Category: News

FTC Hawai’i Team Update Feb 6, 2022

Aaron

Aloha FTC Coaches. As we enter the final weeks of the Freight Frenzy Hawai’i season we want to congratulate your team for making it this far. With the Championship just around the corner it’s time to highlight several upcoming dates and deadlines. Please share this information with your team.

FTC Teams planning to participate in the Hawai’i Championship event must complete the following requirements to be considered for awards:

  • complete a minimum of 2 League meets (10 matches total)
  • submit completed match scores via FTC Scoring System
  • submit an Engineering Portfolio via FTC Scoring System by Feb 15
  • complete an Interview with judges on Feb. 26. RSVP by Feb 15 below.
  • Submit Championship match scores by March 5
  1. Championship Judging and Awards
    • Engineering Portfolio –  due Feb. 15, 2022
  •  (Optional) Control Award Submission 
  1. Championship Judge Interviews
    • Judge Interviews will be held via Zoom on Feb 26
    • RSVP HERE to select your preferred time slot. Confirmations will be emailed to coaches.
    • Interview Format
      • 15 minutes is allocated for each team
      • 5 min team presentation
      • 5 min to demonstrate your robot running a match with scoring
      • 5 min Judge Q & A
  1. (Optional) Dean’s List Nominations Due by Feb 15
    • Submit nominations via your Team page at https://ftc-scoring.firstinspires.org/
    • If you are planning to submit a nomination by the deadline, NOW is the time to reserve an interview time slot.  RSVP for the Dean’s List Interview HERE. 
    • Interview Confirmations will be emailed to the Coach who must forward it to the nominee.
    • Interviews will be via Zoom on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 starting at 8:00am.
    • See the Dean’s List Nomination Guide for full information
  1. Championship Awards
    • Championship Awards Presentation will take place via ZOOM on March 12 at 9:00am. The ceremony will also be live-streamed on YouTube and available for later viewing.

FRC Volunteers Needed! PASS THE WORD!

FIRST Robotics Competition, Hawai’i’s most elite STEM event for high school students needs volunteers to assist at the Hawai’i Regional Competition. This huge and exciting event takes place at University of Hawai’i Manoa campus from March 30 to April 2. We encourage all FTC coaches, parents, mentors to assist with the plethora of tasks required to make this event a success. If you or someone you know wants to make a positive impact in the community by inspiring our youth, please encourage them to volunteer for FRC. Register to volunteer here or email us for more information at info@hawaiifirstrobotics.org. MAHALO!

Rapid React Game logo

2022 FRC in Hawai`i update

Michael

Aloha Hawai`i FRC teams!   

As we head toward submitting competition preferences this next week, I wanted to share the exciting news that we’ve finally secured the Stan Sheriff Center at UH Mānoa for hosting our FRC in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition 31 March – 2 April 2022!  

While the pandemic protocols are ever-evolving, we are working towards hosting an in-person competition if we can do so safely and in accordance with state, local, and FIRST guidelines as they stand in March. 

I wanted you to be aware of this as you make plans for the upcoming season.  I understand that many of you coming back while some have lost momentum over the last two years and are facing the prospect of essentially rebuilding your teams almost from the ground up.  Please let us know how we can help and what questions or concerns you may have.

One other ask:  we are looking to replace our Volunteer Coordinator, April Danyluk, who moved to the mainland with her active duty husband. If you know of anyone from your community who can help, we’d be very appreciative.  April made a good handover book and is willing to train up a new helper.  

Take care of yourselves, stay well, and please let me what your intentions are for the 2022 FRC season and how we can help you.

Aloha,

MICHAEL COLLAT

Hawai`i FRC Regional Director

FTC Freight Frenzy kickoff Invitation

Aaron

Aloha Students, Team Leaders, Mentors, and Volunteers!

Hawai’i FIRST Robotics is delighted to present the Hawai’i FTC 2021 “Freight Frenzy” Kickoff.  Although we are not able to come together in person during these unusual times, we certainly can meet online to launch the new season and explore the opportunities for you to continue learning, building, and exploring new challenges.

 Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021

9:00am to 10:00am,  via ZOOM: https://tinyurl.com/5cdp9ww8

Meeting ID: 892 5020 7036

Passcode: 353473  

What you will learn: 

  • How the Hawai’i season will progress under current COVID conditions
  • How Game Rules, Matches, and Events have changed to accommodate your team’s unique scheduling needs 
  • New Team Grant Opportunities
  • Revisions  to the Championship Event 
  • Answers to  all your questions

For more information about FIRST Tech Challenge and other FIRST programs, go to https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/game-and-season

See you at the Kickoff,

Aaron, Jenny, & Blake

Your FTC Partners with 

Hawaii FIRST Robotics 

a 503c3 Hawai’i non-profit organization

FTC “Freight Frenzy” Season Preview

Aaron
  1. “Freight Frenzy” Kickoff announcement
  2. Preview of Season Logistics
  3. $$$ Grants for Teams
  4. What are your plans for this season?
  5. You are invited: Be a Hawai’i FTC Planner

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“Freight Frenzy” Online KickoffFREIGHT FRENZY logo

The FIRST® Tech Challenge season will kick off September 18 with the new game “Freight Frenzy”. 

