NE FIRST Things FIRST - Week of June 8, 2015

Out to New England FRC teams...

NE FIRST Things FIRST

Week of June 8, 2015

Off-Season Event Updates

Where is Wolcott NEMO Meeting Reminder

There will be a NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) meeting at the Where is Wolcott Invitational event on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. - noon at Wolcott High School in Wolcott, CT. All adult mentors are welcome, even if your team is not competing. Email Kathie Kentfield at kkentfield@usfirst.org with any questions.

Beantown Blitz Student Judging Panel

One student from each team competing at Beantown Blitz is able to be a part of the judging panel, led by two NE FIRST Judge Advisors! Each attending team may nominate one student as a Judge by emailing BeantownBlitz@gmail.com.

The goal is to introduce students to the judging process by walking them through deciding 4 awards: 2 Technical and 2 Team Attribute. The awards will be roughly based on the FRC awards for Creativity, Engineering Excellence, Team Spirit, and Gracious Professionalism. This will be a great opportunity for students and teams to gain insight in how the judging process works and apply their new knowledge to the 2016 season.

Judges' Schedule:
745 - Report to judges room for quick training
815 - Attend Opening Ceremonies
830 - 1145 - Pit interviews
1145 - 1230 - Deliberations
1230 - 1300 - Lunch
1300 - 1445 - Script Writing
1445 - 1500 - Watch Alliance Selections
1500 - 1800 - Watch Eliminations/Award Ceremony

Summer Heat

FRC Team 58 will be hosting their first off-season event, Summer Heat, on Saturday, July 18 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at South Portland High School in South Portland, ME. The cost of the event is $125/team and there will be an optional camping event following the competition. The number of teams is capped at 30 and spots are filling up fast; if your team is interested in competing, fill out the registration form ASAP.

Mainely SPIRIT

FRC Team 2648 will be hosting their fifth annual Mainely SPIRIT off-season event and craft fair on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Messalonskee High School in Oakland, ME. The cost of the event is $150/team with teams being able to bring a second robot or "twin bot" for free. Teams can register here and sign up to volunteer here. More information about the event, including the schedule, rule changes and nearby hotels can be found on the website. Any questions can be submitted through the off-season contact form.

FIRST Future Innovator Award

The FIRST Future Innovator Award (FFIA) recognizes creativity in effectively solving a real-world, complex problem through the invention of a unique solution beyond the requirements of the FIRST Abbott Fund competition season. The FFIA challenges students to think about and submit inventions pertaining to the three challenges selected from the National Academy of Engineering's 14 Grand Challenges for engineering in the 21^st century:

The FFIA competition is open to all FRC and FTC team members for the current 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. Team members may apply for the award through the FFIA Submission Website. The Submission website closes on Friday, Oct. 30, at noon.

The FFIA winner and two runners-up will be announced at the 2016 FIRST Championship. The three finalists will be invited to attend the event where one $5,000 and two $2,500 cash prizes will be awarded by FIRST.

More information about the award can be found on the website and questions can be submitted to FFIA@usfirst.org.

KOP Survey Reminder

Help improve the Kit of Parts for the future! Please have one technical student and one technical mentor complete the survey here. The survey closes this Sunday, June 14.

The results of this survey will be used to look for new parts, improve current items and increase the value that the Kit of Parts provides to teams. This feedback is also sent to Suppliers to help them make good decisions about their donations. The survey should take around 15-20 minutes and your answers can be anonymous if you choose.

Greater Hartford Mini Maker Faire

The first ever Greater Hartford Mini Maker Faire will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Tunxis Community College in Farmington, CT. This family-friendly celebration of invention and creativity is open to people of all ages who are interested in creating, making, building, innovating, tinkering, hacking, engineering, designing or connecting.

Project proposals can be submitted through the online form. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, Aug. 1, and selected groups will be notified no later than Saturday, Aug. 15. Anyone interested in attending the event can sign up for a free ticket here. More information about the event can be found on the website.