FTC Kickoff Sept. 10 2022

Aaron
PowerPlay season logo

2022-2023 Hawai’i FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff sponsored by Hitachi Hawai’i.

Hitachi logo

WHEN: Saturday, Sept 10, 2022

TIME: 1:00PM TO 4:00PM
WHERE: ‘Iolani School, Seto Hall

RSVP to reserve seats for your team.

Aloha FTC Students, Coaches, Mentors and Volunteers!

Hawai’i FIRST Robotics is thrilled to present the new FIRST Tech Challenge season, “PowerPlay”
After several years of social distancing and remote events, we are finally able to meet in-person for the upcoming FTC Kickoff and season competitions. We can’t wait to see you all again. Please join us September 10 at ‘Iolani School for the launching this exciting new season. We promise many interesting new challenges as you design, build, and code your way to success. 

What to expect at the Kickoff:

  • Door Prizes: 2 lucky teams will win a GoBuilda Strafer Chassis Kit ($499 value)
  • inspect the new competition field set up close
  • learn about new hardware & software options
  • new grant and funding opportunities for your team
  • get help registering your team members and their parents with FIRST
  • meet & greet other teams and coaches
  • get answers to all your questions

*Parking is limited. Drop off students at Kamoku St. drive through.

‘Iolani School Map

Have questions? Email [email protected]

new “power_play” season!

Aaron

FIRST® Tech Challenge Rookie Grant

News for Teams – August 2022

  1. FIRST® Tech Challenge Rookie Grant
  2. FTC SIM Argosy Rookie Team Grant and Tool
  3. Kickoff is Coming!
  4. FIRST® Equity and Access Grant Application Now Open

FIRST® Tech Challenge is offering Rookie Grants to brand new teams! Tell your friends, classmates, or neighbors that are interested in starting a FIRST Tech Challenge team about our Rookie Grants!

FTC SIM Argosy Rookie Team Grant and Tool

FTC SIM is a virtual coding tool that allows users to code and run a virtual FIRSTTech Challenge robot autonomously for free! Users can learn everything from basic movement to how to use sensors by completing a series of puzzles using Blocks or Java. Learn more about this new tool on our blog.

The Argosy foundation is empowering FTC SIM users to take their virtual robotics experience to the next level by providing 140 x $1000 USD grants towards starting a competitive FIRST Tech Challenge Team in North America. The grant will cover the team’s registration fee and can be used towards products in the storefront. Users are challenged to collect the lightning bolts in the 15 puzzles marked with one. Once collected, the user will get a grant code that can be used to apply for this grant. Information on how to qualify and the application process is available at this link.

Kickoff is Coming!

We can’t wait for the POWERPLAYSM presented by Raytheon Technologies season Kickoff! Save the date for Saturday, September 10, 2022. Make sure to reach out to your local program delivery partner to find a kickoff event near you!

FIRST® Equity and Access Grant Application Now Open

FIRST® is excited to announce a funding opportunity available to US-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams participating in the 2022-2023 season! Awarded teams will receive a grant to support their designated project, which should be focused on increasing participation of female and/or underrepresented populations in STEM. Preference will be given to projects that are presenting FIRST programs. For U.S.-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams, the grant funds will be restricted to use on any registration fees for the team (and product). Grants are available for between $1,000 and $5,000 each. Apply Here.

Mahalo alumni for attending!

Madi

On Sunday, August 14, 2022, the Hawaii FIRST Alumni Chapter celebrated it’s first social at the Rainbow Pavilions. Thank you so much to VP Sarah Dulay for reserving the location, renting the popcorn and cotton candy machine, as well as, getting Scoop Scoops Ice Cream and donated gummy candy from Frost Bites HI. The overall event was a success where Alumni were able to meet not only 2022 graduates, but also alumni who now mentor other teams. We hope that everyone who was able to attend had a great time, and we hope to see you at our next social/networking event.

Hawaii FIRST Robotics Expo at Kalani High School

Mahalo alumni volunteers

Madi

Mahalo to all the Alumni volunteers who came out to the FIRST Robotics Expo at Kalani High School on July 23, 2022. The Alumni from various robotics teams on the island, came together to help promote their experience being in FRC and FTC to parents, and educators. We hope to inspire the next generation of keiki to enjoy the fun of S.T.E.A.M. through FIRST Robotics Programs such as FLL Jr., FLL, FTC, and FRC.

Alumni Social

Madi

Come and Join us at the first ever FIRST Alumni Social at the Rainbow Pavilion on Saturday, August 14, 2022 from 11AM – 3PM.

Sign up on the google form today to reserve your spot. We will be having food / drinks / games / and FUN!

SIGN UP HERE!

Assets School Robotics Offers new Chromebooks to FLL & FTC teams!

Aaron

In an unusual act of team generosity, FTC Team Waffles (#14825) from Assets School will be giving away up to 15 new Chromebooks to New FLL or FTC Teams! These slick computing devices will be a huge benefit to teams who are starting out without a modern device to meet learning and programming needs.

