Tag: FTC Updates

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 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” 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 

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