Mentor Support | FIRST Chesapeake| DC, Maryland, Virginia

FIRST Tech Challenge

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FIRST Robotics Competition

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Mentor

Conference

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Let's Get
Geared Up

FIRST Chesapeake STEM programs are driven by dedicated mentors who support students in becoming the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Geared Up is our imitative to support our mentors needs wherever they are. Explore below to see how you can become the best mentor you can be.

I AM READY

What you
will experience

FIRST Foundation Training
Lay the foundation with an in-depth understanding of FIRST principles, core-values, and what makes this program unique.

01

Attend a Competition
Experience the excitement and energy of an FTC competition firsthand while learning the intricate roles of key volunteers.

02

Base Build, Control Systems, Basic Programming, Mechanisms

Master the essentials to create a competitive robot. Dive into designing and building effective robot mechanisms.

03

Sustainability, Outreach, and Fundraising
Learn to sustainably grow and support your robotics program. We find that the first few years are the most challenging and that is where we come to help.

04

Attend virtual professional development session to jump start your first official season as an FTC Coach. Everything from Fundamentals of FIRST to Team Sustainability will be covered.

Professional Development

Join a cohort of 25 other emerging coaches to workshop and troubleshoot plus a growing Geared Up alumni base. Access a broader network of over 500 veteran coaches who are eager to see you succeed.

Networking

An Annual Fee to secure your teams number and name for the season.

Registration

A cherry picked Kit of Parts delivered right to your door. No need to do any research or compete with complicated sites. We will make sure your kit is competition ready from day one.

Kit of Parts &
Control Hub

What's Provided

Scrimmage & Awards

Culminating this enriching journey is a thrilling Spring Season Scrimmage, where teams from the cohort will compete head-to-head. Teams will form alliances with veteran FTC Teams, aiming for victory.

Spring

Season

REGISTER

The cohort is valued at $5,000 for 2 mentors to join and includes all of the resources to field and compete one FIRST Tech Challenge Team for at least 2 years.

Apply for the 2026 Cohort

Thanks to a generous grant from the Google.Org Foundation, Google is investing in mentors and educators in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia so they can participate at no cost in the 2026 cohort.

FIRST Tech Challenge

Are you an educator looking to dive headfirst into the exciting world of robotics and technology, and empower the next generation of innovators?

Join our 2026 cohort, designed to introduce new educators in DC, Maryland, and Virginia to the FIRST Tech Challenge in a guided pre-season experience.

Cohort members will virtually come together to explore a comprehensive curriculum covering essential aspects of the FIRST TECH CHALLENGE. Our structured approach will cover the following critical topics.

FIRST Robotics Competition

Are you ready to guide the next generation of innovators while mastering the art of robotics coaching? This cohort offers an unparalleled opportunity for new mentors to enter the exciting world of FIRST with confidence and support.

Join our 2026 cohort, a comprehensive program tailored for educators and professionals new to FRC, providing hands-on training, real-world experience, and personalized mentorship in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Cohort members will lead rookie FRC teams through a pre-season journey and their first competitive season, gaining the tools and knowledge to build thriving, sustainable teams.