Event Feedback | Event Summaries | Leaving Tournaments Early | A Message from our Judge Advisors

1. Event Feedback
2. Event Summaries
3. Leaving tournaments early is not Gracious Professionalism
4. A Message from our Judge Advisors


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1. Event Feedback
If your team has participated in a qualifier event, FIRST would like to have your feedback! Please take five minutes and complete a brief survey. Your feedback is very important to us - and it is anonymous.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/eventsurvey

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2. Event Summaries
Are you interested in knowing the results from the Qualifiers? Check out the Qualifier Summary Page. This lists the teams who won awards, teams who advanced, links to pictures and other tidbits.

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3. Leaving tournaments early is not Gracious Professionalism
Tournament organizers and volunteers put a lot of time and effort to make sure each and every event runs smoothly. We understand that many teams have long drives "home" - in fact many of us have long drives ourselves. Please remember that many volunteers are the first ones to arrive (around 6:30am) and are the last ones to depart (around 7pm).

We are asked multiple times "Our team was not selected in the alliance selection, can we leave?" or "Can we get our engineering notebook back early?". Although it is fine to pack up your pit area, we discourage teams from leaving early.

• If your team departs early - we will not return engineering notebooks.
• If your team departs early - we will not send any awards to your team. Judges take great consideration and deliberation to select the teams for each award. It is not in line with Gracious Professionalism for a team not to be present to receive the trophy and recognition. If you depart early and your team receives an award, please communicate with me as to what qualifier your will be attending to receive your award. We will not mail any trophies.
  

If winter weather hits there are items we can do to accelerate the speed of the tournament. Please be respectful and stay to the end of closing ceremonies.

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4. A note from our Judge Advisors
The Judges continue to be impressed with your Gracious Professionalism and hard work.  Some mid-season feedback for you:

Notebooks are VERY important.  In the business world, these represent how your great ideas and hard work can "pay off".  

•  Help ensure Intellectual Property rights
•  The ability to replicate your success thereby taking it from a "one of a kind" success to something that can benefit the entire world
•  Record and review your amazing failures (some say "life's best teacher") and successes
•  Solidify the "Why" your team exists and how others can add to your team's success (Business Plan)

Here are some excellent resources for the above mentioned Notebook, as well as fundraising.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/first-fundraising-toolkit#!

Fundraising has important aspects:

•   Funds provide you options (more teams, fancier robot, awesomer team outfits and bling, more reach to your outreach, etc.)
•   Communicating about your needed funds can be an awesome conversation about FIRST:  1) how FIRST benefits you, the team, the community, etc; 2) What a local business can do to contribute (Mentor, Sponsor, Host events, Hire Interns, ...)
• Practicing/honing your communication skills (once you've made up your mind, you then need to convince others)
• A guide to help you with fundraising can be found using the Light Up! Iowa "Securing Funding Brochure"

Business Plans can provide the "why".  Why is the source for Inspiration.  This gentleman, ethnographer and leadership expert, shares the concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2SEPoQEgqA

Congrats Beta #3550 | Planning Ahead for FTC 2013-2014

Hello, teams!

Again, fantastic "Ring it Up" Season!

A few items for you today and many ask for your action.

1. Congrats to Beta, #3550 & Combustible Lemons #5466
2. Rockwell Collins grants are now open!

3. Interested in Hosting an Event in 2013-2014?

4. Save the Date: Coach & Volunteer workshop August 5-9, 2014

5. Changes for Method of Payment beginning 2013-2014

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1. Congrats to Beta #3550 & Combustible Lemons #5466
A HUGE congratulations out to Team #3550, Beta winner of the 2013 Inspire Award at the FTC World Championship!

A team that wins the Inspire award is recognized as representing the core values of FIRST and Gracious Professionalism to the fullest, has a competitive robot, communicates effectively with teams, businesses, and one another, exemplifies the spirit of discovery and science, and exceeds the expectations for all other awards!
To put this in familiar terms for Iowa, this is the equivalent of Shawn Johnson winning the Gold medal in the Olympics!

