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Stop Build Day
As winter picks up steam, we should expect to get snow, ice and other winter precipitation and storms. If you're in an area that's predicted to receive a storm, please remember that safety comes before robots! However, you should be working under the assumption that you actually will have fewer days than the calendar tells you to get ready. You should also be working under the assumption that Stop Build Day won't be moving, regardless of how heavy the storms are or where they hit. Please plan your build season accordingly.
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Team Updates, Q&A and Blog Reminders
Be sure to take a look at the team updates that are posted to the 2016 Competition Manual page every Tuesday and Friday throughout build season. Important updates are also posted to the FIRST Robotics Competition blog, including this post about the updated dimensions of the Rock Wall. You can subscribe to the RSS feed here.
If you have a question or want a clarification on the rules, the Game Q&A System is the only place to get an official answer to your game questions. Your team's specific Q&A login information can be found on the Team Summary page in TIMS. The Q&A System can be accessed here.
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Team Standard Achievement Streamers
Interested in seeing what the achievement streamers on the team standards will look like? You can see them in Frank's blog post here. - White - Rookie All-Star
- Red - Engineering Inspiration
- Yellow - Chairman's Award
- Blue - Event Winner
- Royal Blue - Original/Sustaining team
- Gold - Hall of Fame
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FIRST Championship Conferences Request for Proposals
FIRST is accepting presentation proposals for the thirteenth annual FIRST Championship Conferences. Presentations can be on topics of interest to Teams, Coaches, Mentors, Students, and prospective leaders of any FIRST program. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for a presentation in St. Louis, please submit your idea by filling out a short application on or before Friday, March 4, 2016. More information about the process, topics, and conference can be found here.
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FedEx Innovation Challenge
The FedEx Innovation Challenge is a social media-based competition consisting of math and science problems, scavenger hunt activities, trivia and more. Teams in the United States who are competing in the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition and the FIRST Tech Challenge can participate for a chance to win.
- Gold Prize: $5,000 and a VIP Experience trip to the FIRST Championship
- Silver Prize: $3,000, a roboRIO controller and a Dell Alienware laptop
- Bronze Prize: $1,000, a roboRIO controller and a Dell Alienware laptop
All entries must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 22 at 3:00 a.m., and FedEx will notify the winners on Friday, Feb. 26. More information about the challenge can be found here.
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Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Deadline Extended
The Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Fund provides funding to undergraduate students pursuing biomedical engineering or pre-medical degrees. In selecting students who have successfully participated in one of the FIRST family of programs for at least one year, The Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Fund wishes to encourage selected students, who have already demonstrated innovation, respect for science and engineering, and compassion, to pursue the study of biomedical engineering and/or pre-medical studies, including by engaging in research projects as an undergraduate that may one day improve the lives of patients.
The Grant Selection Committee will make up-to four initial, renewable grants of $10,000 to selected students. Initial grants are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria for the grant. The application deadline has been extended to Monday, Feb. 1. More information about the opportunity can be found here.
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FIRST National Advocacy Conference Presented by Team RUSH 27
Location: Washington, D.C.
Event Dates: June 19-21, 2016
This is an opportunity for FIRST teams to make a difference in our future! Students and mentors will be trained on the issues and sent out to Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Members of Congress to tell them about FIRST. Participants will have the opportunity to let Congress know how they should be prioritizing the expansion of FIRST and STEM in upcoming legislation.
Teams will have a chance to network and collaborate as they prepare for Advocacy. Students will come out as globally-minded confident experts and Congress will know why they should listen to these students!
More information about the event, including how to register, can be found on the website.
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AAUW CT TechSavvy Conference at Trinity College
On Saturday, February 27, 2016, 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 TechSavvy can be found at aauw-ct.aauw.net.
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Waterbury District Event Volunteers Needed
The Waterbury District Event is looking for volunteers specifically for Crowd Control, Safety Glasses and Team Queuing. Interested volunteers should sign up in VIMS.
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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.
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Upcoming Important Dates
FIRST Choice Opens for Traditional Orders
Friday, Jan. 22, 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.
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.
Entrepreneurship Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through STIMS by a student award submitter. Check the Administrative Manual for more information on this award.
Dean's List Award Submission Due
Thursday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.
Award must be submitted through TIMS by a team mentor not related to the nominee. Check the Administrative Manual for more information on this award.
Please check the FIRST Calendar for a complete list of important dates.
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Upcoming Events
Week Zero
Saturday, Feb. 20
Merrimack High School
38 McElwain St, Merrimack, NH 03054
Teams can sign up for the waitlist here.
Suffield Shakedown
Saturday, Feb. 20
Suffield High School
1060 Sheldon St, West Suffield, CT 06093
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