Our community’s robotics teams were limited (but not eliminated!) by COVID last year. This year we are hopeful that something more like a “normal” set of team opportunities will be available. Whether or not that happens is in part up to the school district, and in part up to you as a parent of a student and a prospective supporter of hands-on K-12 STEM education in the Anacortes area.

ARBC was told by the ASD Superintendent, Justin Irish, that he was very excited for resuming student activities such as robotics teams, and that the District is currently sorting through guidance from the State regarding ASD volunteers and community organizations using school facilities through Facility Use Agreements. He (and ARBC) are very hopeful for positive outcomes from this guidance.

The national FIRST organization and our local support organization (Washington FIRST) worked extremely hard last year to provide remote/virtual competition opportunities for those teams that were able to operate. This year those same opportunities are available if/when needed so that COVID concerns have as little impact as possible to the FIRST robotics programs and teams. We will, however, need very engaged parents and other volunteers to make this season successful. Ask how you can help, and don’t be afraid to step up and volunteer to coach or mentor a team – no prior experience is required.