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FTC


Getting Competition Ready in the FIRST Dashboard
2026-2027 Season — FIRST Wisconsin Team Guide FIRST has rolled out a refreshed FIRST Dashboard and a new FIRST Storefront for the 2026-2027 season, and the process for getting your team competition ready is different than it was last year. Plan to spend more time than usual on registration and training this season — the steps below walk you through exactly what needs to happen and where. 1. What's Changed This Season New FIRST Dashboard and FIRST Storefront Starting this seas
peggymaricle
1 hour ago4 min read


Job Opportunity: Argosy Foundation Seeking Program Assistant with FIRST Experience
The Argosy Foundation is hiring a full-time Program Assistant to manage its FIRST Robotics grant portfolio. They are specifically looking for candidates with direct FIRST experience as a participant, mentor, or volunteer. Key Details: Role: Program Assistant (FIRST Robotics Portfolio) Compensation: $50,000 starting salary + full benefits Location: Remote, with the ability to work from the Milwaukee, WI office as requested Travel: 2–3 overnight trips per year (mostly Febr
peggymaricle
5 hours ago1 min read


2027 FTC State Championship Advancement Spots
Showdown in Sheboygan (Sheboygan, WI) 5 Advancement spots Thumb Wars (New Berlin, WI) 4 Advancement spots Jag-Wire Qualifier (Green Bay, WI) 4 Advancement spots Whitewater RoboRage (Whitewater, WI) 3 Advancement spots Lakeshore Ignites (Reedsville, WI) 3 Advancement spots Madison Fish Fry (Sun Prairie, WI) 3 Advancement spots Battle of Brookfield (Brookfield, WI) 2 Advancement spots Skirmish of Brookfield (Brookfield, WI) 2 Advancement spots

Jerry Krist
23 hours ago1 min read


The Buzz is Real: Kickoff Slides and Survey! 🐝
What an un-bee-lievable start to the season! This past weekend, energy was buzzing across the entire state as teams gathered for multiple local kickoff events. Swarms of students, mentors, and volunteers came together to witness the official reveal of this year's game: BIOBUZZ. A massive shout-out to all our incredible event hosts and volunteers who helped our community cross-pollinate and kick things off with a bang! Kickoff Slide Deck Missed the live presentation, need thos
peggymaricle
1 day ago1 min read


FTC Round 1 Event Preferencing is Now Open!
Round 1 of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Event Preferencing is officially live on the FIRST Wisconsin Website FTC Page! 📅 Important Dates Round 1 (Events before January): Sep 12, 12:00 PM – Sep 22, 11:59 PM Round 2 (Events January & after): Sep 30, 12:00 PM – Oct 7, 11:59 PM Wait List Sign Up Opens: Oct 14, 12:00 PM
peggymaricle
3 days ago1 min read


FTC KICKOFF DAY!
Today was FTC Kickoff around the world and in Wisconsin, our teams are BUZZING over this years game. BIOBUZZ presented by RTX Game Animation - YouTube Students from across the state gathered to watch the game reveal, view the field, attend workshops, discuss strategy with other teams, and begin building robots for this year’s new game. A Group of teams are gathered at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin, in partnership with FUN Robotics Network for “ROBOT in 30 Hours

Jerry Krist
5 days ago1 min read


Nominations are officially open for the FIRST Tech Challenge Compass Award!
This is your team's chance to honor an adult coach or mentor who defines Gracious Professionalism and guides you to success. Award Overview Students nominate their outstanding mentor through a 40-to-60-second video. This award will be presented at the Wisconsin State Championship in February. The deadline to submit your nomination is February 7, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. The award description and requirements can be found here: FIRST Game Manual (See Section 6.5.2). Submit your nomi
peggymaricle
5 days ago1 min read


IT'S GRANT SEASON!
FIRST Wisconsin is dedicated to ensuring students statewide can access its programs. Local and national grants are available to support new and returning FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams. Grant information is available on the FIRST Wisconsin website under each program. These grants help cover startup costs, sustain teams, and expand access for students from underrepresented or underserved communities.

