Events of interest to ARBC members and ARBC-supported teams

  • Tuesday August 4
    FIRST LEGO League BIOGLOW Challenge Release Day

    The BIOGLOW™ season takes teams on a journey through the fascinating ecosystems of our planet. At the center are the connections between nature, technology, and innovation. Further details about the season challenges will follow with the official challenge release in August. From that point on, teams can begin developing their own creative solutions for the BIOGLOW missions.

    Get a first impression of the season theme on the BIOGLOW website and in the season launch video: http://www.first-lego-league.org/en/2026-27-season/bioglow

    The season follows the familiar structure: registration opens in May, the challenges will be released on August 4, 2026, and shipping of materials starts on August 5, 2026. Regional events will take place during autumn and winter 2026.

    In total, the 2026/27 season will include: 12 Future Edition 8+ events, 46 Explore exhibitions and 52 Challenge regional tournaments. An overview of all events can be found here: http://www.first-lego-league.org/en/2026-27-season/locations.

  • Saturday August 15
    9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    AFR@ ASF Ready To Learn Fair
    Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St, Anacortes, WA 98221, USA

    Anacortes FIRST Robotics will be at the Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Ready To Learn Fair to answer questions about FIRST robotics and robotics team opportunities from attendees of the Fair.

    If you are at the Fair and want to know more about participating in robotics, stop by our table with your questions.  Our scholarship program covers expenses for eligible students, we want everyone who wants to participate to do so.

  • Saturday August 15
    1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
    AFR Coach/Mentor Training
    Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St, Anacortes, WA 98221, USA

    Coach/Mentor training will be at AHS in the robotics lab, different sections will cover what you need to know for FLL Explore (grades 2-4), FLL Challenge (grades 4-8), and FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 8-12).  Our students need YOU and other adult volunteers like you to challenge yourselves.  Take on the role of coaching and/or mentoring a team so that we can offer this opportunity to EVERY student who wants to participate.  We have prepared material, but encourage (nay, demand) participants come equipped with their own questions for us to answer as well.  Register with no obligation for training by clicking this link.

  • Monday August 17
    6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    ARBC General Meeting
    Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, 819 Commercial Ave Ste F, Anacortes, WA 98221, USA

    This is the first meeting since the ARBC fiscal year began on July 1st (no July meeting).  We will be talking about plans for supporting FIRST robotics in the Anacortes school district with lots of activities to be planned and executed relatively quickly just prior to school commencing (posters in schools, Open Streets on August 30th, and hitting the ground running with team formation as soon as school is in session).

    If you are interested in FIRST robotics from 2nd grade to 12 grade, please join us!

  • Sunday August 30
    11:00 am – 4:00 pm
    AFR@ Anacortes Open Streets
    Anacortes, WA, USA

    Open Streets returns for the 13th! year on Sunday August 30th (according to the sponsors).  ARBC plans to be out at this fun and friendly event with robot demos and (of course) free ice cream!  Enjoy car-free open streets in downtown Anacortes, usually from 11 am to 3 pm.  A last hurrah before school starts.

  • Friday September 4
    3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    AFR Rocket Recruiting!
    Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St, Anacortes, WA 98221, USA

    Come to Anacortes FIRST Robotics paper rocket build/launch for the AMS and AHS Robotics Clubs.  Have fun, learn about robotics opportunities, and see how high your rocket can fly!

  • Saturday September 12
    FIRST Tech Challenge BIOBUZZ Challenge Release Day

    In BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX, a new challenge releasing September 12, 2026, FIRST® Tech Challenge teams will use engineering skills and amplify the excitement and energy found within the natural world.

    BIOBUZZ is part of the FIRST® CANOPY™ season.  

    Explore FIRST CANOPY

  • Wednesday June 30
    ARBC End of Fiscal year
  • Thursday July 1
    ARBC Start of Fiscal Year