09.27 Team Eblast

[Edit 10/1] Driver Hub Workaround l FREIGHT FRENZY Revealed  l  Event Readiness Form Needed  l  Grant Opportunities l  FiM Consent/Release Form l FiM FTC Event Info

[Edit 10/1] DRIVER STATION WORKAROUND for ANDROID 6.0, MOTO G phones
Version 7.0 of the Driver Station exposes a bug in Android 6.0 on Moto G series phones. This bug is fixed in Android 6.0.1; however, the last update for some Moto G series phones in some regions was Android 6.0. The bug manifests itself as a crash when attempting to switch to Control Hub pairing. The FIRST® Tech Challenge Technology Team has developed a workaround, labeled v7.0.1, for this problem specifically for this phone.

Teams using Moto G series phones as Driver Stations, running Android 6.0 with no option to upgrade to Android 6.0.1, should use FtcDriverStation-7.0.1-release.apk available through the REV Hardware Client or directly from the v7.0 release page on GitHub.

FREIGHT FRENZY REVEALED!

Thank you to our 12 FTC Kickoff Event hosts and their volunteers for getting our 2021-22 season off and running! Also, a thank you to REV Robotics and GOBILDA for providing equipment in support of the events. If your team enjoyed seeing their offerings or was a lucky recipient of REV or GOBILDA gear, please send them a shout-out via their social media channels.

Teams can order a partial or full set of FREIGHT FRENZY game elements directly from AndyMark, an official FIRST vendor.

ALL TEAMS: PLEASE SUBMIT AN EVENT READINESS FORM, DUE OCT. 1 

Please fill out the FiM FTC Event Readiness form linked below by Friday, October 1:

FiM Event Readiness Form (link)

This will provide the necessary information for FIM FTC to plan enough events, across event types, to service registered teams. FiM middle school FTC teams must be registered with FIRST HQ for the 2021-22 season in order to be placed in FIM FTC official events.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES!

Visit the GRANTS page of the FIM FTC website for all available grants.

1.  Ford Grant Application Open; deadline to apply is Oct. 1

From the Ford FIRST Board: Ford is reaching out to all FIRST in Michigan (FiM) FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST LEGO League-Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League-Explore teams this year to invite you to apply for Ford sponsorship for the 2021-2022 season!

To qualify for sponsorship: 

All applications must be submitted by Friday, October 1st at 11:59 pm. 

The Ford FIRST Board will let all teams know if they have received Ford sponsorship by October 15th and the funds will be distributed through FIM. 

For those teams who have applied for sponsorship in the past please note that this is a different application aimed to have fewer steps and streamline our process. 

If you have any questions or concerns through the application process please do not hesitate to email us at ffirstk8@ford.com.

From everyone on the Ford FIRST Board, we hope you have a fun and safe start to the school year and we are looking forward to hearing from you. 

2. REV Team Grant – deadline extended to Oct. 5

For the 2021-2022 FREIGHT FRENZY season, REV Robotics is awarding $30,000 in total FIRST Tech Challenge sponsorships. As the excitement for kickoff continues, don’t forget to apply! The deadline has been extended for new and returning teams and you now have until October 5, 2021 to submit your applications. Apply at this link: https://www.revrobotics.com/team-sponsorship/?mc_cid=fdc57a2e7d&mc_eid=521cdabc96.

3.  Pitsco FTC Spare Parts Giveaway – ends in January

Beginning now and running through January, FTC teams can sign up to be entered in biweekly giveaways – that’s one giveaway every other week – where we’ll pick three lucky teams each round to receive free spare parts packs.

Teams need to enter only once to be considered eligible for the entire season! We’ll announce winners on our social channels, so be sure to follow us!

MDE FIRST ROBOTICS STATE GRANT OPENING SOON

The MDE FIRST Robotics state grant has been approved! The grant will likely open for application in late Sept. Funding for public and non-public schools is included! Teams must be officially registered for the 2021-2022 season in order to be eligible for the grant. The grant award will once again have two components – a team grant plus a coach stipend. Stipends are capped at one per building, per program level.

As usual, the school/district’s Level 5 employee (superintendent, principal, finance) applies on behalf of all the FIRST teams in their school/district. Payout is made directly to the school through their monthly school aid payment. Teams work with their school/district to determine a method to draw on those funds i.e. submit receipts for reimbursement. More info soon!

FiM CONSENT/RELEASE FORMS ON SMARTWAIVER

The FIRST in Michigan (FiM) Consent/Release form is available to be signed electronically via SmartWaiver.

FIRST in Michigan Consent/Release form links on SmartWaiver:

About the FIRST in Michigan Consent/Release form:

  • The FIRST in Michigan Consent/Release (FiM C/R) form is a separate and additional form from the FIRST HQ Consent/Release form.
  • All team participants (Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 and team members) must have an electronically signed FIRST in Michigan Consent/Release Form on file before their event date. This is in addition to the FIRST HQ Consent/Release Form.
  • Visit the EVENT READINESS site page for more info regarding the form.
2021-22 EVENT ROLL OUT

FIRST in Michigan FTC is anticipating that we will be able to deliver our traditional physical event roll out for the 2021-22 season. If there are teams that can only operate in the remote event format, FiM FTC will organize remote events to support those teams. The timeline for any remote events will be after our traditional format competition season and will likely occur in the January-February timeline.

