FIRST - Staying Connected
OFFICIAL FIRST COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
KICKOFF ATTENDANCE
It is important to discuss and agree upon how your team will view the FIRST kickoff event.You may have representatives traveling to New Hampshire and/or team members
participating in a regional kickoff event. This information was due to FIRST in
early December.
- TIP - It is important to have a number of students at a regional
kickoff event, if you can arrange it. Your team members will get a chance to interact with other FIRST
fanatics, share in the excitement, see the kickoff broadcast, and interact with
components of the playing field for the new game.
- TIP - If your team members are attending a Regional Kickoff event, each person will need to complete a FIRST Release Form. This form is available on the KICKOFF link on the FIRST website (www.usfirst.org).
OBTAINING KIT OF PARTS
You should agree upon how your team will obtain your kit of parts. You will probably be picking it up at a Regional Kickoff or having it shipped to your school / location. Typically, the quickest way to get hold of the kit is to pick it up at a Regional Kickoff. By doing this, you will not need to pay extra money to have the kit shipped to your school or work area.KICKOFF WEBCAST
NASA is webcasting the event for individuals and teams who are not attending any official Regional / New Hampshire kickoffs. The webcast information is available from the KICKOFF link on the FIRST website. Those who can pick up NASA Satellite Television (NASA TV) can also view the webcast without the delay problems of buffering.- TIP - MOE suggests you plan to videotape the webcast if possible. Information flies by quickly. If you have the capability to do so, it will allow you to review important information with your team later.
Keeping Connected with the FIRST Community
WHAT'S GOING ON
Once the kickoff hits, an army of roboteers will be mobilized in the Americas and overseas trying to determine how they can best build a robot to play this game. Lots of ideas and questions will be floating around. It will be advantageous for your team to be connected to this information barrage.
- TIP - Assign at least one team member to check the Chief Delphi site (www.chiefdelphi.com)
daily (or even multiple times per day) to process all the information which will
be shared in the FIRST forums. This resource will be invaluable to your team
going forward. All team members should know this site very well.
- TIP - Sign up multiple team members for the FIRST E-Mails Blasts which are sent.
These will include the infamous TEAM UPDATES sent by FIRST to clarify rules and
provide additional information. If only one person receives these, they may not
be communicated to your team in the most efficient way. The TEAM UPDATES are
archived under the DOCUMENTATION section of the FIRST Robotics website.
- TIPS - The competition documentation should be available immediately or not long
after kickoff. Make sure your team members know where to find it. Ensure someone
on your team reviews the rules thoroughly. The time spent doing this will be
worth it later.
STAYING CONNECTED
FIRST WEB SITE / TEAM UPDATES
- Check the site frequently. Make sure someone is obtaining and communicating Team Updates to the rest of the team. Ensure someone is checking the Question and Answer Section of the website.
- Check the FIRST documentation for modifications, especially prints for the playing field components
- TIP - Team Updates are communications directly from FIRST to update teams on the game, rules, and competition plans. It is critical that your team obtains these and shares them with the whole team. Multiple team members may obtain the Team Updates from FIRST via e-mail. See the FIRST website for details.
CHIEFDELPHI
- Feel free to post your questions as soon as you have them
STAYING CONNECTED
FIRST WEB SITE / TEAM UPDATES
- Updates are posted by FIRST usally on Tuesdays and Fridays. Make sure more than just one team member reads them.
STAYING CONNECTED
FIRST SENIOR MENTOR
You have probably been contacted by your FIRST Senior Mentor. Utilize him / her as you need to get the help your team may need.
TEASER PHOTOS ON CHIEF DELPHI
Another way to keep your student team members engaged is to view the teaser photos, which are being posted on the Chief Delphi Forums site (www.chiefdelphi.com). These teasers are fun and also give you a glimpse into the minds of other FIRST teams.
TEASER PHOTOS ON CHIEF DELPHI
Continue to enjoy the photos and discussions on Chief Delphi. Post a photo of part or your entire robot when you are ready. MOE often will post a picture of the outline of our full robot on our web site, then post the complete picture and robot specs after we ship the robot. If your team has a person who is proficent in Photoshop, or another photo editing softwear such as GIMP, see if they can do it.
STAYING CONNECTED
TEAM UPDATES / FIRST Q&A / CHIEF DELPHI
In week 6, you will start to see teams post the real deal online. As we mentioned earlier, you will need a robot photo for the Team Yearbook. It is recommended that you take a photo (preferably medium-to-low resolution digital) of your completed robot to share on the web. You do not have to reveal critical portions of your robot if you feel they will give you a competitive advantage in your first regional. After your first competition, however, the whole FIRST community will know about your secret high-speed shift-on-the-fly five-speed synchromesh transmission and your patented Multi-Ball-All-In-One-Grabber-Holder-Shooter. ;-) Seriously, though, this is the time when teams begin scouting other teams in earnest.
While you may not find information on all teams via Chief Delphi or the teams’ own websites, much preliminary information is available. In the spirit of Gracious Professionalism, make it easy for other teams to find out about your robot. They may end up being your alliance partner!
NASA WEBCASTS / NASA TV BROADCAST OF COMPETITIONS
The first weekend of competition is March 4-5. Check the NASA Robotics site to see what competitions will be webcast and if any will be broadcast on NASA TV.
STAYING CONNECTED
TEAM UPDATES / FIRST Q&A / CHIEF DELPHI
Just because your robot is shipped does not stop important FIRST information from being communicated. Continue to check FIRST Team Updates, the Q&A, and Chief Delphi.
NASA WEBCASTS / NASA TV BROADCAST OF COMPETITIONS
The first weekend of competition is March 3-4. Check the NASA Robotics site to see what competitions will be webcast and if any will be broadcast on NASA TV. Determine if any teams you will see at upcoming regionals are participating. Scout via the web or broadcast, if you can.
