FIRST Tech Challenge of SoCal/Los Angeles

TEAM CODING OPPORTUNITY

Free, 12-hour social coding event for teen girls, August 29, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Website: https://sunbeam.hackclub.com/los-angeles
Sign up: https://forms.hackclub.com/sunbeam-signup

Sunbeam is designed to make coding approachable and fun, especially for students who may be new to programming. Participants can create their own games, websites, or interactive projects, attend beginner-friendly workshops, work with mentors, and participate in activities throughout the day. No prior coding experience is required, so students don't need to have a programming background to participate.

BIOBUZZ KICKOFF Sept 12!
Save a space for your team at Kickoff here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqaPaHN9Ib7N-E9a357v4GGJXZDcmDF339e28p0k41aNYb_g/viewform
1) La Canada High School (Main Location) – 4463 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91011
2) Moreno Valley High School (satellite location) – 23300 Cottonwood Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
3) Ojai High School (Satellite location) – Upper Campus, 10820 Reeves Rd, Ojai, CA 93023

Each team receives a free Pollen Ball game piece!

Schedule (La Cañada High School)
8:15 Doors Open/Registration
8:30-9:00 SoCal FTC What to Expect (Theresa and Bob)
9:00-9:15 Pre-video from FIRST, then game video
9:15- Game Reveal
9:30-11:45 - workshops

BIOBUZZ Competition Manual Preview Release is here! Check the link for important updates from FIRST: https://community.firstinspires.org/biobuzz-cm-preview-release?utm_campaign=first-blog-notifications&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_7IdIxelEZLMuDQ9ekjQty8sa_hNHwHD0aqx8zz7PKJ1yoW3ENjpSWmh20vEH6EO2N9gkHrDXTp3XhVb7M0qg7hYbcHg&_hsmi=431117106&utm_content=431117106&utm_source=hs_email

We have opportunities for Grants!

Panasonic Foundation is again awarding $300 grants to 40 SoCal FTC teams. Applications are open Monday, August 3rd, 2026 through Wednesday, September 30th.

FIRST HQ Hardship Grant! If you meet the grant eligibility requirements, you could receive $350 to your storefront.

Look on the website here for application links: https://socalftc.org/grants/ -content

Questions? Go here: [email protected].

NEW LEAGUE in CALABASAS! Mentors, if you want to move your team to League S in Calabasas, please let us know at: [email protected]. A team can move once in a season, before September 30th, if there is space in the League you are requesting.

***MENTOR TRAINING***This summer, FIRST Nevada is hosting Viva Los Mentors (vivalosmentors.org), a conference bringing FIRST Robotics Competition coaches and mentors together from across the country in partnership with UNLV.

No robots. No build pressure. Just coaches and mentors from around the world sharing what they've learned and building connections that last well beyond the season.

Don't Miss Viva Los Mentors: Register Today! See attached flyer and details below.

* July 31 – August 2, 2026 (July 31 is an evening social only)
* Science and Engineering Building, UNLV, Las Vegas
* https://vivalosmentors.org
* Registration: $100 (If anyone is experiencing a hardship and needs help covering the $100 registration fee, please let us know. We're glad to help and don't want cost to stand in the way of anyone who wants to join us)

Space is limited. Secure your spot today at vivalosmentors.org!
See the full list of sessions on our conference website. https://vivalosmentors.org/details/
For questions, feel free to reach out to our Conference Organizer, Louis Rubbo, at [email protected]

**Welcome to 2026-27 FIRST SoCal FTC Season!** To participate in the 2026-27 League Scrimmages and Qualifier Tournament, there are two fees. Register and pay $350.00 to FIRST from your Mentor dashboard. Register and pay SoCal FTC $300 here: https://web.cvent.com/event/a36c1643-98dd-46fd-9794-becf626a5d1e/summary Registration is open now. Fees are due no later than October 17th, 2026.

Welcome Bob Meinhard, new SoCal FTC Co-Program Delivery Partner!

SoCal Community, Please welcome Bob Meinhard as the new co-Program Delivery Partner for SoCal FTC! Bob and I, as co-PDPs, work with the SoCal Committee to plan all the Leagues, implement the Tournaments and the Championship, and make sure our group of 210 teams and 1,500 students have a memorable, well run season.

You all know Bob - he has been volunteering for FIRST for 15 years and over 75+ events for the Southern California area. Bob is already a vital member of our planning committee; having served as our lead Judge Advisor for several years, and its a true pleasure to work alongside him.

I also want to give a massive THANK YOU to Patrick Brophy, our exiting co-PDP Partner and my right-hand-man these past several years. We are incredibly grateful he has agreed to stay on as a Committee Member to continue to support our SoCal programs.

Theresa Klemme
SoCal FTC co-PDP

SoCal FTC Volunteer of the Year 2025-26! AMANDA SULLIVAN!

As we wrap up our Decode Season, lets give a big congratulations to Amanda Sullivan, SoCal’s recipient of the 2025-26 Volunteer of the Year Award!

Amanda has been involved in FIRST for 16 years, starting out as a student member on the Monrovia HS Kings and Queens team in 2009. After 2 years on the high school team, she continued to volunteer with SoCal FTC and has become a critical member of the Planning Committee. From team mentor, to tournament scorekeeper, to judge and Judge Advisor, she always raises her hand to help out. She has been the planning brains behind the Annual FTC Season Kickoff for the past 5 years and we are lucky to have her as a committee member and volunteer!

Congratulations, Amanda!

Watch the YOUTUBE highlights: https://www.youtube.com/live/9FYW9EKPlKM?t=18397s