Get Ready for SKYSTONE!

IS YOUR TEAM READY TO COMPETE? QUALIFIERS START IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!

It seems like Kickoff was only yesterday, but we're rapidly approaching competition season! Please follow these guidelines to be sure your team is competition ready. 

Logistics Checklist

1. Register and pay your season registration with FIRST before your 1st event
2. Pay for your qualifiers (payment due November 20)
3. Arrange for transportation
4. Arrange for hotels as needed
5. Arrange for lunch at the qualifier

Prepare your Robot

1. Attend Meet the Field Day this weekend (Chandler, Flagstaff, Tucson, West Valley)
2. Self-inspect your robot & control system - The Design Resources page has checklists and inspection sheets
3. Troubleshoot your code - Check out the Programming Resources page
4. Weigh and measure your bot to be sure it meets weight & size requirements
5. Re-read Game Manual Part 1 & 2 to be sure your robot and strategy comply with all rules
6. Practice & refine autonomous and tele-operated modes

Prepare your Team

1. Review the judging process, award criteria, and engineering notebook criteria
2. Prepare and practice your team's 5-minute judging presentation
3. Practice answering questions for your 5-minute Q&A with the judges
4. Prepare your engineering notebook - review the criteria here
5. Prepare team uniforms, give away items, cheers
6. Prepare your Control Award submission
7. Choose your drivers and human player - be sure they know the rules inside & out!
8. Prepare your scouting plan - you never know when you may be picking an alliance!
9. Read the FIRST Tech Challenge Blog for the latest updates from FIRST Headquarters, including tips on how to prepare for competition.

Packing List

1. GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM
2. Safety glasses for every member of your team, including mentors, parents, spectators
3. FIRST team roster & any print consent forms (all students need a signed FIRST consent form to participate) - See the youth registration page for instructions
4. Programming computer, charger, cables
5. Spare phone & robot batteries + chargers
6. Engineering Notebook
7. Judging materials
8. Pit materials (please check with your event director for size limits in the pits)
9. Extension cord & power strip
10. Team uniforms & spirit items
11. Give away items
12. Robot with cart or box for transporting to and from field
13. Spare parts and tools (some pits have restrictions on power tools - contact your event coordinator with questions)

We'll see you at the qualifiers! Good luck, have fun, and May the Force be with You! 

A Tribute to Woodie Flowers

Dr. Woodie Flowers: 1943 - 2019

It's with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. Flowers was instrumental in making FIRST what it is, coining the term "Gracious Professionalism" and creating the culture of collaboration that is such a hallmark of our beloved program. Woodie was so well known for his generosity, humility, and his ability to bring out the best in all of us, both students and mentors alike. We had the opportunity to present with him at last year's Championship Showcase, and we'll never forget getting the chance to introduce him to one of our CocoNuts. Our student was totally star-struck by meeting Woodie, but Woodie shook hands warmly with him and said simply, "Tell me about you." As we move into the future, please remember that the best way to honor Woodie is to be Graciously Professional in everything you do, and if you should find yourself in a tough situation, ask yourself, "What would Woodie do?" ~Dave & Christine

Please read the message from FIRST honoring Woodie here. 

In other News...

Meet the Field Day

Meet the Field Day starts this weekend (October 26) and continues next Saturday (November 2). We have lots of opportunities for your team to Meet the Field. Come practice on a full field, collaborate with other teams, get build and programming help and more! We encourage all teams to attend a Meet the Field event whether your robot is competition ready or still a box of parts!

We have six opportunities to Meet the Field:
*Oct. 26 – Gilbert
*Nov. 2 – White Mountain, West Valley, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff

RSVP for Meet the Field Day here.

Qualifying Tournament Invoices

All teams should have received their invoice for this year's qualifying tournaments. Please read your invoice carefully, as it contains a lot of important information, including: 

• A list of your confirmed events
• A breakdown of your team’s cost for the season
• Instructions on how to make your payment with a PO, check, or credit card
• Cancellation policy
• Late payment policy
• Criteria for competing in official FIRST events
• A list of Arizona events, including locations and addresses

To avoid a late payment fee of $50, payments must be in by November 20.

If your team hasn't received an invoice yet, please contact us at ftc.arizona@gmail.com.

Have you seen the newly redesigned Arizona FIRST Tech Challenge website yet???

Thank you to Wade Batson and his web design team for all your hard work!

Advancement to AZ Championship

Advancement to the AZ Championship
Advancement from a qualifier to the AZ Championship or AZ Championship to the World Championship is based on the criteria set out by FIRST. Teams are eligible to advance to the next level and win awards at their first three events in a competition tier regardless of which region those events take place in. 

Qualifying Tournaments ----> Advance to ----> State Championship Tournaments
State Championships ------->Advance to -----> FIRST World Championship

The order of advancement is the same for all levels of competition, and is listed on page 23 of Game Manual Part 1. Many of the advancement spots are dependent on judged awards. The judging process, requirements for each award, and requirements for your team's engineering notebook can be found in Game Manual Part 1 starting on page 42. 

Teams are only eligible to compete in official FIRST events once they are registered and paid with FIRST for the new season, and two coaches have cleared Youth Protection screening. 

Advancement to the Arizona Championship must occur at one of our Arizona qualifying tournaments. The number of teams advancing to the Championship from a qualifier depends on the number of teams competing at that event. 

