The contents of the FRC Mentor Resources Connection have been accumulated and categorized through the efforts of many FRC Team Mentors and FIRST Senior Mentors. It has been an exercise in Mentors helping Mentors. Their insight and contribution has made this offering possible. FIRST would like to thank all of these dedicated volunteers for their time and support of this project. If you have any additional ideas or contributions to be added to these resources please send your suggestions to frcteams@usfirst.org including the word “Mentor” in the subject line.
V. Competitions
(a) Pre Season meetings
(b) Event and Championship registration
(c) Kickoff
(d) Regional Events
(e) District Events
(f) Championship
(g) Off-Season Competitions
(h) The Game
(j) Scouting
(k) Inspections
(m) Awards
(n) Travel
Please submit comments or suggestions for additional links for this section to frcteams@usfirst.org. Enter “Mentor” in the subject line.
Disclaimer: Some of the following links lead to external web sites that are not endorsed or controlled by FIRST, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information about FIRST programs.
(a) Pre Season Meetings
Preseason/summer tasks
http://www.penfieldrobotics.com/resources/rookies.php
NEMO: How to Host a FIRST Workshop Day
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
(b) Regional Event and Championship registration
In the fall teams should preregister as soon as they know they intend to take part in the next season. Pre-registration does not require any financial commitment but it puts a team on the map for support and communications.
NEMO: Questions to Consider When Choosing Your FIRST Event(s)
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
(c) Kickoff
1. Manchester, NH
The FRC Kickoff event is satellite broadcast each year from Manchester, NH, usually the morning of the first Saturday in January. This is the official unveiling of the new game for the year
2. Local Kickoff Events
These events provide not only a place to view the broadcast, but also a place for kit pickup and perhaps training workshop opportunities. Teams are encouraged to organize these kickoffs. Those kickoffs with a minimum number of teams registered will be allowed to receive shipment of the kit of parts [KOP] for delivery to the teams attending. The list of locations of local kickoff events is posted on the FIRST website in late October.
(d) Regional Events
1. Release forms
2009 Members and Mentors Roster
2. What to expect
Official: http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=902
NEMO: Competition Tips/What to Expect
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Competition
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: 18 Hints for Rookie Teams
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: Don't Panic
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: 18 Tips for in the Pits
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: Jobs at Competitions
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: 30 Tips for 2007 - Checklist for FRC Post-ship/Pre-competition http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
(e) District Events
1. Release forms
2. What to expect
(f) Championship
1. Release forms
2. What to expect
(g) Off-Season Competitions
1. Calendar
Off-season competitions and scrimmages:
http://www.FIRSTnemo.org/calendar.htm
www.Robotevents.com
(h) The Game
1. Rules and Clarifications
OFFICIAL: Link for 2010 game, posted at Kickoff
FRC Manual (partial manual posted before kickoff. Complete manual released Jan. 9, 2010):
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=452
Email blast archive from FRC:
http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=6616
Updates for FRC teams (posted 2x week in Jan. & Feb.):
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=450
FRC Director Blog:
http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/
FIRST forums, for discussions on many topics in FRC:
http://forums.usFIRST.org/
2010 Game Q&A – teams submit questions for clarification:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=456
Senior Mentor Recordings:
http://www.usFIRST.org/community/content.aspx?id=10124
02/12/09 Getting Ready for Your Regional (outline)
Regional, Getting Ready (mp3 recording)
(j) Scouting
The Blue Alliance:
http://www.thebluealliance.net/
Dedicated to scouting and archiving competition footage, run by FIRST alumni. Watch till your eyes blur!
(k) Shipping
Senior Mentor Recordings:
http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=10124
Robot Transportation Checklist:
Robot Transportation PDF
Robot Transportation:
Robot Transportation Conference Call
(mp3 recording)
(l) Inspections
Senior Mentor Recordings:
http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=10124
02/05/2009 2009 Top 10 Robot Inspection Issues:
Top 10 Inspection Issues
(mp3 recording)
NEMO: Inspection Tips
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
(m) Awards
Award Deadlines-Official:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=454
Awards section in Team Manual-Official:
http://www.usFIRST.org/uploadedFiles/5%20-%20The%20Awards.pdf
Awards discussion:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=158
NEMO: Judging Hints at the Regionals
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
1. Chairman's Award
Where to submit Chairman’s and WFA-Official
Senior Mentor Recordings
12/11/2008 Chairman's Award (outline)
Chairman's Award (recording)
NEMO: Give the Chairman's Award Judges a Brain Tattoo
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
2. Woodie Flowers Award
Where to submit Chairman’s and WFA-Official:
http://www.FIRSTawards.org
Five Steps Towards A Winning WFA/UFH Essay
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2154
3. Judging done in the pits
Regional awards
Championship Awards
(n) Travel
NEMO: Choosing A Hotel
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
NEMO: Tips for Travel
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
A Tightwadder's Guide to the FIRST World Championship
Sample Permission Slips from Penfield Robotics:
http://www.penfieldrobotics.com/Rookies/Travel/permission%20slips.doc
Sample Trip Sign-up Sheets from Penfield Robotics:
http://www.penfieldrobotics.com/Rookies/Travel/TripSignup.doc
Important Travel Info from Penfield Robotics:
http://www.penfieldrobotics.com/Rookies/Travel/Important%20Travel%20Atlanta.doc
from Atlanta Trip
Important Travel Info(2)from Penfield Robotics
http://www.penfieldrobotics.com/Rookies/Travel/Important%20Travel%20Information.doc
from All Other Trips
WPI/FIRST ThinkTank: resources on Competitions:
http://thinktank.wpi.edu/tag/4
WPI FIRST think tank articles on strategy, Chairman’s Award, team building, and more
http://thinktank.wpi.edu/tag/4