Tag: FIRST Tech Challenge

HI FIRST Robotics & Booz Allen Hamilton Grant – Feb 16 Deadline

Aaron

Aloha Teams, 

We are thrilled to share news of a generous new grant opportunity for Hawai’i FIRST teams. But you must act fast! The deadline to apply is Feb. 16, 2024!  The application may be downloaded HERE.  Questions, if any, should be emailed to Megan at Kobayashi_Megan@bah.com.  

Good luck teams!

FTC Partners,

Aaron, Blake, Peter

  • This grant is open to all Hawai’i FIRST Robotics teams including FLL, FTC, and FRC.
  • The grant is awarded to two teams working together as a mentoring team and a protege (mentored) team
  • the mentor team will receive $2,000
  • the Protege team will receive $1,000
  • Applications must be submitted before February 16, 2024
  • Grants will be awarded on March 1, 2024

Team Update, Nov. 27, 2023

Aaron

[NOTE: information in this update may be outdated. Refer to more recent FTC Updates for the latest information.

Aloha Teams,

This update includes important items you will need to plan for the next two weeks. Although some details were shared with you in previous emails, this update includes new/revised details not included previously. 

Please read carefully and update your calendar as needed.

In this update:

  • Final League Rankings Online
  • Engineering Portfolio & (optional) Control Award Submissions: Link & Deadline: Dec. 1 at 11:59 PM
  • Judge Interviews at the Tournament, Dec. 9
  • Judge Interview Request Form
  • League Tournament Agenda, Dec. 9
  • State Championship Agenda, Dec. 10

——————————————————————————————

League Rankings Online

Final League Rankings determine a team’s seed position at the Tournament. Rankings may be viewed at THIS LINK.

——————————————————————————————

Engineering Portfolio & (optional) Control Award Submissions: Link & Deadline

  • Due Dec. 1, 11:59 PM
    • Portfolio Instructions are in the Game Manual Part 1
    • Submit the Portfolio as a PDF via THIS LINK
    • Late submissions are not allowed.
    • The Filename must be your Team Number and end in .pdf — Example: “12345-Portfolio.pdf”.
  • If your team plans to submit the optional Control Award Submission form,
    • name your file similarly as above 
    • use the same link as for the portfolio above
    • Example: “12345-Control.pdf”

—————————————————————————————–  

Judge Interviews at the FTC League Tournament, Dec. 9

  • Judge interviews will be in person at the League Tournament on Dec. 9. 
  • Judge Interviews are only mandatory for teams that have submitted a Portfolio and want to contend for the Inspire Award. Teams may opt out of the judge interview if they wish.
  • Teams wishing to be interviewed may sign up for a time slot when checking in at the Tournament. The signup sheet will be on the event check-in table. 
  • Portfolios are required for ALL awards (including the Inspire Award). Teams that do not submit a portfolio are not eligible for any awards.

—————————————————————————————–  

Judge Interview Request Form
Coaches, please tell us, Yes or No, does your team wish to be interviewed? Click the link to send your answer.
Interview_question.gle Mahalo!

—————————————————————————————–

FTC League Tournament Agenda, Dec. 9 @ Le Jardin Academy

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Hawai’i FTC League Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 9. at Le Jardin Academy.  

All Hawai’i teams are invited to compete. 

Please share this tentative agenda with your team members and families. Times are subject to change.

Day 1: Saturday, Dec. 9, League Tournament Agenda (rev. Dec 4)
7:30 am Teams, please check-in & help set up
8:00 am Inspections, Judge Interviews, Practice
10:10 am Drivers Meeting
10:30 am Opening Ceremony
10:45 am Robot Matches
12:30 pm Lunch Break
1:10 pm Robot Matches Continued
4:15 pm Awards
5:00 pm Teams, please help us put away things and clean up the venue! Mahalo

The top 16 ranked Teams from the League Tournament advance to the State Championship.

——————————————————————————————

FTC State Championship Agenda, Dec. 10 @ Le Jardin Academy

The Hawaii Regional Championship Tournament format is described in Game Manual 1. Here is how the format applies to the Hawaii Regional Championship:  

All 16 qualified teams will play 5 qualification matches each in randomly selected alliances. The teams will then be ranked based on their qualification match scores only, past league performance scores are not considered. The four top-ranked teams will select an alliance partner. These four alliances will then compete in elimination matches.  

