Category: FIRST Tech Challenge

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.

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 Clinton.l.ng.civ@us.navy.mil

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? info@hawaiifirstrobotics.org

*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.

Let’s get Robotics back on track!

Luana

It is time to get ROBOTICS back on track in Hawai’i! Hawai’i FIRST Robotics (HFR) would like to help reestablish teams.

We want YOU to join us by putting together a team.

Check out this information we put together for schools… actually this stuff is good for ANY group wanting to dig into FIRST robotics. https://bit.ly/3yT3yfM

Sign up here to get more information for coaches, both returning and brand new! https://forms.gle/qXsg9u4TrDXzQV4y6

mahalo to our volunteers

Luana

MAHALO NUI to each and every one of our 100+ FABULOUS volunteers that came out to support the festivities this past weekend. The FRC Hawaii Regional, FLL Explore Expo, FLL Challenge and FTC demonstrations were a phenomenal success because YOU, our volunteers, freely, excitedly, and whole heartedly gave up your time to support robot enthusiasts from around the world!

A huge shout out goes to the following student leaders for their roles during the events:

  • FTC Inspire Award Team 18120 (Poki Cacti)
  • FLL Challenge Champion Team 51507 (Robo-Rangers – Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii)
  • FRC Student Ambassadors from:
    • Iolani
    • Kalani
    • Kauai
    • Konawaena
    • Maryknoll
    • Mid-Pacific
    • Mililani
    • Molokai
    • Pearl City
    • Punahou
    • Waialua.