|
January is National Mentoring Month!
Read the presidential proclamation commemorating the month here. Thank you to all of the mentors that put in countless hours to make FIRST possible for students everywhere!
|
|
Kickoff Broadcast & Important Information
We hope everyone is as excited for Kickoff and the FIRST Stronghold game release on Saturday as we are! The broadcast will be viewable on the Comcast web page this Saturday, January 9.
Here's a breakdown of the broadcast schedule:
- 10:15 - Preliminary video material
- 10:30 - Main Broadcast
- 11:10 - Conclusion & Security Code for Game Manual
- 11:15 - Field Tour Videos
Videos will be made available on the YouTube channel shortly after the broadcast. A list of local Kickoff events in New England can be found here. Please reach out to the designated contact person for the event if you have any questions. Additionally, FRC 1155 in Walpole, MA invites those nearby without a place to watch the kickoff to contact them and attend as their guests for the kickoff on Saturday. Interested parties can contact Steve Cremer at scremer@nefirst.org for more information.
Here are a few more pieces of important kickoff-related information:
- FIRST Team Support will be available the day of Kickoff from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at 1-800-871-8326 ext. 0.
- The encrypted Game Manual is now available, so all you'll need to do is enter the security code you will learn at the end of the main portion of the broadcast to get going.
- Information on everything related to the Kit of Parts can be found here.
- Everything related to the game manual and the field can be found here.
- The 2016 Q&A System will open on Wednesday, Jan.13 at noon.
|
|
TIMS Team Profile Update
Be sure to update your team and sponsor information in
by tomorrow, Jan. 8 at noon. Information will be pulled for the competition program books on Saturday, Jan. 9.
|
|
Kit of Parts Inventory & Instructions for Missing or Broken Parts
Don't forget to take inventory of your Kit of Parts after Kickoff! After receiving and checking all items in your Kickoff Kit, should you determine parts are missing or damaged, you must use the FIRST "Replacement Parts Request" system to let us know of any issues.
Your team's Lead Mentor 1 or Lead Mentor 2 can submit the request by logging in to TIMS, clicking on "Team Summary" and clicking on the "Submit your Replacement Parts Request Here" button.
This is a time limited, one-time only opportunity to submit your Replacement Parts Request. FIRST must receive your Replacement Parts Request by noon on Friday, Jan. 15.
|
Banebots Motors, Kit of Parts Sizes and R14
Banebots Motors
After seeing feedback from the community, Banebots was able to work with FIRST and start back up production of the 775 and 550 motors that were declared illegal in a previous blog post. Banebots will have sufficient stock of both motors for the coming season and thus M7-RS775-18 and M5-RS550-12 will be legal for 2016!
Kit of Parts Sizes & Weights
2016 Kickoff Kits will consist of the following items for all teams (sizes and weights are approximate). If you are picking up the Kit of Parts for your team, be sure to plan accordingly:
- One set of items, collectively, 27 in. x 17 in. x 13 in., 48 lbs.
- One set of items, collectively, 2 in. x 2 in. x 48 in., 5 lbs.
- One item, 8 in. x 3 in. x 7 in., 14 lbs.
Teams who did not opt out of the Drive Base Kit will also receive the following item:
- One set of items, collectively, 7 in. x 7 in. x 34 in., 28 lbs.
Additionally, Rookie Teams will receive:
- One set of items, collectively, 27 in. x 17 in. x 13 in., 33 lbs.
- One item, 8 in. x 3 in. x 7 in., 14 lbs.
Teams who opted into receiving an additional Kickoff Kit's worth of game pieces will receive another item to be announced when the game is released.
R14
According to R14 of the 2016 Game Maunal, Software and mechanical/electrical designs created before Kickoff are only permitted if the source files (complete information sufficient to produce the design) are available publicly prior to Kickoff. If you already have a design, and you want to use it this year, post it publicly ASAP.
The original post by Jonathan Bryant can be found in the blog.
|
"Last Chance to Ask an Expert" Event
If you're going to be in or around Manchester today, stop by the Last Chance to Ask an Expert from 1-4 p.m.! The event will take place in FIRST Place on the first floor of FIRST HQ (200 Bedford St., Manchester, NH 03101). So far, our panelists include:
- Dana Henry, FIRST Senior Mentor
- Andy Baker, AndyMark President & Owner
- Jamee Luce, FRC Team Advocate
- Michelle Long, FIRST Alumni and Scholarships Programs Manager
- Lauren Jefferson, FIRST VISTA
Feel free to come at any point during the event to ask questions! If you have any questions beforehand, email Dana at dhenry@firstinspires.org.
|
Founder's Reception Webcast
The Founder's Reception is a night for FIRST to thank and celebrate our amazing mentors, and is hosted by FIRST Founder Dean Kamen in his amazing home. Since many mentors never get to experience this event first hand, we're once again bringing the event to you LIVE!
