Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Qualifier Registration Updates

 



Registration for Qualifiers is now open! 53+ teams have registered already! Join them!
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd events are now assigned for all teams that registered as of 9/28. You can see the rosters here and find out the events your team has been assigned. 
    • Invoices for registered teams will be generated early next week. 
    • Payment will be due December 2 for all events
    • Qualifier Fees: $225 for 2 qualifiers, $300 for 3 qualifiers
  • Qualifiers: 
    • Before registering, please check the list to the right for space available. 
    • Nov. 19: Roadrunner - Gilbert Qualifier (Gilbert Christian HS)
    • Nov. 19: Petrified Wood - Phoenix Qualifier (Brophy Prep)
    • Dec. 3: Cactus - Glendale Qualifier (Cactus HS)
    • Dec. 17: Diamondback - Tucson Qualifier (San Miguel HS)
    • Jan. 14: Palo Verde - Goodyear Qualifier (Trivium Prep)
    • Jan. 21: Turquoise - Chandler Qualifier (Valley Christian HS) - FULL
    • Jan 28: Copper - Queen Creek Qualifier (American Leadership Acad)
    • Feb 4: Desert Vista - Waddell Qualifier (Canyon View HS) - FULL
  • Arizona Championship: February 25, 2022 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
    • Arizona teams must qualify for the Championship by earning a spot at one of our eight qualifiers. 
    • The Arizona Championship is $250 per team
  • IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
    • All teams must have two adult coaches registered and cleared through the Youth Protection Program
    • All teams must pay season registration ($295) to FIRST. 
    • Teams are NOT able to compete in qualifiers until these requirements are met!
CocoNuts Registration Grants 
The CocoNuts are again generously offering Registration Grants for Arizona FTC Teams in financial need. If your team is experiencing financial hardship, please apply for a grant. Grants are issued as a discount to your season entry fees. Applications will be reviewed on October 6 and October 20. Apply for a CocoNuts Registration Grant HERE.

Grants and Spare Parts Opportunities - Welcome to our 15 AZ Rookies!!
  • There are numerous grant opportunities for FIRST Tech Challenge teams! Check out the FIRST Grants page for updates...more being added all the time! 

  • FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grants now open! Start a new team at your school, at a middle school or another high school in your district, or start a new community team.

  • Tune into the REV YouTube Channel on Saturday, September 10th, as we release POWERPLAY game breakdown and other game-related video content.

  • Check out REV's Tech Resources series called Kickoff Concepts as they release new content featuring prototypes, demonstrations, and other materials targeted specifically towards the game.

  • PITSCO is offering a number of $150 team grants and TETRIX® spare parts giveaways throughout the season. Teams need to enter only once to be considered eligible (super easy!). Sign up at Pitsco.com/FTC22.

  • Check out PITSCO's promo video about spare parts discounts and give-aways all season long. Use promo code TX22FTC to get 25% off TETRIX spare parts!

  • FTC SIM GRANTS - available to teams that HAVE NOT received the Rookie Grant. Play the simulation and enter for a grant. 

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

POWERPLAY is HERE!

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!!!

A HUGE thank you to all the teams and volunteers that presented workshops for Kickoff.

