Category: News

Hawai`i FRC Regional – Week 4 (22-25 March 2023)

Aaron

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

new Volunteer guide

Aaron

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.)

  • Team Check-In & Safety Glass Monitor
  • Queuer – remind teams when to line up for their upcoming match
  • Field Resetter – resets the arena between matches
  • Emcee/Game Announcer – are you outgoing? This may be for you!
  • Video Monitor/Helper – requires experience with consumer AV equipment
  • Float – substitutes for volunteers on break
  • AV Support/Set-up – requires experience with consumer AV equipment
  • *Robot Inspectors – requires experience with FTC robot hardware and software, plus 1 hour online training.
  • *Field Tech Advisor – requires 1 hour online training
  • *Referee/Scorekeeper – requires 2 hour training, online or in-person
  • *Head Scorekeeper – 1 hour online training
  • *Field Manager – 1 hour online training
  • *Judges – Judges Interview teams (via Zoom) for awards. Judges also attend League Tournament and Championship.
  • *Dean’s List Interviewers – Interviews Dean’s Award nominees (via Zoom) during week of Dec 3 – 10. Usually 2-4 hours.

Season Calendar of Events

Six League Meets, 3-4 hours each. Set-up 1 hour prior to start time.

  • 10/29 Saturday, Iolani School @ 1:00 pm
  • 11/05 Saturday, Island School, Lihue @ 11:00 am
  • 11/12 Saturday, Kalani High School @ 8:30 am
  • 11/19 Saturday, LeJardin Academy @ 8:30 am
  • 11/20 Sunday, Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihue @ 10:00 am
  • 11/26 Saturday, Mililani High School @ 8:30 am

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)

FTC League Selection, New Event Dates!

Aaron

Aloha FTC Coaches,

We have three important topics for you today. Please carefully read each one and mark the changes on your calendar.

  • League Meet Selection Process
  • League Tournament on Dec. 10, 2022
  • Hawai’i Championship: moved to Jan 14, 2023

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 Meet Calendar
    1. 10/29 Iolani School @ 1:00pm
    2. 11/05 Island School, Lihue, Kauai @ 11:00am
    3. 11/12 Kalani High School @ 8:30am
    4. 11/19 Le Jardin Academy @ 8:30am
    5. 11/20 Kukui Grove, Lihue, Kauai @ 10:00am
    6. 11/26 Mililani High School @ 8:30am

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

PowerPlay Kickoff Review

Aaron

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.

League Event Selection Update

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.

Kickoff Door Prize Winners!

Congratulations FTC Teams 20423 and 17063. Each took home a GoBuilda Strafer Chassis Kit. Mahalo to GoBuilda!

Click the pic to purchase a GoBuilda kit for $150. Only 150 are available at this super low price.

Congratulations also to Teams 6962 and 9378. These teams won a new Chromebook Laptop, courtesy of Assets Robotics (Assets School, Honolulu).

Kickoff Sweepstakes ends Sept 15!

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!

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.