FIRST Technology Challenge

Did you get to participate in the inaugural Gear Up with FTC! FIRST Tech Challenge Virtual Summer Conference ? I learned so many new things my brain hurts. If you didn't get a chance to check in, here's a recap of what you missed. Follow the links to watch any of the sessions on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel. On Wednesday Kari Karwedsky from PTC talked about Shared Connections between the engineering field, PTC, and FIRST . Her topic was a great reminder that FIRST Tech Challenge is about more than just robots-there is a lot of practical, life learning that happens on and off the competition field! Maintaining the connection theme, 2014 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship Inspire Award winners The Bears joined us from Mexico to talk about FTC teams building international connections and practical team organization methods and tips, which will be especially useful for rookie teams starting to plan their season. Their high-energy presentation was followed by

Jim Carr started his FIRSTvolunteering career with FIRST LEGO League (FLL) as a coach in 2006. It wasn't long before he got bit by the FIRST bug and started volunteering in all FIRST programs. His initial experience with FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) was at the Delaware’s combined State Championship. After having just competed in the FLL competition, his son and team stayed to watch the FTC tournament. “We were interested and I talked to some of the coaches and it seemed like fun.” So he and his team made the move to FTC. With his FLL coaching experience behind him, he soon made the transition to volunteering with FTC. “…the FTC season was a lot longer and had many more events.  I was not sure about whether I was qualified.  I decided to try it.” And for that, we are ever grateful. He dived into volunteering with FTC, and as New Jersey FTC Partner Vince Frascella points out, “Rather than list his many roles, let us just say that Jim has stepped in to support NJ FTC whenever aske

The FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manual comes in two parts. Part I includes tournament information, awards, and robot rules. Part II covers the game and game rules. Part I for the 2014-2015 season is now available. All Teams should review the manual carefully to ensure a successful season. Any questions that might arise should be posted on the FIRST Tech Challenge forum . This year's Manual looks much like last years, but teams should do a thorough review of allowed parts, which change from year to year. In addition, there are two significant changes in this year's manual: The Control Award is now an official award and part of tournament advancement criteria The Advancement Criteria has been modified With less than two months to Kick-Off, we hope the Game Manual Part I has fueled your enthusiasm for the season ahead. Good luck Teams!

Kickoff is a mere two months away and that means until September 6 at 12 noon ET, we get to tantalize your curiosity and thirst for hints about this year's game . In case you are a newcomer, welcome, and here's a little background information. Each year, FIRST Tech Challenge releases a new game that presents teams with fresh engineering and design challenges.  We keep the game secret until our Kickoff on the first Saturday in September.  The Kickoff happens online, with the release of the game animation and season materials, and also at a growing number of live Kickoff events in your regions . Beware the red herring! While the game is secret, we do like to have a little fun with it here on the blog and over on our social media accounts.  You may have seen this alluded to when people ask whether a certain post or comment is a "game hint."  From now until Kickoff, assume that each blog, tweet , facebook post contains a hint alluding to what the game is going t

We know you are hankering for more information about World Championship in St. Louis in 2015 . We're hard at work on the details and eagerly planning to ensure our Teams have the best experience possible, so we can't give out too much at this time. Of course, we all know that FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships will be held at the St. Louis Union Station , so we can tell you a little bit more about that. In case you haven't been to Union Station, here's a peek at the venue. Opened in 1894, Union Station was originally a train station to bring under one roof all the various entryways via train into St. Louis. The exterior of the building (top picture) is historic, with beautiful architecture modeled after a walled medieval French city - turrets and stained glass and bricks and fountains and statues, oh my! The interior is equally as majestic, carefully restored and renovated to honor the building's history as a train station while making it accommodate the 21s