The Combustible Lemons, Team #5466, did an excellent job representing Iowa as well. They were picked during the Alliance Selection in the Edison Division.

Check out the wrap-up video!

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2. Rockwell Collins FTC grants are now open!

During the FIRST World Championship, we were very excited to hear that Rockwell Collins has committed to another 3-year support of FTC! They are starting right now, with team grant support for 2013-2014!

• Teams eligible for these grants must have an affiliation with a school or 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (for example, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club) and be located in the state of Iowa.
• Only two Rockwell Collins grants per organization.
• If "Ring It Up" was your rookie year, you are eligible to apply for a $275 Rockwell Collins grant!
• If you had one team last year and had a large amount of student interest and are considering starting a second FTC team, this "new" team would be eligible for the Rockwell Collins Rookie Award.

Grant recipients must agree to the following:

• Teams will consist of 5-10 members between the ages of 14 and 18.
• The team will meet at least weekly throughout the season.
• Coaches will participate in a training session for coaches.
• The teams will participate in a tournament, which may be a regional or championship event.
• The coach will be responsible for managing the team and participating in a post-season evaluation.

For more information, including the application, please visit the Rockwell Collins FIRST Website.

**If you know of an organization who would be interested in starting a rookie team for 2013-2014, they are also eligible! Please forward this information!

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3. Interested in Hosting an Event for 2013-2014?

We are seeking teams who are interested in hosting a scrimmage, workshop or qualifier tournaments for 2013-2014!
If you are interested in hosting either a workshop, scrimmage or qualifier, complete the Host Event Form.

Requirements for hosting a scrimmage or workshop include the following:
1) About 4 hours for the event - not including set-up or tear down.
2) Hosts provide own field & necessary field electronics.
3) Hosts recruit teams, and accept registrations. Teams are not to be charged registration fees.
4) Hosts can arrange lunch/concessions and sell items to teams attending.
5) Hosts recruit local volunteers to help with event.

Hosting a qualifying tournament requires the following:
1) Facility would be available for 12 hours on the day of the event. (This does not include set-up for night before.)
2) Qualifying tournaments require 2 competition fields and 1 practice field, for a total of 3 fields.
Note: Many FTC teams have field perimeter and tiles, some also have electronics and tape for a field. It is up to the event host to coordinate the fields and items associated with fields. FTC-Iowa will not be providing field items.
3) Teams will be assigned to the tournament during the one-week registration time. Hosts agree to accept these teams. Hosts will receive a portion of the registration fees.
4) Hosts recruit local volunteers to help with event. The key volunteers will attend a multi-day workshop in August in Coralville, Iowa.
5) Hosts will be required to provide food for volunteers at event.

6) Host teams receive an automatic bid to the next level of competition.

If you are interested in hosting either a workshop, scrimmage or qualifier, complete the Host Event Form.

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4. Save the Date: Coach & Volunteer workshop August 5-9, 2013

In August, 2013, we are planning a multi-day workshop for coaches and volunteers.

• Location: Marriott Hotel, Coralville, Iowa
• Date: August 5-9, 2013 We may be staggering sessions, but please hold this week on your calendar.
• Who should attend: The coaches/mentors who were new to FTC for 2012-2013 and rookie coaches for 2013-2014. Also key volunteers of the organizations who will be hosting qualifiers. These folks include: Field Tech Advisor - FTA;Head Referee;Judge Advisor;Lead Inspector;Scorekeeper;Volunteer Coordinator; and Event Coordinator
• Cost: We are trying to get some corporations to fund the conference and/or pay stipends to teachers who attend. However, please plan on finding your own lodging accommodations.
• Registration will be open on May 15, 2013. You will be able to find it on the FTC-Iowa website.

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5. Changes for Method of Payment beginning 2013-2014.

To help you plan ahead - For the 2013-2014 FTC Season, we will only be accepting credit cards. We will no longer be able to invoice schools/organizations for the tournament registration fees.

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Thank you all!
Rebecca

FTC-Iowa: Changes are Underway

Wow! What a season for "Ring It Up!" All of the FTC teams, coaches, mentors and volunteers should be very proud of an awesome season.