The Inspire Award Winner and the Winning Alliance Captain (the team that selected a partner) will advance to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX. 

Day 2: Sunday, Dec. 10, Hawai’i Championship Agenda (rev. Dec. 4)
7:30 am Teams, please check-in
8:00 Inspections, Practice
9:15 am Drivers Meeting
9:30 am Opening Ceremony
10:05 am Qualification Matches, Alliance Selection
12:30 pm Lunch Break
1:10 pm Elimination Matches
3:00 pm Awards
3:30 pm Closing Ceremony

  • Please note that schedule times are estimated and may vary due to issues with robots and safety.

FTC Update Nov. 21, 2023: Rankings, Portfolios, Mililani League #6

Aaron

IN THIS UPDATE:

  • Mililani League #6 Nov. 25, Reminders
  • Current League Rankings
  • Engineering Portfolio: Link & Deadline: Dec. 1
  • Control Award Submissions: Due Dec. 9 @ the Tournament
  • Judge Interviews will be in-person at the Tournament, Dec. 9

——————————————————————————————

Mililani League #6 Reminders

  • Start-End Times: Check-in 7:45am.  Robot Inspections 8:00am.  This event is expected to run 3-4 hours. 
  • All teams are kindly asked to help with take down and clean up when matches are finished. Mahalo!
  • LOCATION: Mililani High School Cafeteria (see map)
  •  
  • PARKING: in marked stalls only
  • Team Rosters are required if you have added any team members since your previous event.
  • Food/Snacks: Teams may bring their own food/drinks. Food consumption is not allowed in the pit or match areas. Mililani Town Center is just across the street if anyone needs a quick bite before/after.
  • Bring your own safety gear: Closed-toe/heel shoes and safety glasses are required at all times in the pits and field areas.

—————————————————————————————— 

Current League Rankings may be viewed at THIS LINK. 
Note, rankings are subject to change until all league events are complete.

——————————————————————————————  

Engineering Portfolio & Control Award Submissions: Link & Deadline

  • Engineering Portfolio due Dec. 1 (was Nov. 24)
    • Portfolio Instructions are in the Game Manual
    • Submit the Portfolio as a PDF via THIS LINK
  • Control Awards Submissions should be printed out and turned in on Dec. 9 at the Tournament Check-In table.

——————————————————————————————  
Judge Interviews at the Tournament, Dec. 9 (reminder)

  • Judge interviews will be in-person at the League Tournament on Dec. 9. 
  • Zoom interviews on Dec. 3 were cancelled. 
  • Interviews are mandatory for the Inspire Award and Dean’s List, but optional for all others.  
  • Teams wishing to be interviewed will sign up for a time slot at the Tournament check-in table. 
  • CORRECTION: Portfolios are required for ALL “judged” awards. A recent team update omitted the word “judged”.

——————————————————————————————    

UPCOMING SEASON EVENTS

Dec. 9, 2023 Hawai’i League Tournament at Le Jardin Academy

  • includes Judge Interviews
  • New Start Time: Team Check-in 7:30am

Dec. 10, 2023 Hawai’i Championship at Le Jardin Academy

FTC Critical Update Nov 9, 23

Aaron

Hawai’i FTC Team Update Nov. 9, 2023

  • IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE AWARDS & JUDGING PROCESS
  • Dean’s List Nomination Deadline Nov. 15

Aloha Teams, 

We hope your competitions are progressing well. We’ve made a significant change to the season schedule. Please share the details with your team. As always, email us if you have any questions.

