Let's Get Learning!

Each season, FIRST Tech Challenge presents live "Ask an Expert" trainings for rookie and veteran teams. This year, the schedule is jam-packed, so we want to share some highlights:

New Technology Series
This four-part series will look closely at the new FTC Android-based technology and the various components, led by FTC teams, volunteers, and staff. Be sure to attend these live Google Hangouts on Air sessions and bring your questions (specific dates TBA):
  • A Look at the New Parts in late August - find out what each new item is and what it does.
  • App Inventor Overview in September - get a walk-through of the program and its capabilities.
  • Mounting, Prep, and Assembly in October - where should you put what and how? We'll tell you the best tips and tricks we have for adding the new technology to your robot.
  • Your Technology in Competition in November - how will this new technology affect competition? This session will help you be prepared for what to expect on the competition field this year.

Additional Live Sessions
Google Hangouts on Air allow teams the chance to get real-time answers to their questions, plus it records the session, so we try to offer several a season. In addition to the four New Technology sessions listed above, we will be offering live training on the following topics:
  • Java Programming
  • Preparing for Competition for Rookies 
  • PTC Creo
Recorded Training Videos
We've been cleaning up our resources this summer and that means we will be releasing new videos with current information and tons of useful suggestions for rookie and veteran teams, including:
  • PushBot Overview
  • Using the Question Box 
  • FTC Judging
  • Control Award Training
NEW! Tweet Chats
Are you on Twitter yet? This medium is a really fun way to get a lot of information quickly, and "chatting" is live posting using a specific hashtag on a chosen topic. We have done Tweet chats in collaboration with FIRST Alumni and Scholarships during their #FIRSTQA takeover in June, but this summer's Gear Up with FTC in the Classroom virtual conference was our first FTC Tweet Chat #GearUpFTC. In August, we'll team up with FIRST Lego League to discuss transitioning from FLL to FTC. Join us!

For more information and to access archived trainings, check out the FTC Ask an Expert webpage. For all things related to having a successful season, bookmark the FTC Game, Team Resources, and Mentor Resources webpages.

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