FIRST Tech Challenge Teams to Draw Inspiration from the Natural World During BIOBUZZ Presented by RTX

More than 120,000 Middle and High-School Students Worldwide Will Grow Their STEM Skills Through a Biodiversity-Themed Game During the 2026–2027 Season of FIRST^® Tech Challenge

MANCHESTER, N.H., September 12, 2026 – FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, celebrated the launch of its 2026-2027 FIRST^® Tech Challenge season, BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX, with a game reveal on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel on September 12. This year, students around the world will explore how today’s boldest innovators are using their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills to amplify the excitement and energy found within the natural world. 

BIOBUZZ is part of the 2026-2027 season, FIRST^® CANOPY™. Throughout the season, teams will use STEM and collaboration skills to help engineer a thriving planet. Students will collaborate and innovate as they design, build, program, and operate robots to complete unique objectives in this thrilling, biodiversity-inspired head-to-head challenge.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with RTX to bring FIRST Tech Challenge students a new season that celebrates innovation, curiosity, and the power of STEM to solve real-world problems,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “This year’s biodiversity-themed challenge encourages students to look to the natural world for inspiration as they design, build, and iterate creative solutions. Along the way, they develop not only technical skills in engineering and programming, but also the collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving mindset that will prepare them to thrive in any future career.”

Registration for the 2026-2027 FIRST Tech Challenge season is now open.

As the presenting sponsor for the BIOBUZZ season, RTX directly supports FIRST events, programs, and thousands of teams globally, through funding and time donated by employees. RTX is doing its part to bring innovation, collaboration, and STEM education to students all over the world. 

FIRST Tech Challenge is a widely accessible robotics program designed for students in grades 7 through 12 in which teams design, build, code, and operate sophisticated robots to play a themed game in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team. 

In addition to gameplay, designing and building robots, FIRST Tech Challenge participants raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn awards during the competition season. 

About FIRST^® 

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.