Registration for Qualifiers is now open! 45+ teams have registered already! Join them!
  • CLICK HERE to register for your qualifiers
  • Registration will happen in two rounds 
    • Round 1: Select your first two events plus one alternate
      • Teams that have already registered have been assigned their first two events. 
      • The spaces available in each qualifier is listed to the right -->
      • All teams that registered as of 9/21 have received their 1st and 2nd picks!
    • Round 2: Select your third event on the same form 
      • 3rd events will begin being assigned early next week
    • Payment will be due December 2 for all events
    • Qualifier Fees: $225 for 2 qualifiers, $300 for 3 qualifiers
  • Qualifiers: 
    • Nov. 19: Roadrunner - Gilbert Qualifier (Gilbert Christian HS)
    • Nov. 19: Petrified Wood - Phoenix Qualifier (Brophy Prep)
    • Dec. 3: Cactus - Glendale Qualifier (Cactus HS)
    • Dec. 17: Diamondback - Tucson Qualifier (San Miguel HS)
    • Jan. 14: Palo Verde - Goodyear Qualifier (Trivium Prep)
    • Jan. 21: Turquoise - Chandler Qualifier (Valley Christian HS)
    • Jan 28: Copper - Queen Creek Qualifier (American Leadership Acad)
    • Feb 4: Desert Vista - Waddell Qualifier (Canyon View HS)
  • Arizona Championship: February 25, 2022 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
    • Arizona teams must qualify for the Championship by earning a spot at one of our eight qualifiers. 
    • The Arizona Championship is $250 per team
CocoNuts Registration Grants 
The CocoNuts are again generously offering Registration Grants for Arizona FTC Teams in financial need. If your team is experiencing financial hardship, please apply for a grant. Grants are issued as a discount to your season entry fees. Applications will be reviewed on October 6 and October 20. Apply for a CocoNuts Registration Grant HERE.

Grants and Spare Parts Opportunities - Welcome to our 15 AZ Rookies!!
  • There are numerous grant opportunities for FIRST Tech Challenge teams! Check out the FIRST Grants page for updates...more being added all the time! 

  • FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grants now open! Start a new team at your school, at a middle school or another high school in your district, or start a new community team.

  • Tune into the REV YouTube Channel on Saturday, September 10th, as we release POWERPLAY game breakdown and other game-related video content.

  • Check out REV's Tech Resources series called Kickoff Concepts as they release new content featuring prototypes, demonstrations, and other materials targeted specifically towards the game.

  • PITSCO is offering a number of $150 team grants and TETRIX® spare parts giveaways throughout the season. Teams need to enter only once to be considered eligible (super easy!). Sign up at Pitsco.com/FTC22.

  • Check out PITSCO's promo video about spare parts discounts and give-aways all season long. Use promo code TX22FTC to get 25% off TETRIX spare parts!

  • FTC SIM GRANTS - available to teams that HAVE NOT received the Rookie Grant. Play the simulation and enter for a grant. 


Information from FIRST Tech Challenge - Game and Season Resources

Materials Release
Materials are continuing to be updated and posted on our Game & Season Materials webpage and on our Volunteer Resources webpage. Especially exciting this week are the newly posted:  
  • Game Manual Part 1 – Traditional & Remote 
  • Game Manual Part 2 – Traditional & Remote 
  • Game One Page 
  • AndyMark Field Assembly and Setup Guide 
  • Field Reset Guide 
  • Signal Sleeve Template 
  • Remote Field Requirements 
  • DIY Field Element Guide 
  • Control Award Submission Form – Traditional & Remote 
  • Control System Advisor Manual 
  • Control System Troubleshooting Guide 
  • Event Administrator Guide – Traditional 
  • Quickstart Guide – Leagues 
  • Wifi Technical Advisor Manual 
  • Wifi Event Guide 
  • Wifi Event Checklist 
FIRST Tech Challenge Software Development Kit (SDK) Release
Release 8.0 of the SDK is available NOW directly from the FIRST Tech Challenge Robot Controller GitHub Releases Page and SOON through your REV Hardware Client. Read more in our FIRST Tech Challenge 8.0 SDK Release Announcement.
FIRST Tech Challenge Kahoot! Course Available
The new FIRST Tech Challenge Kahoot! series is now available! These Kahoot! are for both students and adults (coaches, teacher, parents, volunteers) who want to learn more about FIRST Tech Challenge and the main components of the program. These Kahoot! are evergreen and are a great way to engage your team.
A link to the course and individual Kahoot! are provided below. 
Signal Sleeve and TensorFlow
Please check out our blog, POWERPLAY presented by Raytheon Technologies – Signal Sleeve and TensorFlow that walks through this year’s TensorFlow task for the POWERPLAY game. This blog includes a description of the signal and signal sleeve, as well as some helpful resources on how to take advantage of this unique challenge this season.