 Mahalo!  Aaron, Blake, & Peter

——————————————–

IMPORTANT REVISIONS TO JUDGING PROCESS

Due to an extreme shortage of volunteer judges, Hawai’i Partners have found it necessary to modify the season schedule as follows:  

  1. Judge Interviews “via ZOOM on Dec. 2, 2023” are CANCELED.   Instead, all judge interviews will take place in-person at the League Tournament on Dec. 9.   (Dean’s List Interviews via ZOOM on Nov. 25 are not affected by this change)
  1. Interviews are mandatory for the Inspire Award and Dean’s List, but optional for all other awards.  Teams may opt out of the judge interview if they wish. Only the Inspire Award and Dean’s List have mandatory interviews. 
  1. Teams wishing to be interviewed may sign up for a time slot when checking in at the Tournament. The sign up sheet will be on the event check-in table. 
  1. Portfolios are still required for ALL awards. This has not changed. 
  1. New League Tournament (Dec. 9) Start Time: 7:30am

Season Schedule (revised)

  • League Meet #3 11/11 Sat. Kalani High School 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • League Meet #4  11/18 Sat. Assets School 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • League Meet #5 11/19 Sun. Island School, Lihue 10:30 am -3:30 pm
  • League Meet #6  11/25 Sat. Mililani High School 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Dean’s List Interviews via ZOOM, 11/25 Sat. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • *Awards/Judging Interviews via ZOOM, 12/2 Sat. 7:30 – 3:00 pm
  • League Tournament & Judge Interviews 12/9 Sat. Le Jardin Academy 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Hawaii Championship 12/10 Sun. Le Jardin Academy 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Dean’s List Nomination Deadline Nov. 15

  • Dean List Awards Nomination period ends Nov. 15
  • Download the Nomination Guide
  • Dean’s List Interview-Only Event Nov. 25, 8:00am – 12:00pm via ZOOM
  • Coaches and Nominees will receive interview appointment via email after nomination periods ends

FTC League season schedule UPDATED 10/22

Aaron

UPDATED: Oct. 22, 2023

Mark your calendars!

Here is a listing of all Hawai’i League events along with teams competing at each one. Also included is an index to Hawai’i teams and their sponsoring organizations.

A team’s performance at League meets determine its’ seed position at the Tournament in December. League venues include ‘Iolani School, Island School (Lihue, Kauai), Kalani High School, Assets School (Alewa Hts), and Mililani High School. Questions and comments are welcome at <ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org>

Season Schedule of Events with Participating Teams List

  • League Meet #1 10/28 Sat. ‘Iolani School 1:00 pm -5:00 pm
  • League Meet #2  11/04 Sat. Island School, Lihue 10:30 am -3:30pm
  • League Meet #3 11/11 Sat. Kalani High School 8:30 am – 12:30pm
  • League Meet #4  11/18 Sat. Assets School 8:30 am – 12:30pm
  • League Meet #5  11/19 Sun. Island School, Lihue 10:30 am -3:30pm
  • League Meet #6  11/25 Sat. Mililani High School 8:30 am – 12:30pm
  • *Dean’s List Interviews via ZOOM, 11/25 Sat. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • *Awards/Judging Interviews via ZOOM, 12/2 Sat. 7:30 – 3:00 pm
  • League Tournament  12/9 Sat. Le Jardin Academy 8:00 am – 4:30pm
  • Hawaii Championship 12/10 Sun.     Le Jardin Academy 8:00 am – 3:30pm

Essential info from the Kickoff

Aaron

Aloha Teams,

Welcome back for another exciting FTC season!

This post includes critical information we presented at the Kickoff. We urge every coach to review this info with the team. Also, be sure to add FTC event dates to your team calendar. As always, we welcome your questions and suggestions. FTC Partners can be reached at <ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org>.

______________________________________________________

Season Schedule of events

  • League Meet #1 10/28 Sat. ‘Iolani School 1:00 pm
  • League Meet #2  11/04 Sat. Island School, Lihue 10:30 am
  • League Meet #3 11/11 Sat. Kalani High School 8:30 am
  • League Meet #4  11/18 Sat. Assets School 8:30 am
  • League Meet #5  11/19 Sun. Island School, Lihue 10:30 am
  • League Meet #6  11/25 Sat. Mililani High School 8:30 am
  • League Tournament  12/9 Sat. Le Jardin Academy 8:00 am
  • Hawaii Championship 12/10 Sun.     Le Jardin Academy 8:00 am

______________________________________________________

3 Components of Tournament and Championship

  • Engineering Portfolio** (due 11/24/23, Midnight), a 16-page document summarizing the team’s research, planning, challenges, outreach, “Aha” moments, etc.  See Game Manual 1 for guidelines and the Judge’s Rubric. Pay special attention to the rubric as it is your guide to preparation.
  • Judge Interviews via ZOOM Sat. Dec. 2 (these will be scheduled in advance)
    • 10 minutes total
    • 5 min. Team Prepared Presentation**
    • 5 min. Q&A
  • Robot Game – competitive matches taking place in an arena. Judges observe each team in matches to assess robot performance.

