NE FIRST

Out to New England FIRST Robotics Competition teams...


NE FIRST Things FIRST

Week of January 11, 2016

 

 
FIRST Stronghold is Here!
 
We're looking forward to seeing what solutions to this year's game you all come up with! The kickoff broadcast, game animation, and field tour videos are all archived on the FIRST Robotics Competition YouTube page.
 
The Game Manual, field drawings, team updates and the Q&A system are now available and can be found on the Game and Season Materials page. Section 7 of the Administrative manual concerning team advancement has been published, as well. Additionally, the 2016 Safety Manual is available here.

 
Q&A System and Team Updates
 
Teams can use the Question & Answer System (Q&A) to post questions pertaining to a specific section within the 2016 Competition Manual. Login information for the Q&A system can be found in TIMS by the Lead Mentor 1 and Lead Mentor 2 for each team. Read the manual thoroughly before posting any questions to the system. Your posted questions will be reviewed by the appropriate moderator and answered in a timely manner, and answers can be viewed by any visitors to the site. The 2016 Q&A System is now open here.
 
Team Update 01 was posted on Tuesday to the 2016 Competition Manual page. Subsequent team updates will be posted on Tuesday and Friday during build season. Team updates will then be posted on Tuesdays until Championship.

 
Drive Base Assembly Videos & Quick Build Event
 
Did your team get the drive base included in the Kit of Parts? AndyMark posts videos on how to assemble its AM14U3 chassis, gearboxes and wheels as an additional resource to teams. The playlist can be found here.
 
Additionally, this 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 [email protected]
 
 
Dean's Homework
 
During the Founder's Reception broadcast, Dean Kamen announced his yearly homework assignment for the FIRST Robotics Competition community. This year's assignment is to support your local FIRST LEGO League Jr. partner by forming, mentoring or otherwise supporting new FIRST LEGO League Jr. Teams and Events. More details about the assignment, including what to do if your region does not have a FIRST LEGO League Jr. partner, can be found here. The contact information for your local FIRST LEGO League Jr. partner can be found on the archived FIRST website.

     
2017 Championship Committee Updates and Team Standards History Patches
 
The committee working and the geographical assignment of Teams to the two 2017 FIRST Championships, and potential Team swap options has mostly completed its work, after weekly meetings for the last ten weeks or so. Depending on how things progress, final results should be posted to the community within the next three or four weeks, so keep an eye out.
 
Check out the blog for more information and to see a sample of the history patches that will appear on each team standard!

     
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.
 
       
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.
 

Upcoming Important Dates
 
Kit of Parts Replacement Parts Request Due
Friday, Jan. 15, noon
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.
 
FIRST Choice Round 2 Team Priority Lists due
Saturday, Jan. 16, noon
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.
 
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.
 
FIRST Choice Opens for Traditional Orders
Friday, Jan. 22, noon
 
Payment Due: Additional Regional, In-District & Inter-District Event(s)
Friday, Jan. 29, 5 p.m.
Please visit the 2016 Payment Terms page for instructions and more information.
 
Chairman's Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through STIMS by a student award submitter. Check Section 6 of the Administrative Manual for more information on awards
 
Woodie Flowers Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
 
Entrepreneurship Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb.11, 3 p.m.
 
Dean's List Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through TIMS by a team mentor not related to the nominee.
 
Please check the FIRST Calendar for a complete list of important dates.

 
Upcoming Events
 
FRC 125 Quick Build
Saturday, Jan. 16
7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Northeastern University
Contact [email protected] to RSVP and for more information.
 
Rhode Island FIRST LEGO League Championship
Saturday, Jan. 16
Roger Williams University Field House
1 Old Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809


Contact Us
 
NE FIRST Executive Director
Bruce Linton ([email protected])
 
NE FIRST Advisor
Jessica Boucher ([email protected])
 
NE FIRST Regional Directors
Connecticut - Carol Scully ([email protected])
Maine - Karen Giles ([email protected])
Massachusetts/Rhode Island - Steve Cremer ([email protected])
New Hampshire/Vermont - Scott Heaton ([email protected])
 
NE FIRST Senior Mentors
Connecticut - Stacey Gray ([email protected])
Massachusetts - Dana Henry ([email protected])
 

 

Archives of NE FIRST Things FIRST are available on the archive page and on the NE FIRST site under "News." Submissions can be sent to [email protected].

 

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