics Include:
Introduction to FIRST Robotics
Introduction to CAD and 3D Printing
Fabrication Tools and Safety
Preparing for Build Season
and more...
Perfect for off-season or early-season training.
For Volunteers: Become Volunteer Ready!
Volunteer Ready is a quick, optional path of 2 trainings
Welcome to FIRST
Youth Protection Training
It is designed to help new and returning event volunteers get oriented and confident.
Access the training in your FIRST Dashboard → FIRST Training after you apply to volunteer.
Volunteer Ready is optional this season, but highly encouraged.
FRC Safety Animation Award-Unearth Safety!
Teams are invited to dig deep to create an animated message that champions safe, sustainable fieldwork.
Make an animation that:
Runs ≤ 40 seconds (incl. opening & credits)
Is animated (any style, incl. stop-motion). Live video only if paired with virtual/AR animation; no live people on camera
Uses music you own/have written permission for or properly licensed Creative Commons (with attribution); no explicit/suggestive lyrics
Lists students’ first name + last initial only
Submission Requirements and Process
Who submits: A student Award Submitter or Lead Coach 1 or 2 must submit via the team’s FIRST Dashboard.
The student submitter must have a signed FIRST Consent & Release and be marked as an award submitter.
File types: .AVI, .MPEG, .MP4, or .WMV.
Submission window (ET): October 13, 2025, 12:00 PM → November 20, 2025, 3:00 PM. (Note: dates shown in Eastern Time.)
Awards (UL Solutions): Restricted grants—Winner: $500; 2 Finalists: $250 each—applied toward 2027 season registration.
For complete details visit the FIRST website.
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 FRC Team Grant Open
OPENS Oct 1, 2025 - This grant is open to all FRC teams who are facing hardship that may prevent them from competing. Applications run from Oct 1 to Oct 24th. Winners will be notified between Nov 10-24. Apply on the FIRST submission manager from this link.
TEAM WCP's 2026 FRC Season Sponsorship Program
WestCoast Products' annual FRC sponsorship program is now taking applications. All FRC teams are welcome to apply using the link below.
They are looking for teams that:
Strive for continuous improvement.
Show a passion for robotics.
Give back to their communities.
Application closes October 31, with winners announced in November. Good luck!
Maryland Space Business Roundtable STEM Education Grants Due October 23
The Maryland Space Business Roundtable is about to open up it's 2026 grant season. MSBR’s goal is to encourage STEM education leadership in Maryland for a thriving aerospace workforce future. MSBR is proud to have made broad STEM investments across the entire Maryland region, helping expand the reach of STEM programs, including a focus on undeserved populations.
NOTE: Grant applications are live and due by October 23.
FRC Education Day
November 15th, 2025
Park School
Join us for the 2025 FRC Education Day in Baltimore this November 15! Hosted by the Maryland Robotics Alliance, this annual event is a cornerstone for FRC teams across the District.
Whether you're a rookie team gearing up for your first season or a veteran team aiming to refine your strategies, Education Day offers a wealth of workshops, technical sessions, and networking opportunities to elevate your robotics game.
Outreach & Fundraising Opportunity with FIRST LEGO League Explore - Maryland
Is your team looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back? FIRST LEGO League Explore introduces children ages 6–10 to the exciting world of STEM and FIRST—and your team can be part of that journey!
Opportunities include starting a team, mentoring existing teams, or hosting an FLL Explore Festival. Supporting FLL Explore is a great way to inspire future innovators and strengthen your team’s outreach and fundraising efforts.
See this slide deck to learn more about the benefits of supporting FLL Explore Festivals and Teams.
Intrigued? Connect with Maryland’s FLL Explore Program Delivery Partner, Amber Driesman at adriesman@firstchesapeake.org.
Visit the FIRST Chesapeake Blog to read:
Congratulate winners of the FIRST Pitch Challenge
VITAL Dates for Registration and Preference Selection
Full Event Preferencing Timeline
FIRST Chesapeake 2026 District Event Schedule
Off Season Events
And more!
Thank you,
FIRST Chesapeake Team