Tag: FIRST Tech Challenge

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!

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

_________________________________________________

“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 

Sign up for FTC Remote League meets

Hawaii FTC Partner

Aloha Hawai’i FTC teams,

Follow this link to register your team to participate in Hawai’i League Meets. One form must be completed for each team.

All currently scheduled Hawaii FTC events will be held remotely. Also, teams are encouraged to participate in as many League meets as they are able. A team’s top ten (10) Matches from all previous league meets determine their rank when entering the League Tournament at the end of the season. Since traveling between islands is not required this year, the past season’s ranking method is not being used.

Teams have a full week to complete a Remote League Meet which consists of 6 scored matches. Remote Meets begin on Sunday and end on Saturday of that week. If you sign up for an event, you are expected to submit scores for that event by 11:50pm on Saturday of that week. Failure to submit scores will be considered a no show and result in a score of zero.

HAWAII REGISTRATION FEES WAIVED: To encourage and support teams during the pandemic, Hawaii FIRST Robotics has waived all Hawaii registration fees.

If you need help or have questions, visit Hawaii FTC Updates https://hawaiifirstrobotics.orgfirst-tech-challenge/ or email us at ftc@hawaiifirstrobotics.org.

Mahalo, and good luck throughout the season!

Remote Season webinars for FTC teams

Hawaii FTC Partner

FIRST Tech Challenge is offering a series of webinars for Teams to provide support and answer questions about our upcoming remote season. Teams may register for the November Team webinars below. Note, registration requires a Team number.

You can find the archive for all Team webinar recordings here.

Hawaii FTC update nov. 3, 2020

Hawaii FTC Partner

Aloha Teams, 

We hope your FTC season is progressing well.  We have several important updates for you today.  But first, let’s address a question that may be concerning you. 

Is it too late to start a FTC team and participate fully in the season?

No, it is definitely not too late.  In fact, it’s entirely possible given our expanded season, for a team to start as late as January and still enjoy the full season experience. To us, “full participation” means competing in three League Meets, one League Tournament, and/or Championship. Participation in the Championship is not mandatory, however, your team’s award earning prospects will be greatly diminished by missing the event. 

Good news! No registration fees for Hawaii Teams!

Hawaii FIRST Robotics® has officially waived the $120 Hawaii team registration fee.  It’s our way of supporting all the hard work you do when learning new skills and making the world a better place.   

Great News!! FREE RevRobotics Control Hub for Hawaii Teams

Our stellar sponsor, Hitachi Hawaii, has graciously provided Hawaii FIRST Robotics with funding to support each team’s effort this season. Thanks to Hitachi’s generous support, each registered Hawaii team participating in the Ultimate Goal Hawaii season will receive a new RevRobotics Control Hub, a $300 value.  Click here to request yours.

Expanded Hawaii Season Calendar (link)

To accommodate the various scheduling requirements of our teams, we have added many new events to the season.  Beginning this month, teams may participate in weekly league events stretching to the end of February. March will include a League Tournament in which all teams may participate, as well as the Ultimate Goal Championship event. Note, all Hawaii events will be held remotely (online) and teams will have a one week period in which to complete the required matches and submit scores for each event.

Scoring Software release expected in late November

The official FIRST FTC Scoring Software is anticipated to be released by the time our first League event begins on Nov. 29.  If the software is not released in time, teams may decide to forego that week’d event OR use paper scoresheets. Paper/pencil scores should be submitted directly to your FTC Partners. 

Are you missing information?

If you missed the Official FIRST FTC Kickoff or the Hawaii FTC Kickoff, you may be missing key season information your team will need. Please review the kickoffs (links above) and then visit the FTC Team Management Resources page for official game manuals, grant opportunities, and practical help with setting up your remote league events. 

That’s for now. Send us an email when you have questions or need help. Until next time, keep up the good work. We wish you all the best.

Your FTC Partners,

Aaron, Blake, and Jenny