August 23, 2026 · Piedmont Makers
Rosters are set and coach training is done. FIRST built this year's games around biodiversity.
More than 1,000 kids across the East Bay are on a Piedmont Makers team this fall. Here’s where they landed:
Every one of those teams needs two adults to run it. Nearly 200 parents and mentors came through August coach training for Explore and Challenge, most of them signing up to lead a program they had never seen before. Teams are already meeting at coaches’ houses.
FIRST built the year around biodiversity, with a different game at each level.
Both LEGO League levels run BIOGLOW, set in the rainforest, on biodiversity and habitat recovery. Challenge teams add an Innovation Project on top of the robot game: pick a problem, research it, pitch a solution to judges.
FTC teams get BIOBUZZ at kickoff on September 12. FRC gets BIOCORE on January 9, 2027, which is when Highlander Robotics 8033 starts build season.
Explore and Challenge teams meet through the fall and finish in December at the Explore Festival and the Community Tournament. FTC league meets start in November. Every date is on the calendar.
We still need mentors and tournament volunteers. Email hello@piedmontmakers.org and we’ll find you something.