FTC Engagement Options l MDE State Grant l Event Readiness l Events l Resource Updates l Registration Process
2020-21 FTC TEAM ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS
It is NOT TOO LATE to get your middle school FTC team going this season!
The FIRST in Michigan FTC season timeline has been expanded with official events beginning in January and extending out as needed. In addition, a smorgasbord of engagement options is available to teams.
Participation in any ONE OF THE FOUR FIRST in Michigan FTC sanctioned engagement options below meets the competition criteria for grants. Teams can participate in more than one option. The FTC team must be registered for the 2020-21 FIRST season to participate in these options.
OPTION 1: REMOTE COMPETITION
Participate in FTC ULTIMATE GOAL (remote version)
OPTION 2: VIRTUAL COMPETITION
Participate in the new 100% virtual FIRST Innovation Challenge presented by Qualcommn (FTC rollout).
OPTION 3: FTC/FRC IN ALLIANCE – Remote or Virtual
FTC team participates in one of the sanctioned FRC engagement options IN ALLIANCE with an affiliated FRC team.
OPTION 4: IN PERSON COMPETITION
Participate in FTC ULTIMATE GOAL (traditional version); this option is currently on hold.
Visit the EVENTS page of the FIRST in Michigan FTC website for details about the available engagement options. For engagement options across programs, visit the linked 2020-21 FIRST in Michigan Season Game Plans document.
It is recommended that teams work towards participating in a remote FTC competition but consider adding an additional engagement option as back up or as a way to engage more team members if physical build is limited.
In a year when so much has been taken away, let’s work together to keep our FTC students involved and moving forward. A gap year leaves a hole that is hard to fill. Our 8th graders deserve their leadership year. Our 7th/6th graders need to continue to acquire and hone their skills so that they can evolve and grow as leaders and innovators. Students need the inspiration and guidance of their coaches and mentors now more than ever. If your team is struggling to start, reach out and we’ll work a plan.
2020-21 MDE FIRST Robotics State Grant
The MDE FIRST Robotics state grant is open and accepting applications! There is funding for both public and non-public school affiliated teams. The grant will close on December 11 at 11:59pm. Visit the linked MDE State Grant Step-by-Step Guide for details on the application process. Teams MUST be registered with FIRST for the 2020-21 season in order to be eligible for the grant.
NOTE! On the MDE MEGS+ grant system, the grant title is now 99h.
Proposed funding levels are extraordinary!
Middle School FIRST Tech Challenge teams will get a maximum of:
- $4,000 Rookie
- $3,000 Returning teams
- PLUS $1,500 Coach Stipend (one per building, per program level)
*Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
In a season where team expenses will likely be lower than usual, these funds can enable teams to buy more parts to support individualized build, purchase extra tools, go towards an AndyMark perimeter/mats, pay for coach professional development ($500 per seat), explore FTC Class Pack, or provide seed money for next season.
Share this news with your administrations. Our Governor and legislators want your teams to stay engaged, new teams to form, and more students in our state involved in FIRST.
TEAM EVENT READINESS
Please fill out the form linked below so that we can assess and work towards accommodating teams with when/how they can “play” this season. A form is needed from ALL teams – both registered and not yet registered for the 2020-21 season.
Team Event Readiness form (link)
It additionally gives teams the opportunity to share their unique situation and challenges. As always, please reach out to me directly if you have questions or issues.
2020-21 FTC SEASON EVENTS
As previously stated, FIRST in Michigan FTC will move forward with the remote event rollout for official events beginning in January and extending out as needed. We will continue to monitor conditions to see if/when we can transition to traditional events. It’s too early to “call” the format of our spring (usually mid May) season.
Visit the remote event versions of Game Manual 1 and 2 for details on the remote event rollout. In addition, FIRST has created resources to help teams navigate the new remote event platform:
- Remote Team Resources Overview Blog
- Remote Team Resources Videos
- Remote Event Scoring for Teams Videos
- Scoring System – Team Guide
- Team Webinar Recordings
- How to Program a FIRST Tech Challenge Robot from Anywhere in the World
Visit the 11/04/2020 Team Eblast for an overview of the FTC Live/FIRST Remote Event systems and the work-in-progress FIM FTC event process.
FiM FTC RESOURCE UPDATES
The RUN A TEAM page on the FIRST in Michigan website addresses many program related FAQs. It has been updated with some new resources:
- Sales Tax Exemption Form upload process for FTC Storefront – new this season.
- Youth team registration process
- Registering coaches/mentors on your team
- COVID-19 season guidance
- Remote event resources
SEASON REGISTRATION PROCESS
The registration guides linked below contain info on establishing a FIRST Account, setting up a team profile, inviting contacts, applying for screening, accessing the Storefront, etc. with screenshots.
- RETURNING TEAMS (veterans) – remember to register using your existing team number. MI Archive FTC Team List (tab 1 & 2 contain a historical list of team numbers).
- Veteran Team Registration Guide – includes screenshots
- Update team contacts – Remember to have matriculating team contacts invite their replacements before moving programs.
- NEW TEAMS (rookies) – Grants are available that covers 100% of a newly forming team’s season registration fee and reusable robot kit of parts!
- Rookie Team Registration Guide – includes screenshots
- Team Name is a mandatory field when setting up the Team Profile. If your team does not have a name yet, just fill in TBD. You can update this field at a later time once a team name is chosen.
- Start the team registration process but DO NOT PAY for anything until applying for the FIRST FTC HQ Rookie Team Grant.
- Apply for this grant using your temporary team number which starts with “2020”.
- FIRST in Michigan FTC Rookie Team Grant is available to newly forming teams. Visit the GRANTS page on the FIRST in Michigan FTC website for details.
- All past team numbers out of a given school district must be registered for the current season before a newly forming team is eligible for the grant.
- Teams must apply for the FIRST HQ FTC Rookie Team Grant first.
- A similar grant is available for newly forming FLL-Challenge teams too! Email michiganfll@gmail.com for details.
- Rookie Team Registration Guide – includes screenshots
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Links to program information on the FIRST in Michigan (FiM) and FIRST HQ websites:
- Run a Team – BOOKMARK THIS PAGE! Addresses many FAQs
- Resources – Links to FIRST HQ resources, parts, and vendors, logos, etc.
- Grants – information will be updated as grants become available; check back periodically
- Events – FiM FTC event related information
- Team Eblast Archive
- FIRST FTC HQ Blog – latest program announcements
- FTC Curriculum – Free FIRST HQ developed curriculum; can be used as a stand-alone course or as a supplement to areas where the team needs extra support.
PROGRAM PARTICULARS
- Alignment: In Michigan, we run a slightly different progression of programs from FIRST national. In Michigan, FTC is a middle school only program with teams comprised solely of MI middle school aged/grade team members. Teams must be properly aligned in order to be eligible for FiM FTC grants and to participate in FIRST in Michigan FTC events.
- Team Size: FTC team size is capped at 15. Multiple teams out of a given school/organization are welcome and can be eligible for all grants. Please review grant requirements in the above linked doc.
- Team Eblasts. FIRST in Michigan FTC team eblasts (sent from michiganftc@gmail.com) are sent to the Team Administrator and Lead Coach 1 and 2 for each team. The eblast distribution list is pulled from the FIRST Team Registration System, per FIRST HQ protocol, so additional email addresses cannot be added to the FIRST in Michigan FTC eblast list. Coaches – please share team eblasts with your team members/families!