EVENTS TO DATE

Visit the FIRST in Michigan FTC website’s EVENTS page for the list of 2021-2022 fall qualifiers/tournaments. Things are still subject to change so check back from time to time.

EVENT HOSTS

We still have open fall event hosting opportunities available. Additional events will give teams the opportunity to compete in more than one qualifier. Teams or organizations interested in hosting a 2021-22 FiM FTC official event, please email tammy@firstinmichigan.org with your interest!

EVENT REGISTRATION OPENS 10/6

First round event registration will open up on October 6. Visit the EVENT REGISTRATION page of the FiM FTC website for details.

SAFETY AT EVENTS
All traditional (physical) events this season will be adhering to their local area governance regarding COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing masks, temperature checks, gathering size constraints, etc. as applicable. Respecting and observing these additional event safety protocols will allow us to come together. They are in line with our usual safety protocols of wearing ANSI certified safety glasses and closed-toe shoes, safe usage and handling of tools and equipment, and even yelling “ROBOT” when moving robots through crowded halls at events. We do these things to keep ourselves and each other safe. It is Gracious Professionalism in its truest form.
For those that prefer not to be on-site at a physical event, teams have the option to participate in the remote event path. Fall events will be live-streamed and viewable through the FIRST in Michigan Twitch channel.
LEAGUE PLAY
If there are a group of FTC teams in your area interest in implementing league play, reach out to me at tammy@firstinmichigan.org and we can get the discussion going. For example, the South-Central FTC League is forming this season with teams located in Washtenaw, Jackson, Eaton, and Ingham counties. The OCCRA Oakland County Schools League will also be resuming this season.

Review the linked google doc that contains an Overview of FiM FTC League Play (link) to learn more about the structure of league play. The league model was created to allow teams a low risk way to make bold design choices and improve their robot over time through iterative play. The league structure also further strengthens the culture of community and sharing that is intrinsic to FIRST.

Indicate your team’s interest in participating in League play via the FIRST in Michigan FTC League Membership Form. If there are enough interested near area teams and a willing League Organizer, we can take the next steps to get the league up and running! 

SEASON REGISTRATION

The 2021-22 FTC season registration is open! Welcome to both our new and returning teams. For those teams re-engaging with FTC after a COVID-induced hiatus year, we’re so happy to have you back on board! Use this handy reference sheet for an overview of all FIRST in Michigan program offerings for both competition teams and Class Packs: FIRST in Michigan Overview of Programs. Visit the FIRST in Michigan FTC RUN A TEAM website page for information on a variety of team-related topics.

Returning Teams (veterans) – Returning teams register with their existing team number. Check the MI Archive FTC Team List (tab 1 & 2) for a list of historical team numbers.

  • Annual season registration is holding steady at $275. This is paid to FIRST HQ through your Team Dashboard.
  • Take care of “Outstanding Tasks” on your Dashboard i.e. update your Team Profile, electronically sign the season’s FIRST Consent/Release form, make sure your FIRST Youth Protection Screening is up to date, etc.
    • If you get a “Registration is Closed” error message, it’s likely because a field on the Team Profile needs to be updated. To resolve:
      • Click “Pending Tasks”.
      • Check and update the team information and save changes.
      • Contact number for FIRST HQ FTC at (603) 666-3906 with any issues.
  • Update team contacts – Remember to have matriculating team contacts invite their replacements before moving programs.
  • Sales Tax Exemption Form upload – In the “Team Finance” section of the Dashboard, you can upload your affiliated entity’s Sales Tax Exemption form. Things to note:
    • Make sure it’s less than 4 years old per the date on your entity’s form.
    • Section 1 – Type of Purchase: Put an “X” in “B. Blanket Certificate” box
    • Vendor’s Name & Address – Must be listed as FIRST, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101.
    • Section 2 – Limited to the following: Put an “X” in box 2 and list “Registration fees and STEM materials”
    • Section 3: Put an “X” in box 9.
  • Veteran Team Registration Guide – contains screenshots of the process.

New Teams (rookies) – FIRST HQ once again as their FTC Rookie Team Grant available! This grant works with the FIRST in Michigan FTC Rookie Team Grant to 100% cover a newly forming FTC team’s first season registration fee and reusable kit of parts purchase.

  • Start the team registration process but DO NOT PAY for anything yet!
  • Apply for the FIRST FTC HQ Rookie Team Grant. Apply for this grant using your temporary team number which starts with “2021”.
  • Rookie Team Registration Guide – contains screenshots of the process.
  • 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 then update it at a later time.
  • FiM FTC Rookie Grant specifics:
    • All past team numbers out of a given school must be registered for the current season before a newly forming team is eligible for the grant.
    • New teams must apply for the FIRST HQ FTC Rookie Team Grant first.
    • Visit the GRANTS page on the FIRST in Michigan FTC website for details.
PROGRAM INFORMATION

To learn more about the FIRST in Michigan Progression of Programs, visit our FIRST in Michigan PK-12 Team/Class Pack Overview Guide.

Links to program information on the FIRST in Michigan (FiM) and FIRST HQ websites:

  • FTC teams are capped at 15 team members.
  • In Michigan, FTC is a middle school program with teams comprised solely of students in middle school grades.
  • Run a Team – 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
  • Team Eblast Archive
  • FIRST FTC HQ Blog – latest program announcements