Thursday, September 8, 2022

It's Beginning to Look a lot like KICKOFF!

 "It's Beginning to Look a lot like KICKOFF!!!!"

Are you ready to meet the POWERPLAY Season??? Come find out what's in the box...It's TIME!

2022 Arizona FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff - Saturday, September 10!
  • Please fill out the KICKOFF RSVP form letting us know your plans for Kickoff!
  • Location: Arizona State University Memorial Union
    • Address
    • Parking Map - please note that there is a parking fee of up to $16 per day. Parking kiosks are available, or you will take a ticket upon entry to the Apache garage. Oversized or tall vehicles can park in the Gammage lot.
    • MU Map - Kickoff & workshops are upstairs, food is available on lower levels
  • Schedule: 
    • 7:30 AM: Doors open, guess the game element
    • 8:30 AM: AZ Season information and welcome
    • 9:00 AM: Kickoff broadcast & game reveal!!!!
      • Followed by game key points by our head referee & field measurements
    • 10:15 AM: Workshops begin
    • 11:15 AM: Lunch (on your own)
    • 12:00 PM: Workshops continue
    • 3:00 PM: Kickoff ends
  • WORKSHOP SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
    • Thank you to all the teams and volunteers that are presenting workshops!
    • We will post workshop materials to the Blog after Kickoff for teams to access
  • The Arizona Welcome & Season Information will be live streamed on the Arizona FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel. 

2022/2023 Arizona Qualifier Schedule
  • Registration for Qualifiers will open at 10 AM on Saturday, September 10 (Kickoff!!!)
  • Registration will happen in two rounds 
    • Round 1: Select your first two events plus one alternate
    • Round 2: Select your third event from the events with open spots
    • Payment will be due December 2 for all events
    • Qualifier Fees: $225 for 2 qualifiers, $300 for 3 qualifiers
  • Qualifiers: 
    • Nov. 19: Roadrunner - Gilbert Qualifier (Gilbert Christian HS)
    • Nov. 19: Petrified Wood - Phoenix Qualifier (Brophy Prep)
    • Dec. 3: Cactus - Glendale Qualifier (Cactus HS)
    • Dec. 17: Diamondback - Tucson Qualifier (San Miguel HS)
    • Jan. 14: Palo Verde - Goodyear Qualifier (Trivium Prep)
    • Jan. 21: Turquoise - Chandler Qualifier (Valley Christian HS)
    • Jan 28: Copper - Queen Creek Qualifier (American Leadership Acad)
    • Feb 4: Desert Vista - Waddell Qualifier (Canyon View HS)
  • Arizona Championship: February 25, 2022 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
    • Arizona teams must qualify for the Championship by earning a spot at one of our eight qualifiers. 
    • The Arizona Championship is $250 per team
Grants and Spare Parts Opportunities
  • There are numerous grant opportunities for FIRST Tech Challenge teams! Check out the FIRST Grants page for updates...more being added all the time! 

  • FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grants now open! Start a new team at your school, at a middle school or another high school in your district, or start a new community team.

  • Equity and Access Grants - these grants are designed to expand FIRST programs to traditionally underrepresented locations and populations. Apply by September 16!

  • BOEING Company Team Grants - Available to FIRST Teams at all levels who have a BOEING Employee Mentor.

  • Tune into the REV YouTube Channel on Saturday, September 10th, as we release POWERPLAY game breakdown and other game-related video content.

  • Check out REV's Tech Resources series called Kickoff Concepts as they release new content featuring prototypes, demonstrations, and other materials targeted specifically towards the game.

  • REV Robotics is awarding $100,000 in total Team Sponsorships for FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition teams! Applications are now open through September 20, 2022, don’t forget to apply!

  • PITSCO is offering a number of $150 team grants and TETRIX® spare parts giveaways throughout the season. Teams need to enter only once to be considered eligible (super easy!). Sign up at Pitsco.com/FTC22.