Jerry Krist
Sep 41 min read


FIRST Coaches: Support Research on the Impact of Youth Robotics Programs
You are invited to participate in this research study as part of a dissertation project. The purpose of this study is to gather information and perspectives related to youth robotics programs. Your participation is voluntary, and you may choose to stop participating at any time without penalty or consequence. You can find out the full information about this study here. You are the ideal audience for this survey because of your direct experience, involvement, and firsthand kno
peggymaricle
Sep 31 min read


DPI Robotics League Participation Grant Application Now Open!
Eligible public schools, 2R and 2X charter schools, private schools, and home-based educational programs may apply for up to $6,000 to support participation in robotics competitions. To qualify, teams must consist only of students in grades 6-12. Eligible expenses are limited to required fees, required kits, and required supplies to participate in a robotics competition; travel expenses to robotics competition for eligible team members and their mentor only; and a stipend fo
peggymaricle
Aug 311 min read


FTC Competition Safety Glasses
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 FIRST Tech Challenge season, we want to clarify the FIRST Wisconsin FTC safety glasses policy. We are adopting the policy FIRST implemented at the Championships this past April. At FTC events this season, you will see a version of a sign stating, “Activities in this area MAY require safety glasses.” Safety glasses must be worn by competitors and volunteers at practice fields, competition fields, and near power tools or active robots. They are n

Jerry Krist
Aug 261 min read


Robotics and Community Programs Lead - Job at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
Hey FIRST Wisconsin Community! The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is hiring a full-time Robotics and Community Programs Lead at their downtown Milwaukee STEM Center. This is a great opportunity for FIRST alumni, experienced coaches/mentors, or key event volunteers looking to turn their passion for robotics into a full-time profession. The Role at a Glance: Lead the Milwaukee Metro FTC League: Manage the local FTC leagues, support regional events, and serve as the main
peggymaricle
Aug 211 min read


BIOBUZZ Kickoff is coming soon! 🐝
Sign up today to secure your spot at one of our Kickoff events, where you'll get the inside scoop on all things BIOBUZZTM, network with teams in your area, and explore the new season and field. Click here to view the full schedule and reserve your place: BIOBUZZ KICKOFF Events Join us and let’s make this BIOBUZZ season the best one yet! 🐝✨
peggymaricle
Aug 201 min read



Jerry Krist
Aug 180 min read


FIRST Tech Challenge Program Town Hall
Thursday September 10, 2026 6:30 pm Tune in for information about the 2026/27 FTC Season

Jerry Krist
Aug 181 min read


Reminder! DonorsChoose Funding Still Available!
Limited funding remains for eligible FIRST-related DonorsChoose projects. Projects will be reviewed and funding allocated as they are received. Educators should submit their classroom project requests before September 30, 2026, or before the money runs out.
peggymaricle
Aug 101 min read


Step Up and Host! Help Us Shape the 2026 BIOBUZZ™ Season Kickoff
The countdown to the 2026–2027 FIRST Tech Challenge season has begun. We are gearing up for launch on September 12th, 2026. This season features the BIOBUZZ™ game presented by RTX. Kickoff events are vital community-building opportunities. Local teams gather to celebrate the live game reveal. They stream the broadcast and break down the challenge. We need more teams to host a kickoff! Current Kickoff Locations We have four hosts confirmed across Wisconsin: Lakeshore Robotics
peggymaricle
Aug 51 min read


HELP WANTED! FTC State Volunteer Coordinator!
The FIRST Wisconsin FTC State Championship will take place February 19th and 20th 2027 at the Oshkosh Arena in Oshkosh Wisconsin. We are now actively recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator for this event. The Volunteer Coordinator plays a key leadership role in ensuring a successful, welcoming, and well-staffed FIRST event by recruiting, assigning, and supporting volunteers before and during the event. Working closely with the Program Delivery Partner, Tournament/Event Director

Jerry Krist
Jul 291 min read


FTC Dashboard is OPEN!
Hello coaches and admins. The FIRST Dashboard is now open for "Intent to Return" and FTC registration. If you have not used the dashboard this year, you will notice some interface changes. Please access the portal and set up your team’s Financial Guarantor, the person or organization responsible for paying your team’s registration fees. You will need to set up a Financial Guarantor if your team plans to pay by purchase order (PO), claim tax exemption, or have a sponsoring org

Jerry Krist
Jul 222 min read


FIRST Wisconsin State Update Call
Informational call about the upcoming FLL, FTC and FRC Seasons

Jerry Krist
Jul 201 min read
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