FIRST® Robotics Competition Kickoff Event in Mountlake Terrace Saturday

Chuck, the 2014 Shorewood robot
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Washington FIRST Robotics is proud to launch the 2016 season of the FIRST Robotics Competition with a worldwide kickoff event on Saturday, January, 9, 2016.

The Mountlake Terrace event will take place at Mountlake Terrace High School, 21801 44th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace 98043, from 7:00am to noon.

The event is free and open to the public.

The event will include 40 teams and is one of 114 total kickoff events taking place worldwide.

The 2016 season will include more than 158 teams, (4,500 students) grades 9-12, participating in 9 district events which will culminate into the Pacific Northwest District Championships at Memorial Stadium in Portland, Oregon, April 6 -9, 2016.

At Kickoff, teams will be shown the FIRST STRONGHOLDsm game field and challenge details for the first time, and will receive a Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, control system components, construction materials, and a mix of additional automation components – with limited instructions.

Teams will have six weeks to design and build a robot to meet this year’s engineering challenge and will compete against other FIRST Robotics Competition teams beginning March. Information on the FRC Competitions here.

Since 2011, Washington FIRST Robotics has offered free mentor based after school programs for youth ages 6 – 18 to ignite interest in science, technology, engineering, and math skills (STEM) and to foster well rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership. 

Washington FIRST Robotics strives to alleviate the growing problem of a shortage of skilled professionals in STEM and the need for an innovative workforce by using strategies that promote STEM interest, knowledge, and learning and that inspire students to pursue post-secondary education / training in STEM. Using competitive robotics as a learning platform, our programs provide hands-on experience with an emphasis on fun that students would not otherwise gain in a traditional classroom.

Washington FIRST Robotics in a nonprofit organization that ignites youthful minds through education, hard work, mentorship and healthy competition. Currently there are over 11,000 young people participating throughout the state with over 6,000 coaches, mentors and volunteers. In the four after school programs young people are exposed to and are inspired to build on their passions to prepare them to be the STEM leaders of tomorrow.

• FIRST LEGO League Jr. (ages 6 – 9); 
• FIRST LEGO League (ages 9 -14);
• FIRST Tech Challenge (grade 7 – 12); 
• FIRST Robotics Competition (grade 9-12)

More information on FIRST and to find out how to get involved here.

Updated 01-06-2016