Lenovo Chromebook Touchscreen Laptop Computer (sample photo)

Team Waffles received the Chromebooks as a part of a grant they received from GirlsWhoCode (GWC) and Trellix with the goal of increasing female interest in the STEM community.

Chromebooks are sufficient for FLL programming with the Lego App available on ChromeOS, and for FTC programming with the browser-based Blocks programming or OnBot Java programming. They are also user-friendly for students and coaches working on research and documentation.

If your FLL or FTC team is new to FIRST, and participating in 2022-2023 season, then you are eligible to apply for one of the Chromebooks. This is a need-based giveaway, which means priority will be given to teams who really need them. To request a Chromebook, visit Assets Robotics at this link: http://www.assetsrobotics.org

Mahalo to Assets Team Waffles for this incredible contribution to the FIRST Robotics community in Hawai’i.

Hawaii FIRst robotics expo – Save the Date

Luana

Are you looking to start a FIRST robotics program? Want to find out more about FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, FTC, or FRC? Want some financial assistance? Join us for the Hawaii FIRST Robotics Expo for NEW and returning coaches! More information to come.

When: Saturday, July 23, 2022

Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Where: Kalani High School

Priority funding for new team incentive packages will be given to those who attend the Coaches Fair.

The DoDSTEM Grant Application is Open!

Luana

Deadline is 11:59 PM PDT on June 23 2022

Here are the steps to apply.
1) Find a mentor that works for DoD.
2) Your mentor will need to contact their DoDSTEM Grant contact person for their office.
For example, If the DoD mentor works at NAVFAC PAC, they would contact NAVFAC PAC FIRST DoD Grant POC or if they work at PHYS they would contact PHYS FIRST DOD Grant POC, etc.
3) Then, your mentor will get the password from that contact person and make an account on this website. https://first.dodstem.us
-This site is where the application will be submitted.
4) Be sure to remind the mentor to fill out the team information correctly because incomplete and/or incorrect information may result in loss of funds.

If you have questions, please contact Clinton Ng at Pearl Harbor #(808) 472-1351 or email him at [email protected]

Mahalo Packages available for Veteran Teams

Mari

FIRST Lego League Explore

Ages 6-10
Grades 2-4

Benefits

  • Builds STEM skills and develops habits of learning
  • Culture of sharing, learning, and fun
  • Engagement of kids in meaningful, hands-on experimentation
  • Presentation skills development

FIRST Lego League Challenge

Ages 9-14
Grades 4-8

Benefits

  • Promotes understanding of real-world uses of STEM
  • Application of critical thinking skills
  • Students work in teams to engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering

FIRST Tech Challenge

Ages 12-18
Grades 7-12

Benefits

  • Development of problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills
  • Gain hands-on programming and rapid-prototyping experience
  • Application of real world-math and science concepts

FIRST Robotics Competition

Ages 14-18
Grades 9-12

Benefits

  • Students develop, design, project management, programming, teamwork, strategic thinking, and cooperation skills
  • Work alongside professional engineers
  • Access to career discovery and scholarship opportunities

stipends based on the level of the new team mentored

$300 per Explore Team

Mentorship expectations

  • Provide minimum of 6 hours in person or live video mentoring
  • Support rookie team from kick-off to competiton

$400 per Challenge Team

Mentorship expectations

  • Provide minimum of 8 hours in person or live video mentoring
  • Support rookie team from kick-off to competiton

$350 per FTC Team

Mentorship expectations

  • Provide minimum of 10 hours in person or live video mentoring
  • Support rookie team from kick-off to competiton

$700 per FRC Team

Mentorship expectations

  • Provide minimum of 14 hours in person or live video mentoring
  • Support rookie team from kick-off to competiton

Questions? [email protected]

*Sign-up to receive more details: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeWHzOckzdhvrZWY2JI9DFoHePQuYEvOS2J8q67BJv6_R7GA/viewform.

Incentive packages available now for new teams!

Mari

FLL Explore

Grades 2-4
HFR provides:

  • $300 stipend and waives $75 local fee
Total Est. Cost for New Team:
$125 instead of $500

FLL Challenge

Grades 4-8
HFR provides:

  • $545 stipend and waives $150 local fee
Total Est. Cost for New Team:
$250 instead of $945

FIRST Tech Challenge

Grades 7-12
HFR provides:

  • $845 stipend and waives $200 local fee
Total Est. Cost for New Team:
$295 instead of $1300

FIRST Robotics Competition

Grades9-12
HFR provides:

  • $6000 stipend
Est. budget for New Team:
$4000+ instead of $10,000+

How to Qualify for an Incentive Package*

  • Register a new team with FIRST
  • Participate in the 2022-2023 FIRST Energize season in Hawaii

*Attend HFR coaches fair on 7/23 from 1-3 pm for priority access to funds

*Sign up to receive more details: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexzzQLXGX6WpoZgXJPZcAB0vIxD0pV2bw_ictzW10SNsmUrA/viewform.