FIRST Technology Challenge

Growth in FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge is wonderful, it means we’re achieving our mission of changing the culture, it brings more students into the wonderful world of what’s possible with science and technology, and it attracts more tremendous volunteers and sponsors. Another thing we like about growth is it continually forces the evolution of the business model. There’s nothing like increased demand to keep everyone on their toes! Our FIRST Tech Challenge Super-Regionals were instituted over three years ago to address the growing number of Regional Championships, and the relatively smaller number of teams advancing to the next level. It solved that problem with great success as we head into year four of the Super-Regional format. This year, the dual Championship model is being instituted with the similar goal of offering more teams the chance to experience the highest levels of FIRST competition. The number of FIRST Tech Challenge teams competing at this highest level will double th

The “offseason” has traditionally been the time that FIRST and our community use to gear up for the next season. As we’ve grown the offseason seems to almost be a thing of the past. Offseason events, workshops, and fundraisers have taken the place of much of that downtime. I think that’s due to two things. First, I hope people are doing it because they like it. If not, I can’t imagine we’d have the 150,000 volunteers that participate in FIRST each year. Our community of teams and volunteers is one of the most amazing things about FIRST – and you’re all cut from the same cloth. No wonder you like hanging around together. Second, people are doing it because it matters. The mission of FIRST is imprinted in our hearts and minds. Inspiring the next generation of technology leaders does not apply to just certain groups. If we only inspired certain communities, races, or regions we’d do a dis-service to those omitted. Not only that, we’d do a larger dis-service to ourselves and the world in

Invite, Accept, or Youth Protection Program Screen Coaches” Congratulations!  You’ve started the process of creating a FIRST® Tech Challenge team for the 2016/2017 season. The next step is identifying coaches who will help organize your team, letting students experience all the fun and excitement of FIRST.  You will need a total of two coaches for each team. All you really need to be a great coach is the desire to help students experience the fun and excitement of hands-on STEM involvement. FIRST® Tech Challenge is a student driven program where coaches point the way, provide support and encouragement, and allow the magic to happen. Take the next step and identify those people who will help your students experience the fun and excitement of FIRST® Tech Challenge. If you need to invite a coach to your team: 1)      Log into your team dashboard at https://my.firstinspires.org/Dashboard/ 2)      Select the team in need of coaches and click on “Manage Team Contacts/Roster” 3)      Click