2020-21 Team Participant Registration Requirements 

All registered team participants regardless of the team’s chosen FTC engagement option (remote event, FTC Innovation Challenge, FTC/FRC or FTC/FTC collaboration) must satisfy all “event readiness” criteria. This entails completing FIRST HQ and FIRST in Michigan participant registration requirements.

There are two different Consent/Release forms required:

1. FIRST HQ Consent/Release form is filled out via the participant’s FIRST Account accessed through https://www.firstinspires.org/ (top right “Register / Login”.
2. FIRST in Michigan Consent/Release form which can now be filled out electronically through Smart Waiver. There is a Spanish version available as well.

Youth team members:

• All youth team members must register with FIRST HQ through the Youth Registration System.
  • This process includes the ability for the parent/guardian to electronically sign the FIRST HQ Consent/Release form.
• Must ALSO complete the FIRST in Michigan Consent and Release Form electronically.
  • Spanish version: FIRST in Michigan Consent and Release Form (Spanish).

Coaches and mentors:

• Each team is required to have a Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and Lead Coach/Mentor 2 listed on the Team Dashboard.
  • Coaches and mentors register with FIRST HQ through the FIRST Dashboard.
  • This process includes the ability to electronically sign the FIRST HQ Consent/Release form.
  • Both Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 must complete the FIRST Youth Protection Policy (YPP) background screening process.
• Must ALSO complete the FIRST in Michigan Consent and Release Form electronically
  • Spanish version: FIRST in Michigan Consent and Release Form (Spanish).

On an exception-only basis: We recognize that not all teams have the necessary internet access to complete the online registration process.

• Team Lead Coach/Mentor 1 or 2 may request a paper copy form of both the FIRST and FIRST in Michigan consent and release forms from their FIRST in Michigan program director.
• Per FIRST HQ, once signed, the only approved methods for the collection of these forms is to either drop them off in person or mail them first-class to your FIRST in Michigan program director. Scans, pictures, emailing of completed forms is strictly prohibited per the FIRST Data Protection Policy.
• Please allow extra time for mailing to ensure that your forms will be received and processed by FIRST in Michigan in advance of your team’s event.

FIRST FTC Innovation Challenge

Reminder to teams who are participating in the FIRST FTC Innovation Challenge as their chosen engagement option, the following is due by March 4:

• Solution brief description (10-word limit)
• Executive summary. Think of this summary as a very brief overview; it does not mean the team needs to have all of the FIRST Innovation Challenge figured out! On the contrary, because the information in the executive summary is only reviewed (not judged), it is expected that teams expand and iterate upon the solution between the submission deadline and interview.
  • Please describe the problem/opportunity the team is focusing on (200-word limit).
  • Please describe how the team proposes to solve the problem/opportunity (200-word limit).
  • What technology the team used (or planning to use) in the design or solution development? (This does not have to be a comprehensive list but will help align any specific technical expertise a judge may have to the judging group.) (100-word limit).

As this engagement option is 100% managed by FIRST HQ, please refer questions to ftcteams@firstinspires.org.

ULTIMATE GOAL Remote Events

Event Resources:

• List of Events: http://firstinmichigan.us/FTC/events/
• Remote Event Process and Resources:  http://firstinmichigan.us/FTC/remote-event-resources/
  • FIRST in Michigan will be adopting the FIRST FTC “Fair Play” policy. More will be posted on above-linked page. Example of a policy point: A team participating in a given remote event must designate a match as “official” BEFORE the match begins and follow through with scoring/uploading that match’s result regardless of the match outcome (i.e. if the robot malfunctions). It is not “fair play” for a team to run multiple matches and just score/upload the six best ones as official matches for an event. Following the “fair play” policies will more closely represent traditional match conditions and provide an even competition setting for all teams in the event.

Remote event date adjustments

• FiM FTC Remote Scrimmage rescheduled to Feb 28-Mar 6
• Howell Remote Qualifier rescheduled to Apr 25-May 1
• Fruitport Remote Qualifier rescheduled to May 2-May 8

2nd Round FTC Event Confirmations

3rd Round FTC Event Registration & Scrimmage Sign Up

Events will open up for 3rd round play on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00AM. Additionally, interested teams can sign up to participate in a 24 team scrimmage occurring on Feb. 28-March 6. The main intent of the scrimmage is to allow us to test the remote event rollout prior to beginning our official qualifiers.

As some teams just received the “green light” to meet and build – if your team does not yet have an assigned 1st round event, fill out the form and email tammy@firstinmichigan.org with your request. Please include your team number in all correspondence.

Teams that would like the opportunity to play a 2nd/3rd time and/or sign up for the scrimmage can use the form linked below. Participating in more than one qualifier or the scrimmage is optional for teams. This form will close at 5:00AM on Feb. 18 for updating and will reopen at 7:00AM.

Teams  2nd/3rd Round Event and Scrimmage Registration form (link).

• Participating in more than one qualifier is optional for teams.
• A team’s “3rd round” qualifier could chronologically occur before a team’s “1st and 2nd round” qualifier.
• 3rd round qualifier events are populated on a first come-first served basis until an event’s capacity is reached.
• The list of events on the form will only include the events that still have open spots or that are accepting waitlist teams.
• When a spot opens up at an event with a waitlist, the first team on the waitlist for that event will be offered the spot. Note that there is usually not a lot of lead time to this notification.
• Teams will be prompted to register their ranked preferences. The more choices are given, the more likely the team will be able to be placed in a 3rd round event. Providing limited choices could result in a team not being placed in a 3rd qualifier.
• Confirmed event assignments will be posted on the MI FTC Team List.

2nd Session: Feb. 17 at 7:00PM