STEM Scale-Up Grants | Upcoming Non-Tournament Events | Social Media

Hello!
Just a quick note..

1. STEM Scale-Up Grants - DEADLINE: Friday, Sept. 14 (Tomorrow)
If you have not already applied, please apply for the STEM Scale-Up Grants. More information, including the registration form, can be found at www.iowastem.org

A description of the FTC STEM Scale-Up funds can be found at: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/ftc-stem-scale-up
Selected applicants will receive notices on or before Oct. 1, 2012.

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2. Non-Tournament Events
Registration for the 2012/2013 Non-Tournament Events can be found at: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/event-calendar
All non-tournament events are FREE.

This calendar is updated frequently, so check it often.

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3. We are Social!
Like us on Facebook: "FTC Iowa"
Follow us on Twitter: "ftc_iowa"
Or add us to your Circles G+: "FTC Iowa"
Don't forget our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/


Time for us to "Ring It Up!"

Ring It Up! | STEM Scale-Up | Register Your Team

Welcome to RING IT UP!

1. Celebration of STEM & FIRST - Wrap-Up
Thank you to those coaches, mentors, students, and volunteers who attended the Celebration of STEM & FIRST yesterday at the Iowa Memorial Union. We estimated there were between 400 - 450 attendees. We had great workshops and a excellent line-up of special dignitaries (Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov Reynolds, Univ. of Iowa president Sally Mason, Iowa State President Steven Leath, JP Besong from Rockwell Collins and FIRST Program Officer Ken Johnson) who really promoted the importance of STEM and FIRST. Our very own Jerry Lalor did a great job introducing the game.

Check out the special video message from Dean Kamen: www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge  (videos page)

From the feedback I received yesterday morning, there were no issues of heavy traffic and parking could be easily found nearby. For those wondering about the venue, we had plenty of room to accommodate our large crowd and could have accommodated even 200 more. So, thank you to those who attended!!

2. STEM Scale-Up - Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14
FRIDAY, Sept. 14 is the application deadline for STEM Scale-Up. Remember to apply at www.iowastem.org
Are you curious as to what is included or covered by the STEM Scale-Up funds for FTC?
The entire listing, of what the package includes, can be found on our website at:
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/ftc-stem-scale-up

We are unsure of this funding for next year, so if you are on the fence, this is the time to apply for funding.

Applicants will receive notification on or before Oct. 1, 2012.

3. Register Your Team for Ring It Up!
If you are a returning team from last year, or if you have received a Rockwell Collins FTC grant, please register your team. It is important that we get all of the teams registered as soon as possible so we have an accurate number to plan out our qualifier events. Teams can register at https://my.usfirst.org/ftc/tims/site.lasso

Exciting news for FTC-Iowa | Upcoming Events | Call to host an FTC event | 2012-2013 Qualifiers

What a busy summer! Lots of important information to share, so please read through all of the items. (There are a lot of links, so please save this note so you can refer to the links in the future.)

1. Exciting news for FTC-Iowa

2. Upcoming Events -- Mark Your Calendar
a) Kick-Off Celebration
b) Call to host a 2012-2013 FTC Event
c) 2012-2013 Qualifier Tournaments

3. Changes for 2012-2013

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1 Exciting news for FTC-IowaOn Monday, July 16, the FTC program was selected as one of the State of Iowa Scale-Up Programs! This is HUGE!  (Thank you to all of you who wrote letters of endorsement/support for the Scale-Up application.)

What does being a scale-up mean? To put it simply, ALL students of Iowa will have access to FTC. ALL Regions of Iowa, (regardless of location, population density, district size, etc.) will be promoting FTC, and there will be financial assistance to help with the expansion of FTC. (More details to come soon!)

The hard work of getting to be recognized is over. Now, we NEED YOUR HELP as we recruit more rookie teams. Please promote FTC in your neighboring communities and school districts. Spread the word of FTC - Recruit more teams, volunteers, mentors, etc. We need to get 100 teams by Sept. 8th.

Resources for teams to get started:

• Rockwell Collins grants are still open. New teams, or teams who were rookies last season, can still apply. Complete the Rockwell Collins grant application.
  
• FTC Team Resources 
• FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner (ftc.iowa@gmail.com) -- Please if you know of anyone who is interested, encourage them to email us.
• YOU! Current teams, volunteers and supporters are THE BEST way to promote and support FTC.

Also, if you haven't already done so, please register your team via TIMS.

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2. Upcoming Events -- Mark Your Calendar!!
The plans for the 2012-2013 FTC Season are well-under way. We have several events already scheduled on the books.

a) Kick-Off Celebration
 The 2012-2013 FTC Season will be Kicked-Off on Saturday, Sept. 8th at Vinton-Shellsburg High School (210 W. 21st Street, Vinton, Iowa). Similar to previous years, we will be having workshops in the morning (10am-12noon), Lunch (12noon-1pm), and then the Game Reveal. We do ask that all interested attendees to please register.

b) Call to host 2012-2013 FTC Events
We are currently seeking venues who are willing to host events (scrimmages, workshops) for the 2012-2013 FTC Season. Thank you to those who have already applied to host an event! If you are interested in hosting an event, please complete the 2012-2013 FTC Host Event form.
The form will ask for up to five potential dates, desired time, capacity, a lunch plan, and local volunteers.

c) 2012-2013 Qualifier Tournaments
Qualifier Tournament for the 2012-2013 Season are set! You can find a list of the Qualifiers on the FIRST Website -- click on "What FIRST Teams & Events are In My Area" -- narrow the search to "FTC", "Events", and "Iowa".

