Teams can pre-order season t-shirts for themselves, parents, etc. in advance (please order through a team, and include payment on one check) and to pick them up at the Blaisdell on November 14.
Download the 2022 Tee Shirt Order Form here
Aloha Teams!
Mahalo to Island School and Kauai Robotics Alliance for hosting this event. If your team is signed up to compete at Island School in Lihue on Nov. 5, this message is especially for you.
The following teams are scheduled to show their stuff at this event.
6175 6962 5159 13088 14825 16374
22492 20311 22517 18883 17445
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
We wish you all the best at this event and throughout the season. As always, reach out to us if you have questions or need help with anything.
The League Tournament is a regional qualifying event. Top scoring teams will advance to the Championship.
Aloha FLL Explore Coaches!
Registration is open now for the 2022 FLL Explore State Festival on Saturday, December 3, 2022** at the NBC Exhibition Hall. Please use this 2022 Explore Festival Registration link to register each of your teams by October 21, 2022.
For our veteran coaches, this will be the same fun celebration as the FLL Jr. Expo of past years. For our new coaches, detailed event information will be sent a couple weeks before the festival, and here is some basic information to help you plan.
(Two YPP coaches / mentors will be allowed to enter the Exhibition Hall with their teams; other parents enter with the public at 9 am)
(Each team will have a chance to present what they learned this season to volunteer “reviewers” in a safe non-competitive environment. Multiple teams enter the Pikake Ballroom at assigned times)
(Teams showcase their models and posters in the Exhibition Hall and share what they’ve learned with friends, family, and the public)
(Possible guided “tours” for Explore teams by older FIRST student mentors and visits to the team pits for 2022 FLL Challenge State Championship)
FLL Explore Parade and Hi-Fives Line (in front of the main stage before the FLL Challenge Opening Ceremony)
Team Recognition and FLL Explore Closing Ceremony (in the Pikake Ballroom, family, and friends welcome)
(Explore teams are invited to stay for the FLL Challenge robot matches and State Championship)
We hope you all join us to celebrate your team’s accomplishments with other teams from across the State. There is no fee to participate in this season’s Hawaii Festival. It will be a day for your FLL Explore teams to celebrate and display the results of their hard work and amazing efforts.
Thank you for all your time and dedication in making this season an amazing experience for your teams!
Sheree Herrera and Heidi Okikawa
FLL Explore Program Delivery Partners
Hawai‘i FIRST Robotics,
a 501c3 non-profit organization
FRC Teams – we have firmed up the Regional schedule and are locked in for Week 4!
Mark your calendars for 22-25 March 2023! More to follow….
Webinar: Modular Robot Design optimized for shipping
Since already-expensive robot shipping costs have only gotten higher, I wanted to offer an opportunity to learn more about how to build a modular robot that can be disassembled for shipment as excess airline baggage. There is a very experienced team out of San Diego (1622) who attended our regional a few years ago and has offered to host a webinar on modular robot design. Please let me know if you are interested, and I’ll set something up!
Thanks to those of you that have already responded. I’ll share a date for that when it’s scheduled.
Aloha,
MICHAEL COLLAT
Hawai`i FRC Regional Director
Email: hifrcrd@gmail.com
Aloha new and returning volunteers!
The PowerPlay season is now officially open for teams to plan, build and test with league events beginning on October 29th. We invite you to join in the excitement of participating in one, two, or all the events this season! If you’re new to FIRST, no worries. Many roles require no training or preparation. For those roles that do require training (marked with asterisk * below) we provide the necessary in-person or online instruction. Finally, you may select which event(s) you wish to participate in.
WHAT VOLUNTEER ROLES ARE NEEDED?
Full descriptions may be found HERE.)
Season Calendar of Events
Six League Meets, 3-4 hours each. Set-up 1 hour prior to start time.
League Tournament Dec. 10, 2022
12/10 Saturday @ LeJardin Academy, 8:00am – 4:00pm. This is a qualifying event. Sixteen of the top scoring teams will advance to the Championship.
Hawai’i Championship, Jan. 14, 2023 (venue TBD)
The Hawai’i Championship will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
How to Register as a Volunteer.
If you already have a FIRST account, log into your FIRST Dashboard HERE. After logging in, click on the “Volunteer Registration” tab at the top of the Dashboard.
If you are brand new to FIRST, follow these instructions:
1. Create an account in the FIRST Dashboard by following THIS LINK.
2. Once you are at your Dashboard, select the Volunteer Registration tab & choose ‘Volunteer at an Event’.
3. Filter events by location/program: Location = Hawaii, Program = FTC. Then, select an event where you can help. If you’re not sure which event to choose, select all league meets and we’ll coordinate with you later.
4. Choose up to five roles and apply.
5. Complete the required youth protection background screening (US & Canada).
You will receive an email from your local event coordinator when you are assigned to a volunteer role.
If you have any problems, email us at ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org.
For the latest FTC updates and information, visit the Hawai’i FTC Blog often.
If you are new to Hawai’i FIRST Robotics, we look forward to meeting you. We love making new friends, reconnecting with veteran volunteers, and promoting STEM education for Hawai’i keiki.
All questions are welcome.
Aloha,
Aaron, Blake and Jenny (ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org)
Aloha FTC Coaches,
We have three important topics for you today. Please carefully read each one and mark the changes on your calendar.
League Selection Process
Click HERE to open the League Selection Form and select your preferred League Events. Teams are asked to provide ONE volunteer to assist at League Meets. You will need to enter your volunteers’ contact information on this form.
2022-23 League Meet Calendar
League Tournament on Dec. 10, 2022 @ Le Jardin Academy.
The League Tournament is a regional qualifying event. Sixteen of the top scoring teams will advance to the Championship.
Hawai’i Championship has moved to Jan 14, 2023
The Hawai’i Championship is rescheduled to take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023. The venue will be published once it is confirmed.
Stay Up to Date by checking the Hawai’i FIRST Tech Challenge Blog <https://hawaiifirstrobotics.org/first-tech-challenge>
Questions? Email ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org
We wish your team all the best this season!
Aaron, Blake & Jenny
your Hawai’i FTC Partners
Aloha Teams! We hope the Kickoff presentation and PowerPlay Game Reveal inspired you to meet the challenges of the new season. If you missed the in-person kickoff, no worries. The entire presentation (slideshow) with all available season details is posted on the Hawai’i FTC homepage.
Coaches should be on the lookout for the Event Selection Form which is used to select your team’s preferred League Meet dates. The form will arrive via email in coming days, as soon as event venues are confirmed.
Congratulations FTC Teams 20423 and 17063. Each took home a GoBuilda Strafer Chassis Kit. Mahalo to GoBuilda!
Congratulations also to Teams 6962 and 9378. These teams won a new Chromebook Laptop, courtesy of Assets Robotics (Assets School, Honolulu).
Last Chance for teams to register for the Kickoff Sweepstakes
Four winners will receive a 2022-2023 POWERPLAY partial game set and scoring elements, a total approximate retail value of $290.00.
All teams need to do to enter is complete their 2022-2023 FIRST® Tech Challenge team season registration before September 15, 2022, at 12pm ET for a chance to win the Kickoff Sweepstakes.
If a team has already completed their FIRST Tech Challenge season registration for this season, they are already entered into the sweepstakes. Thanks for helping us spread the word!
FIRST® Tech Challenge Rookie Grant
News for Teams – August 2022
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.
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.
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.