The stream starts today, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. The FIRST community can tune into the broadcast from the Founder's Reception. Hear from veteran and rookie mentors about their expectations for the upcoming season, from FIRST sponsors about why it's important for them to be involved, and we'll also have special "last night before Kickoff" interviews with FIRST staff and supporters. Keep an eye out for when we announce a present that will be included in the Kit of Parts for all 2016 FRC Teams!
|
Drive Base Quick Build Event
On Saturday, Jan. 16, FRC 125, the Nutrons, will be hosting a quick build session at Northeastern University.
Teams will be brought through all of the steps of putting the robot included in the kit of parts together, wiring the electronics and dropping basic code onto the robot. Teams will leave after a full day of building with a fully functional drive base, equipped with electronics and software capable of making the robot drive. This is a great way for teams to ensure the kit has been well put together, and jump start the rest of the build season to focus on game piece manipulators, and other mechanisms you may want to build.
If you are interested in signing up for the Robot Quick Build or learning more about the event, please email nutrons@gmail.com.
|
Consent & Release Form Reminders
FIRST Consent & Release Form
For all official FIRST events, including local kickoff events, your team needs to either have a roster of students and mentors from STIMS & TIMS respectively or have paper copies of the 2016 Consent & Release forms for all team members that will be present at the event.
Information about registering students in STIMS can be found here. Hard copies of the Consent & Release forms can be found here.
NE FIRST Consent & Release Form
All teams competing at an NE FIRST event must fill out an NE FIRST consent and release form in addition to the FIRST consent and release form. These forms should be completed and signed by parents/authorized adults and brought with the team and turned at the beginning of the team's first district event. The form will cover the team for additional plays in New England during the season and only needs to be filled out once. The form can be found here.
|
AAUW CT TechSavvy Conference at Trinity College
On Saturday, February 27, the American Association of University Women's Connecticut Chapter (AAUW CT) will host its third annual Tech Savvy Conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford, Conn. 06106.
The daylong event is designed to show girls firsthand how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields can lead to exciting careers. As part of AAUW's National Tech Savvy Pilot Program, the conference will welcome more than 200 sixth- to ninth-grade girls and their parents and teachers.
Registration for Tech Savvy will open in January at aauw-ct.aauw.net. Additionally, we are looking for a team that would be willing to demo their robot and talk with the attendees at the event. Contact Lauren Jefferson at ljefferson@firstinspires.org if your team would be interested.
|
Chairman's Award Feedback Forms
The Chairman's Award feedback form is returning this year! You can check out the new-and-improved form here. As noted on the form, feedback must be requested by the team at the start of the Chairman's Award interview by handing in the form with Team Number and Name filled out. More information about the new form and the reasons for the changes can be found in the blog by Frank Merrick .
|
NE FIRST Grant Writer Position Available
NE FIRST is looking to grow the New England team with the addition of a part-time grant writer. The position description can be downloaded here.
|
Sign Up to Be an Event Volunteer!
Our Volunteer Coordinators are hard at work assigning positions for our eleven FIRST Robotics Competition events in New England this year! If you're interested in volunteering at a District Event or District Championship, sign up in the Volunteer Information Management System (VIMS). Information about how to use VIMS can be found here. Interested in volunteering but not sure what it entails? Check out the volunteer position descriptions.
|
Volunteer of the Year Nominations
This year, we are giving you the chance to nominate a FIRST community member for the Volunteer of the Year award! Nominees can be an individual, business, or organization who consistently excels in their efforts in leadership, community impact, community involvement, personal commitment, and involvement with the program over an extended period of time. The nomination form can be found here.
|
Upcoming Important Dates
FIRST Choice Round 2 begins
Saturday, Jan. 9, noon
Additional credits will be issued and unused credits from Round 1 carry over. FIRST Choice login information can be found in TIMS for registered teams. Credit allotments are live at FIRSTChoiceByAndyMark.com. See the blog for more details on the FIRST Choice process.
FIRST Choice Round 2 Team Priority Lists due
Saturday, Jan. 16, noon
FIRST Choice Opens for Traditional Orders
Friday, Jan. 22, noon
Safety Award Animation Due Thursday, Jan. 21, 3 p.m. Awards must be submitted through STIMS by a student award submitter. Official information about the animation can be found on the FIRST Robotics Competition Safety Page. The original blog post can be found here.
Payment Due: Additional Regional, In-District & Inter-District Event(s)
Friday, Jan. 29, 5 p.m.
Chairman's Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through STIMS by a student award submitter. Check the Administrative Manual for more information on this award.
Woodie Flowers Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through STIMS by a student award submitter. Check the Administrative Manual for more information on this award.
Please check the FIRST Calendar for a complete list of important dates.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Last Chance to Ask an Expert
Friday, Jan. 8
1-4 p.m.
FIRST Place
200 Bedford St., Manchester, NH 03101
Founder's Reception
Friday, Jan. 8
Broadcast starts at 7 p.m.
2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff
Saturday, Jan. 9
Broadcast starts at 10 a.m.
FRC 125 Quick Build
Saturday, Jan. 16
7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Northeastern University
Rhode Island FIRST LEGO League Championship
Saturday, Jan. 16
Roger Williams University Field House
1 Old Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809
|
|