  • Links to the national and Hawai’i Kickoff events will be posted when available. 
  • Registration for the 2021-2022 season is now open in the FIRST Dashboard.
  • Game rules include half-field modification options for remote and hybrid formats as needed. 

_________________________________________________

2021-2022 FIRST® Hawai’i FTC Preview
Here’s a look at what we’re planning for the 2021-2022 Hawai’i FTC season:

  • The Hawai’i season will consist of weekly remote qualifying events similar to last year
  • League Meets will be scheduled weekly from November to March providing flexibility for teams to participate on their preferred schedule.  
  • In-person events are NOT planned at this time based on the latest recommendations from the Hawai’i Department of Health and CDC.  
  • For the latest information about FTC Hawai’i events, team grants, and more

_________________________________________________

$$$ Grants for Teams

  • $1,000 Bayer FIRST Team Grants. Oahu, Molokai, and Maui only. Sept 30 deadline.
  • $500 FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grant. Deadline 11/01/21
  • FIRST Equity and Access Grant for rookie and verteran teams. Deadline 8/16/21
  • $1,000 BAE Systems Team Grant for rookie and veteran teams. 
  • For the latest grant offers visit https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/team-grants

_________________________________________________

Tell us your plans for this season? 

We are committed to working with you to bring FIRST Tech Challenge to the students in your life. Although we’re doing our best to navigate current uncertainties, we cannot effectively plan ahead without feedback from you.  So, please email us and tell us if your team(s) will be participating this season, along with any suggestions for improving our program.  

_________________________________________________

Become a Hawai’i FTC Planner 

We always do better with your help. Please join us for the Hawai’i FTC Planners meeting via Zoom, Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 4:00-5:00pm.  Email us for the Zoom link. 

We look forward to working with you to move FTC FORWARD.

Aloha,

Aaron, Blake, & Jenny

FTC Partners for
Hawaii FIRST Robotics,
a 501c3 non-profit organization 

FTC Championship Awards

Aaron

Aloha Teams,

Congratulations to all the Hawai`i teams who participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge Ultimate Goal Championship. With the League season now behind us and with scores tallied, the judges have rendered their decisions.  We know you are anxious to see the Championship results so we are releasing them below and on the Hawai`i FIRST Robotics website.  

Hawai`i FTC Awards Show, Coming Soon

Although having an in-person celebration wasn’t possible this season we are working to produce a Hawai`i FTC Awards Show (online) to be released on or before May 9. It’s our way of celebrating your achievements and acknowledging the countless hours of hard work that went into creating your amazing robotics. Help us pass the word to families and friends and encourage them to stream the video when available.  A link will be forthcoming.

Championship Award Volunteers

The Championship and these Awards would not have been possible without our volunteers. We are especially grateful to the Dean’s List Interviewers, Championship Judges, and to LeJardin Academy for providing the Championship Judging venue. We sincerely thank the following volunteers for their time, effort, dedication, and for making this season a success: Teri Nobriga, Jeff Kanada, John O’Hey, Tim Donlon, Brian Catlin, Tyson Kikugawa, Melissa Handy, Tracy Tonaki, Dale Zane, Marian Swider, and Danette Kobayashi.

Mahalo to our Sponsors

  • Hitachi Hawai`i
  • Booz Allen

 “Ultimate Goal” Awards

Dean’s List Finalists 
Kyla Lee9378 Magma Robotics, Kalani High School
Jake Yoshimoto11165 O-Bots (Independent)
Top Ranked Teams
Rank 111165 O-Bots – Honolulu, HI 
Rank 218120 HFR JS 3 – Honolulu, HI 
Rank 313088 Cyber Saints –  Kapaa, HI 
Rank 45159 X-bots – Honolulu, HI
Control Award sponsored by Arm, Inc. 18120 HFR JS 3 – Honolulu, HI 
Collins Aerospace Innovate Award 13088 Cyber Saints – Kapaa, HI 
Connect Award9378 Magma Robotics – Honolulu, HI 
Think Award 11165 O-Bots – Honolulu, HI 
Inspire Award 18120 HFR JS 3 – from Honolulu, HI

Mahalo for a great season!

Aaron, Blake, Jenny

FTC Program Delivery Partners

Hawai`i FIRST Robotics 

Booz Allen and Hawai`i FIRST Robotics Are Creating an Island-Based Tech Talent Pipeline

Aaron

Hawai`i, best known as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, has a problem retaining talent in technical fields: Many young people have been leaving the islands due to a combination of the high cost of living and a lack of economic opportunities, both real and perceived. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated efforts to improve economic resilience by diversifying the local economy.  

Hawai`i FIRST Robotics and Booz Allen are working to be part of the solution by introducing students from ages 6 to 18 to STEM projects, aiming to keep tech talent in Hawai`i and grow the state’s innovation ecosystem. Read more …