FIRST Chesapeake

FIRST Chesapeake Official FIRST® partner. FIRST Chesapeake operates under the umbrella of VirginiaFIRST, a registered 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1999.

We’re here to provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people in DC, Maryland, and Virginia the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. FIRST Chesapeake is a non-profit organization that supports the mission and vision of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Our mission is to:
- Inspire youth to become science & technology leaders by engaging them in robotics programs that build STEM skills
- Promote the spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship
- Foster valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and creative thinking
- Help young people acquire the knowledge and skills needed to compete in our technology-driven global economy
- Encourage students to pursue STEM-based academics and future careers. Our programs directly impact over 7,000 middle and high school students. Each year, 60,000+ individuals attend 20+ robotics competitions in the FIRST Chesapeake District. FIRST Chesapeake also works closely with our local FIRST partners to bring a seamless progression of K-12 STEM-based programs to youth in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

09/16/2026

The season is HERE, and now is the perfect time to become a volunteer.

Before a single robot gets built this season, about 2,700 volunteers across our district have already said yes. Referees, judges, field crews, queuers, the people who show up at 6am to tape down a field.

If you have been thinking about it, this is your sign. FTC events run December through February and we place you close to home.

➡️ Sign up: firstchesapeake.org/volunteer

Read the September FRC Link! Get ready for the FIRST Chesapeake Town Hall, Sign up for CRI Community Showcase on Sep 27,...
09/16/2026

Read the September FRC Link! Get ready for the FIRST Chesapeake Town Hall, Sign up for CRI Community Showcase on Sep 27, and get the latest on SystemCore!

Includes grants, team trainings, and Dashboard updates!

FRC Link · BioCore — September 2026 State of the District town hall Oct 1, Dashboard steps, off-season events, grants. FRC LINK · BIOCORE — FIRST® CANOPY SEASON Town hall · Thursday, October 1 State o

FTC Kickoff was this past weekend, and the energy was buzzing! 🐝🤖Teams across the FIRST Chesapeake community came togeth...
09/15/2026

FTC Kickoff was this past weekend, and the energy was buzzing! 🐝🤖

Teams across the FIRST Chesapeake community came together for kickoff events in both Virginia and Maryland. In Blacksburg, New River Robotics Association and Team 4924 hosted the Southwest Virginia kickoff, while the SpiderBytes welcomed teams to the Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland.

What a great way to start a new FTC season! We can’t wait to see what our teams have in store.

A huge thank you to our volunteers at this years Multinational Tech Invitational 2026. We’re incredibly grateful for eve...
09/12/2026

A huge thank you to our volunteers at this years Multinational Tech Invitational 2026. We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up, stepped in wherever needed, and helped create such a memorable experience for our teams. We couldn't do this without you!

Interested in becoming a FIRST Chesapeake volunteer? Join our next volunteer information session on Wednesday, October 7th (virtual).

RSVP: www.firstchesapeake.org/event-details/volunteer-information-session-2

Multinational Tech Invitational 2026 brought together 43 teams from 21 U.S. states, Romania, and the UAE. 🌎Looking back,...
09/11/2026

Multinational Tech Invitational 2026 brought together 43 teams from 21 U.S. states, Romania, and the UAE. 🌎

Looking back, there was so much more to the experience than the competition itself. Teams connected with one another, built relationships across borders, and experienced the camaraderie that has been at the heart of MTI for the past 10 years.

Thank you to every team that made this year’s MTI so memorable! More photos to come.

🤖 .rotation_18442
🤖

WOW.🔥 collaborated with Centreville High School's band program, to bring their Dragonslayer production to life. 🐉 Love...
09/11/2026

WOW.🔥 collaborated with Centreville High School's band program, to bring their Dragonslayer production to life. 🐉 Love this, Team 5243!

🌐 Join us at Howard University on October 1st for an entire day dedicated to exploring technology shaping the future. Li...
09/10/2026

🌐 Join us at Howard University on October 1st for an entire day dedicated to exploring technology shaping the future. Live demonstrations, meaningful connections, and a chance to explore the many career pathways STEM can lead to.

📍 Howard University - Blackburn Center
📅 Thursday, October 1st | 9:00AM–2:00PM
🎟️ No participation fee
🍽️ Meals provided to all participants that register by September 15th

📱TO REGISTER - SCAN THE QR CODE!

*Hosted in partnership with Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture, Howard University Robotics Organization (HURO), the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and FIRST Chesapeake*

First meeting of the school year for ✔️🤖More than 30 students attended to learn more about the team, FIRST Chesapeake, ...
09/09/2026

First meeting of the school year for ✔️🤖

More than 30 students attended to learn more about the team, FIRST Chesapeake, and how getting involved in robotics can open the door to future opportunities in STEM, college, careers, leadership, and so much more.

Thanks for sharing, !

Every season, 2,700+ volunteers power FIRST Chesapeake events across Virginia, Maryland, and DC - refereeing matches, ju...
09/05/2026

Every season, 2,700+ volunteers power FIRST Chesapeake events across Virginia, Maryland, and DC - refereeing matches, judging awards, running fields, inspecting robots, and cheering on 10,000+ students as they build, compete, and discover what they're capable of.

🤖 No robotics experience? No problem. Most of our volunteers had never touched a robot before their first event. If you can keep score, welcome a team, or bring energy to a room, we have a role for you.

JOIN US on October 7, 2026 for a quick virtual session. We'll discuss

💥 The roles available this season (one day or season long)
💥 What a competition day actually feels like
💥 How to sign up and get matched with events near you

Register and save the Google Meet link ➡️ www.firstchesapeake.org/event-details/volunteer-information-session-2

09/04/2026

We may have found the #1 FIRST Chesapeake fan at the Maryland State Fair! 🤖😊 .rotation_18442

Address

240 W Main Street Suite 100/V42
Charlottesville, VA
22902

Telephone

+18045728454

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