Some Iowa stats:

• 135 registered FTC Teams -- that's over double from last year!
• 11 Qualifying Tournaments -- 2 were "double-doubles" and two were on the same day but 10 miles apart.
• Nearly 1,350 students impacted through FTC in Iowa
• Over 350 Iowa volunteers contributed to one or more events during the "Ring It Up" Season.

There are many changes for the 2013-2014 Season, so please read the following very carefully.

1. Light Up! Iowa Initiative
2. 2013-2014 Tournament Implementation: League Play
3. FTC Iowa STEM Scale-Up for 2013-2014
4. Administrative Changes for FTC-Iowa
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1. Light Up! Iowa Initiative
Now that the competition season is over, students and coaches are probably wondering "What can we do during the off-season?" Build the relationships with companies and organizations in your community – like your dentist/doctor offices, grocery stores, hardware store, banks, auto repair shops, or any organization you may have a personal relationship with. 

• Build the relationship and promote FIRST.
• Connect the folks in community with FIRST.
• Tell them about your experiences and what you’ve been able to accomplish.
• Show them your robot.  Let them drive your robot.
• Sustain your team.

Over the past few months, we’ve been working with the folks at Rockwell Collins and FIRST to develop an initiative called Light Up! Iowa. The overall goal is to empower and equip the teams with the resources so they can make the connections within their community.

Light UP! Iowa – the first of its kind - will allow teams to access an online packet. This packet will give students and coaches a step-by-step guide to help teams seek and secure outside support. This packet includes tips and best practices of how to ask for support, a list of recommended sponsorship levels, and instructions of how to properly acknowledge the support when its been received.  

In addition to the online packet, with the support from Rockwell Collins, a case of FIRST LED light bulbs will be sent to every registered FTC team in Iowa.

Teams will be asked to take the light bulbs, as well as a marketing packet and use their personal contacts and to promote FIRST.

Spread the word. Sustain your team.
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2. 2013-2014 Tournament Implementation: League Play
For the 2013-2014 FTC Season, we will be implementing a new form of tournament style: League Play!  Although the exact details have not been determined, a few things that will be different:

• Events (a.k.a. Meets) will only be a few hours long -- not necessarily on an entire Saturday.
• Teams will be required to attend/compete in at least two meets.
• Meets are coordinated by teams for teams. Teams will be responsible for doing their own inspections -- either self inspection or other teams co-inspecting.

As for the boundaries of the leagues (which teams will be in which leagues), the tournament advancement (qualifiers or FTC-Iowa Championship) and the role of judging (via video submission and evaluated online) -- all of that will be finalized in the next few weeks/months. Stay tuned!
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3. FTC Iowa STEM Scale-Up for 2013-2014
On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 the Scale-Up programs for 2013-2014 were announced. FTC did not apply to be a scale-up for 2013-2014 for several reasons:
A) New Tournament Implementation: League Play -- there are a lot of things that need to be determined for next year and we will be using the number of ~200 teams. If we were to double to over 300 teams, it will be very difficult to implement League Play.
B) Administrative changes -- see item #4.

Will our 2012-2013 Scale-Up Funds be carried over to next season? Since October, 2012, we have communicated that the Scale-Up funds would not be carried over to next season. It was encouraged that your team spend 100% of the funds. Hopefully your team has purchased enough extra robot parts, a laptop, a router, and field equipment to be able eliminate many of the expenses for next year.

(Teams have until March 10th to submit receipts. If you need ideas on what to spend your funds on, please visit: FTC STEM Scale-Up website.)

With each team receiving a field perimeter and tiles, teams are prepared to host events (meets, workshops, scrimmages, etc) and introduce their community - and the younger students - to FTC. Be creative.

Will Rockwell Collins continue their support of FTC? Yes. They will still continue to fund rookie teams for 2013-2014 with a robot kit and 2nd year "returning teams" (rookies during 2012-2013 "Ring It Up") with the $275 FIRST Registration Fee. More information about this will be coming out in early summer.
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4. Administrative Changes for FTC-Iowa

Please read the special message from Rebecca Whitaker, FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner.