11.02.18 Team Eblast

Event Information l MDE FIRST Robotics State Grant deadline Nov. 8
EVENT PARTICIPATION
Our 2018-19 fall competition season begins this weekend with our week 1 events! A HUGE thank you to our event hosts who’ve been busily preparing to host our teams!!
The MI Team List includes all confirmed team events. Reminder that team will not see their confirmed events in their Team Dashboard.
A team‘s presence is expected at the events where they’ve been confirmed.  A late withdrawal from a confirmed event causes issues (planning and financial) for the host and reflects negatively on the team. As competition is a requirement of teams accepting FIRST, FIRST in Michigan, MDE, and/or sponsor specific grants; withdrawing from an event could impact grant awards. Remember, feeling “not ready” is usual – group support is available at the event!
Some events offer Friday load-in/early inspections. This is a great way to ease the Saturday morning “crunch”. Note that event set up occurs on Friday late afternoon through evening so it’s possible that the event will look “not ready” when teams arrive on site on Friday. Help is always appreciated!
FTC events start early on Saturday with teams needing to pass Robot/Field Inspections and cycle through their assigned judging timeslot within the 7:30-10am timeframe (est.). Teams should plan to be on site Saturday right when doors open. Check the agenda of your specific event for the roll out of the day.
EVENT INFORMATION
Visit the FIRST in Michigan FTC website for the latest event information! Click on the EVENTS menu option for a list of the season’s competitions. Each event has a link on this site page that leads to general event information. On the right sidebar of an event specific page is a link called “EVENT DETAILS”. Click on this link for site specific information like how to remit the $100 event registration fee, access site maps,check out food options like lunch pre-orders, etc.
Refer to the What to Expect at an Event guide for a typical event rollout and tips for a good event experience.
Coaches – FIRST in Michigan eblasts only go to the Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 for your team. Please share event specific information with the families of your team members.
EVENT PAPERWORK
Teams need to turn in TWO Consent/Release forms at every event where a team participates. A Team Roster is required as well.

A team roster is required to be turned in at event check-in.

See http://firstinmichigan.us/FTC/resources/ under “EVENT PAPERWORK” for Consent/Release form links and acceptable roster formats.

VISITING EVENTS

FIRST events are free and open to the general public! If you’re a new team, visiting an event is a great way to meet area teams, see the game in action, and experience our FIRST FTC culture. A list of events can be found here: http://firstinmichigan.us/FTC/events/.

Volunteering at an event is a great way to see the program from ‘behind the scenes”. Many FTC event roles do not require any specialized skills or training. To sign up to volunteer: Volunteer Registration Step by Step Guide.

SAFETY GLASSES

Safety glass expectations at events:

Instilling a culture of safety is a value that every individual in the FIRST community must embrace as we pursue FIRST’s mission and vision. FIRST in Michigan FTC has adopted safety as a core value of the program.

Per Game Manual 1 > Tournament Rules > T15 – All Team members, coaches, and their guests must wear ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses while in the Pit or Competition Area. Prescription glasses with ANSI Z87.1 approved commercial off the shelf side shields are also allowed.

Teams are expected to have and bring their own safety glasses – enough for each of their team members and mentors in attendance at the event. Team members and mentors are expected to wear their safety glasses (over their eyes) at all times while in the pit area and on the competition field.

The safety glass tables found at the entrance to the pit areas at events are for guest and visitor use only. Not for teams.

EVENT TIMES

Teams need to be on site at events in the 7:00-7:30am timeframe. Judging can begin as early as 7:30am. Check your event’s agenda found on the FIRST in Michigan FTC website page for the event. Even if your team checked-in/completed Inspections on Friday (where applicable), the team still needs to be on site at the event by the stipulated time. If your team is running late, please call/email your Event Coordinator. The Event Information page for the event contains their contact information.
EVENT SPOTS AND ADVANCEMENT
Wait List – All of our events have a wait list. As teams earn advancement spots at earlier qualifiers, some choose to relinquish their next qualifier spot in order to give a wait listed team a 2nd play opportunity. Note that there is no expectation that an advancing team must relinquish their 2nd qualifier spot – but it is much appreciated when they do. If a spot opens at an event with a wait list – the next team in line on that event’s wait list, per the date/timestamp of their 2nd qualifier form, is offered the spot. The team has 24 hours, from when the note is sent, to graciously accept/decline the offered spot. Be aware that notice of an open spot can be very short.
Advancing teams that would like to relinquish their 2nd qualifier spot can email michiganftc@gmail.com with this request; a confirmation email will follow. Note that there has to be a wait list at the event in order for FIM FTC to release a team at a confirmed event. This is the only case where withdrawing from a confirmed event is without repercussion.
Each of our qualifying events advance a set number of teams to the FIRST in Michigan FTC State Championship. See the Event Process guide for information on advancement criteria, allocated number of advancement spots for each event, and general event process information. Game Manual 1 contains the FIRST FTC mandated Advancement Criteria.
States – FIRST in Michigan FTC States will be held at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek and will be a two day event, Dec. 14 and 15. Visit the Event Page for the agenda and event specific information.
The FIRST in Michigan FTC State Championship will advance 13 teams to the FIRST Championship-Detroit.
THE ORANGE ALLIANCE
FTC event scores and results from across the country are accessible via this amazing resource: https://theorangealliance.org/home. Live stream links, where available, will be accessible via The Orange Alliance (TOA). Live streaming is dependent upon the availability and quality of the internet service at the venue and cannot be guaranteed.
MI DEPT. OF EDUCATION STATE GRANT
Visit the GRANTS page of the FIRST in Michigan website for the list of applicants to date for the 2018-19 MDE FIRST Robotics State Grant. This list will be updated once per day.
One application is submitted that includes all of a school’s/district’s FIRST teams. There is a “page” within the application for team specific information.
The Step By Step Guide outlines the procedures for applying for this grant including all required information and documentation.
The deadline for submission of this grant is NOVEMBER 8, 2018 at 11:59pm.