**Presentation and Portfolio are required to qualify for awards.**

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

BREAKOUT SESSION HANDOUTS [LINK]

“CenterStage” Kickoff Sept 9!

Aaron

2023-2024 Hawai’i FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff sponsored by Hitachi!

WHEN: SATURDAY, SEPT 9, 2023

TIME: 8:30AM TO 12:00PM
WHERE: Le Jardin Academy, Wang Auditorium, Kailua, HI

Aloha FIRST Tech Challenge Community!

Hawai’i FIRST Robotics is thrilled to present the new FIRST Tech Challenge season, “CenterStage” sponsored by Hitachi.

We can’t wait to see you all again. Please join us September 9 at Le Jardin Academy for the launch of 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:

  • New Season Preview, with important changes to rules and schedule
  • Full Reveal of the new CenterStage challenge
  • Gift Cards, SWAG, and other prizes!!
  • Detailed walk-through of the fully assembled new game arena
  • Breakout sessions covering topics critical to team success:
    • New/Rookie Team Orientation
    • Expert Building Tips
    • Electronics Systems Basics
    • Coding Essentials
    • “Winning Robots” Show & Tell
  • Learn about the latest new hardware & software options
  • Learn about new grants and funding opportunities for your team
  • Meet & greet other teams and coaches
  • Answers to all your FTC questions

Directions to the Kickoff, see the map below.

Questions? Email us at FTC@hawaiifirstrobotics.org

See you at the Kickoff!

FTC League #3 @ Kalani High School

Aaron

Aloha Teams!

We are very grateful to Kalani High School for hosting League #3 on Saturday, Nov. 12. 

The following teams are scheduled to show their stuff at this event.  This event is expected to run 3-4 hours. 

8740     8741     8898     9378     

14825     15076     15236     22536

Teams not competing are still encouraged to come and enjoy the event.

Important information for All Teams

  • START TIMES: Doors will open to all teams at 8:00am. 
  • Matches start at 9:30pm or as soon as all teams are present and robots inspected.
  • LOCATION: Kalani High School Cafeteria (a map was emailed to teams).
  • PARKING: Park in any marked stall in the front or back of the school.
  • This event is expected to run 3-4 hours. 
  • BRING YOUR OWN SAFETY GEAR: Closed-toe shoes and safety glasses are required at all times in the pits and field areas. 
  • LUNCH AND SNACKS: Lunch will not be provided, however, there will be snacks available to buy at the concession stand.

If this is your first competition of the season, do the following:

  • BRING A HARD COPY OF YOUR TEAM ROSTER. It must be the official roster printed from your FIRST Dashboard. This roster ensures that your students have signed the Consent and Release form as required by FIRST.   Students not listed on the “official” roster may not be able to participate. If you haven’t gathered your Consent and Release forms, start NOW as the process involves parental consent and may take a couple days to complete. To register your members, follow the instructions here <FIRST Registration>. 
  • PRE-INSPECT YOUR ROBOT using the Robot Inspection and Field Inspection Checklists (links in Game Manual).   This will help us avoid delays and ensure that the event can start and end on time.
    • Detailed instructions are in Game Manual 1 & 2. 
  • RENAME YOUR DRIVER STATION (DS) and ROBOT CONTROLLER (RS).  
    • The correct format is to enter your Team number followed by -DS or -RC. 
    • Driver Station Example: 9999-DS
    • Robot Controller Example: 9999-RC. 
    • Teams with more than one Driver Station or Robot Controller Android Device must name these devices with the Team number followed by a hyphen then a letter designation beginning with “A” (for example, “12345-A-RC”, “12345-B-RC”).
  • CHANGE THE DEFAULT PASSWORD ON YOUR ROBOT CONTROLLER
    • a robot controller with the default password will fail inspection
    • after changing the password, make sure more than one person on your drive team knows what it is

That’s it for now. (whew!) 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.

Aaron, Blake, and Jenny, your Hawai’i FTC Partners