This year, the qualifying tournament hosts opted to earn their way to the Championship on merit, rather than receive an automatic bid for hosting a qualifier. 

Our target for the Championship is between 42 and 48 teams. Based on the number of spots available at the qualifying events, this means we plan to advance about 25% of the teams competing at each qualifier. 

Qualifiers with 12-14 teams competing..................Advance 3 teams
Qualifiers with 15-18 teams competing..................Advance 4 teams
Qualifiers with 19-22 teams competing..................Advance 5 teams
Qualifiers with 23 + teams competing....................Advance 6 teams

3rd Round Registration
Teams may now register for a 3rd event for the Skystone season. We encourage every team to play at least twice...believe us, once you go to your first event, your team will be eager to play again! But, we can't guarantee there will be space available in any event once the season starts, so sign up for any events you want to compete at NOW! 

Starting on October 13, teams may register for any remaining spots at the qualifiers. Out-of-region teams may also register for any open spots to compete in Arizona. While teams are only eligible to advance to a Championship event from their first three qualifiers, you are welcome to compete as many times as you like. 

AS OF OCTOBER 8....

Full events

• Chandler
• Downtown Phoenix (Bioscience)
• West Valley
• Queen Creek

Events with 5 or fewer spots 

• White Mountain
• Gilbert
• Tucson
• Glendale

Events with plenty of space

• Central Phoenix (MetroTech)

Teams will receive invoices the week of October 13 with what your team owes and instructions for making your payment. Payment for ALL qualifying tournaments is due by November 20. Payments made after that date will be assessed a late payment fee. Teams can use the cost estimator along with the confirmation emails sent to you from ftc.arizona@gmail.com to start purchase orders now if required by your school. 

FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List

DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER EVENTS IS TUESDAY OCTOBER 15

It's time to think about nominating your deserving students for the FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List! The Dean's List Award recognizes the leaders and ambassadors from each FIRST Tech Challenge team. 10th and 11th grade students are eligible to be nominated by their team. Each team may nominate up to two students. 

The deadline for Dean's List submissions is 11:59 pm EASTERN TIME on the 15th of the month PRIOR to your qualifying tournament.

For Arizona Qualifiers, the deadlines are: 

October 15 - White Mountain and Gilbert

November 15 - Tucson, Downtown Phoenix, Central Phoenix, Glendale

December 15 - Queen Creek and Chandler

January 15 - West Valley

The students nominated from each team are Dean's List Semifinalists. Semifinalists will be interviewed at the chosen qualifying tournament by a panel of two judges. The Dean's List Finalists for Arizona will be chosen from the pool of Semifinalists from all qualifiers, and will be announced at the AZ Championship February 22. 

Visit the Dean's List website and read the Nomination Guide for more information on how to submit your nominations. 

Meet the Field Day

Wait, it's less than a month until Meet the Field Day?!? Meet the Field Day is a chance to practice on a full size field, get help from other teams with programming and design, collaborate with other teams, and build a network with teams in your area. 

We have six opportunities to Meet the Field:

*Oct. 26 - Gilbert

*Nov. 2 - White Mountain, West Valley, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff

Teams can RSVP for Meet the Field here. 

Dean's List & 3rd Round Registration

FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List 
It's time to think about nominating your deserving students for the FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List! The Dean's List Award recognizes the leaders and ambassadors from each FIRST Tech Challenge team. 10th and 11th grade students are eligible to be nominated by their team. Each team may nominate up to two students. 

The deadline for Dean's List submissions is 11:59 pm EASTERN TIME on the 15th of the month PRIOR to your qualifying tournament.

For Arizona Qualifiers, the deadlines are: 
October 15 - White Mountain and Gilbert
November 15 - Tucson, Downtown Phoenix, Central Phoenix, Glendale
December 15 - Queen Creek and Chandler
January 15 - West Valley

The students nominated from each team are Dean's List Semifinalists. Semifinalists will be interviewed at the chosen qualifying tournament by a panel of two judges. The Dean's List Finalists for Arizona will be chosen from the pool of Semifinalists from all qualifiers, and will be announced at the AZ Championship February 22. 

Visit the Dean's List website and read the Nomination Guide for more information on how to submit your nominations. 

3rd Round Registration
Teams may now register for a 3rd event for the Skystone season. We encourage every team to play at least twice...believe us, once you go to your first event, your team will be eager to play again! But, we can't guarantee there will be space available in any event once the season starts, so sign up for any events you want to compete at NOW! 

Starting on October 13, teams may register for any remaining spots at the qualifiers. Out-of-region teams may also register for any open spots to compete in Arizona. While teams are only eligible to advance to a Championship event from their first three qualifiers, you are welcome to compete as many times as you like. 

AS OF OCTOBER 3....

Full events

• Chandler
• Downtown Phoenix (Bioscience)
• West Valley

Events with 5 or fewer spots 

• White Mountain
• Gilbert
• Tucson
• Queen Creek

Events with plenty of space

• Glendale
• Central Phoenix (MetroTech)

Teams will receive invoices the week of October 13 with what your team owes and instructions for making your payment. Payment for ALL qualifying tournaments is due by November 20. Payments made after that date will be assessed a late payment fee. Teams can use the cost estimator along with the confirmation emails sent to you from ftc.arizona@gmail.com to start purchase orders now if required by your school. 

Go Behind the Scenes
Check out these FIRST Teams behind the scenes with Star Wars!