  • Check out PITSCO's promo video about spare parts discounts and give-aways all season long. Use promo code TX22FTC to get 25% off TETRIX spare parts!

  • FTC SIM GRANTS - available to teams that HAVE NOT received the Rookie Grant. Play the simulation and enter for a grant. 



Thursday, September 1, 2022

Only 9 Days to Kickoff!!!!


Arizona Kickoff, September 10, 2022 at the ASU Memorial Union! 

Kickoff will feature the Power Play game reveal and numerous workshops for students and mentors to get your team ready for the new season! Doors will open at 7:30 AM with the game reveal at 9:00 AM and workshops right after. 

We will offer 18 Workshops on technical and non-technical topics to get your team ready for the new season! The deadline for applying for a workshop has passed. We hope you will all take advantage of the amazing offerings from teams and volunteers. 

Please fill out the KICKOFF RSVP form letting us know your plans for Kickoff!

Tool & Spare Part Drive at Kickoff!
Are you interested in helping out other teams? Is your workshop to cluttered with old tools and parts? We will be having a tool and parts drive at the FTC kickoff. Please bring any tools or parts that you no longer need. Thank you for your help.

Dear Arizona FIRST® Tech Challenge Community, 

We are excited about the upcoming 2022-2023 season, FIRST® ENERGIZESM presented by Qualcomm, and the FIRST Tech Challenge game, POWERPLAYSM presented by Raytheon Technologies.  Unfortunately, the REV Robotics Control Hub, a core component of the reusable FIRST Tech Challenge robot kit, is currently unavailable due to ongoing global supply chain disruptions. All efforts are being made to have Control Hubs in stock in time for kickoff in September. 

In the meantime, we are asking our existing teams to help rookie teams get started by sharing spare Control Hubs and/or Expansion Hubs with Android Phones.  Many teams have spare equipment or Expansion Hubs that they have replaced with Control Hubs.  If you can help “share the spare,” please reach out to your local ftc.arizona@gmail.com and submit the form for Arizona.


Arizona Qualifying Tournaments
We anticipate running 8 qualifying tournaments in Arizona this year from November through early February, with the Arizona Championship in late February. We currently have 7 of the 8 events confirmed with schools and will post the schedule and open registration before Kickoff. Similar to last year, we will use a flat fee structure for competing in 2 or 3 events. We highly encourage every team to compete at least twice to maximize your season and your team's growth, learning, and fun! 

We're hoping to open tournament registration by Kickoff. Stay tuned for the schedule and how to register. 

Grants and Spare Parts Opportunities
  • There are numerous grant opportunities for FIRST Tech Challenge teams! Check out the FIRST Grants page for updates...more being added all the time! 

  • FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grants now open! Start a new team at your school, at a middle school or another high school in your district, or start a new community team.

  • Equity and Access Grants - these grants are designed to expand FIRST programs to traditionally underrepresented locations and populations. Apply by September 16!

  • BOEING Company Team Grants - Available to FIRST Teams at all levels who have a BOEING Employee Mentor.

  • Tune into the REV YouTube Channel on Saturday, September 10th, as we release POWERPLAY game breakdown and other game-related video content.

  • Check out REV's Tech Resources series called Kickoff Concepts as they release new content featuring prototypes, demonstrations, and other materials targeted specifically towards the game.

  • REV Robotics is awarding $100,000 in total Team Sponsorships for FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition teams! Applications are now open through September 20, 2022, don’t forget to apply!

  • PITSCO is offering a number of $150 team grants and TETRIX® spare parts giveaways throughout the season. Teams need to enter only once to be considered eligible (super easy!). Sign up at Pitsco.com/FTC22.

  • Check out PITSCO's promo video about spare parts discounts and give-aways all season long. Use promo code TX22FTC to get 25% off TETRIX spare parts!

  • FTC SIM GRANTS - available to teams that HAVE NOT received the Rookie Grant. Play the simulation and enter for a grant.