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3. Changes for 2012-2013A few changes for the 2012-2013 FTC Season:a) Many events will be on the same day. This includes workshops, scrimmages and qualifiers. The idea behind this is so we can have many events throughout the state to serve as many teams.

b) Remote Mentoring.
To help support and grow teams in all areas of Iowa, we have decided to implement on the concept of remote mentoring. Teams will be able to get help via the new technology of Google+ Hangouts. (Attached is a pdf to learn more about how to get started with Google Hangouts.) Please keep in mind, Google+ Hangouts is a new technology, so there may be some glitches. If you are interested or in need of remote mentoring, please fill out the Remote Mentor form.

c) Videos for Judges.
In order for the judges to learn more about the teams, we are encouraging teams to submit a 2 minute video one week prior to the qualifiers they plan to attend. Although this is not required (highly encouraged) for teams at the qualifiers, it will be required for any team who advances to the FTC-Iowa Championship. Benefits: Judges will learn more about the teams prior to the event; Teams will have the opportunity to put anything they want to in the video;  Reduces the "gosh, I wish we would have said/done this..."; Allows teams to show their creativity, their outreach, etc. Yes, we understand teams are usually stressed and worried about the function of the robot in the days/weeks before the competition, but the video will be a tremendous help at the competitions.

The process is still being finalized, but more than likely teams will be asked to upload videos to YouTube. Teams will have the opportunity to make the video private or public.

Thank you all and have a fantastic summer!

Until Kick-Off,
The FTC-Iowa team

Just a quick note:

1. World Championship Wrap-Up
At the end of April, the FTC World Championships were held in St. Louis. Feel free to view some of the pictures, and see if you recognize anyone or any teams. http://georgemarchant.zenfolio.com/2012firstchampionshipall or check out the FIRST World YouTube Channel for Wrap-Up: http://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTWorldTube

Congratulations, Iowa teams #458, #3549, #3550, #5466 on a job well done! 


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2. Rockwell Collins Team Grants
Rockwell Collins has graciously agreed to help support FTC teams starting up, or who were rookie teams during the 2011-2012 Season, via team grants.

These grants are specifically targeted for the rookie teams (new to FTC for the 2012-2013 season) or returning teams (rookies during the 2011-2012 season). Grants amounts can range to cover the FIRST Registration cost or the purchase of the kit-of-parts. Please apply early, as there are a limited number of these grants.

Eligible teams will agree to the following:

• Teams must be located in Iowa;
• Teams must have been rookies during the 2011-2012 season (team numbers with 5xxx) or will be rookie teams during the 2012-2013 Season;
• Rockwell will only sponsor two teams per location;
• Teams consist of 5-10 team members between the ages of 14-18;
• Teams will meet weekly throughout the season;
• Coaches will participate in a training session;
• Teams will participate in at least one tournament, either a qualifier or a championship event; and
• Coach will be responsible for managing the team and participating in a post-season evaluation.

For more information, including how to apply for a grant, please visit: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Our_Company/Corporate_Responsibility/Community_Overview/FIRST/FIRST_Grants.aspx

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3. Request to Host Events

Starting with the 2012-2013 Season, FTC-Iowa would like to offer as many events in a variety of communities throughout Iowa. If you are interested in hosting an event (workshop, scrimmage or skills driving event), we invite you to complete the form at: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_03eLszkMM3vbXbC

A few things to keep in mind: 1) Please complete this form before June 1, 2012; 2) The locations of the Qualifier Tournaments have already been selected and they will begin Nov. 3rd; and 3) All scrimmage/workshop events will need to be held before Nov. 20, 2012.

Save the Date: FTC Kick-Off Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, in Vinton. More information, including times, will be released at a later date. (See attached invitation)
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4. 2012-2013 Registration is Open
Starting today, May 9, 2012, (at 12 noon EST) teams can register for the 2012-2013 FTC Season. HOWEVER, if you plan to apply for a Rockwell Collins Returning team grant, do not register with FIRST until you hear about the status of your application (typically every Friday), as you need to enter a code to activate your grant status. If you do not plan to get a Rockwell Collins grant, or if you coach a team not eligible for the Rockwell Collins grant, go ahead and register at www.usfirst.org

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5. MATRIX System
Beginning the 2012-2013 Season, teams will now have the option to integrate/use the new approved MATRIX system. Robots will be able to use TETRIX parts and MATRIX parts. For more information, please visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/ftc-expands-options-to-matrix-robotics-system


Have a great summer and we look forward to working with you for the 2012-2013 FTC Season.