FIRST Technology Challenge

Have you been watching The Fosters on FreeForm *? The FIRST® community has a starring role this summer with both FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® Robotics Competition robots featured prominently in a STEAM-centered story line in an upcoming episode. But we don’t want to spoil anything. Why watch alone when you can throw a viewing party with your team? Here are 7 ideas for an awesome #omgrobots-themed viewing party for the episode airing August 15 th at 8/7c on FreeForm. 1. #makeitloud. Of course you want to bring your besties from your team, but look beyond the usual suspects to involve some new folks so they can get a taste of how amazingly fun FIRST can be. We bet your team has some great graphic design talent. Whether you go steampunk or ‘50s sci-fi, make sure your invitations reflect the main STEAM-y theme. 2. Gather plenty of chairs and/or cushions. There will be plenty of time to crouch in those crazy robot-building poses when your FIRST season starts. For now, g...

Listed below are all pages that FIRST ® Tech Challenge Teams may require both throughout their competition season, and during the off-season. Make sure to bookmark the pages you feel would best help you and your Team! If you still find that you require additional help, feel free to reach out to the FIRST ® team at ftcteams@firstinspires.org. Overview Pages FIRST ® Webpage www.firstinspires.org FIRST Tech Challenge main page www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc Regional Contacts Search Portal - Find your Regional FIRST Contact. http://www.firstinspires.com/node/2546 Game Materials - Includes all the season materials, including the Game Manuals, link to the Forum, Forum Answered Questions, Field instructions, and link to buy field element. http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info Getting Started Starting a Team Resources - Includes step-by-step resources for starting an FIRST Tech Challenge team. http://ww...

Ken Johnson interviews FTC Team #4029 about the transition from the NXT system to the new Android-based platform. We're excited about the positive reviews! With some basic rewiring and a quick setup on your computer your robot can be transitioned to the new Android-based platform. Click below to see the student's interview at the Lexington Pilot event. For more information: Learn about the  FIRST  Tech Challenge Read the  Official  FIRST  Press Release Read the  FTC Technology FAQs webpage   Check out the  FTC Technology Forum

Our next installment of  FTC Tech Talk  gives a more in-depth look at the three programming levels that will be available to FTC teams . Ken Johnson describes the first level as an app that will be available to download on to your robot device and driver station device. The second level of programming that will be available is based on MIT App Inventor, which provides a scratch-like interface. The third level will be Java programming. Check out our video to learn more about the programming options that will be available next season.   MIT App Inventor:  http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ Android Studio:   http://developer.android.com/training/index.html For more information: Learn about the  FIRST  Tech Challenge Read the  Official  FIRST  Press Release Read the  FTC Technology FAQs webpage   Check out the  FTC Technology Forum

You know the feeling when you finally program your robot to autonomously move forward, turn left, locate a CASCADE EFFECT ball, and then pick it up all on its own? Then you travel to your next FTC competition and your robot is off! Without a hitch! Have you ever wondered how this amazing skill you now possess will benefit you in the future? The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) is basically a very, very advanced FTC robot constructed with the goal of creating a vehicle that could travel and explore the underwater oceans of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.    The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) is an autonomous underwater vehicle that was designed and built by Stone Aerospace, an aerospace engineering firm from Austin, Texas. It was designed to autonomously explore and map underwater sinkholes in northern Mexico as well as collect water and wall core samples. The DEPTHX vehicle was the first of three vehicles to be built by Stone Aerospace, which were funded by NASA with ...

Did you have a great Kickoff? Did you take pictures? We always want to see know what you are doing, so share your stories and photos with stories@usfirst.org .  We are so excited to finally share FIRST Tech Challenge CASCADE EFFECT sm with you all and to see what creations you will build to tackle this challenge. Don't forget to check out all of the information, tools, and tips on the FTC Team Reouscres web page. Now, how about a huge round of applause to the Game Design committee for all the work they put into creating this game, and if you haven’t heard all about it, head on over to the FTC Game Page to learn more. So far the word on the street is that this is going to be an exciting and challenging season. Is your Team rip-roaring and ready to go build a cool robot? We had a lot of fun with game hints this summer, and now we get to review them for you. The kickstand aspect of the center game element was on our minds a lot, as you can tell from the following: Only 13 days unt...

Gear Up With FTC! The Inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge Virtual Summer Conference It’s time, FIRST Tech Challenge mentors, coaches, and teams. It is time to think beyond the robot to the bigger picture. It is time to connect with experts and teams from around the world. It is time to take your skills to the next level. That can only mean one thing. It is time for an FTC community-wide virtual conference. Introducing – drum roll, please – Gear Up With FTC! We are so excited to announce the line up for our first annual virtual conference. Below you will find the name of each session and the session presenters. For more the virtual conference schedule and session descriptions check out the Gear Up with FTC! webpage . WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 from 3-8pm EST Why PTC Supports FTC Teams and FIRST Kari Karwedsky, Global K12 Academic Sr. Program Manager , PTC Team Organization and International Connections The Bears, Mexico Practical Implementation of a Communication Link via HiTechnic SuperPro P...