Tuesday, May 17, 2016

FIRST Tech Challenge Oregon - May 17, 2016

MAY 17, 2016
Dear FIRST Tech Challenge Oregon Community!

It is the start of a new FIRST Tech Challenge season!

1) National FTC Registration opens TOMORROW - May 18th! There are changes to the registration system. Most notably,  coaches should be able to order Tetrix/Matrix kits and Electronics in the FIRST Storefront on an as needed basis rather than needing to pay for everything all at once.  

2) It's FIRST Tech Challenge Team Support Award and Grant Application Season! Time to think about paying for stuff for next season. There are several opportunities available depending on your affiliation. Detailed Information is on the ORTOP Team Support Award page.  The following financial support opportunities exist (at this time):

  • Daimler: Education in Motion - DEADLINE TO APPLY is May 31st.
    • We only have 2 applications submitted so far. 10 Veteran and 5 Rookie Awards will be awarded.
  • Oregon Department of Education - DEADLINE TO APPLY is June 17th.
    • $250K available for FLL, FTC and FRC veteran and rookie teams. 
  • ORTOP Team Support Awards - several varieties - see link for details.
    • This may be the year your school/organization expands to being an "FTC Tribe" by adding additional NEW teams to your existing program. Instant Scrimmage!
3) MAKING FIRST LOUD!! 


  • On the FTC Oregon web home in the middle column we have a "THINKING OF STARTING A FIRST ®Tech Challenge (FTC) Team  at your school or organization site?" orange box.  Please direct potential new teams to this source for information.
  • Can't find something on our antiquated website? On the FTC Oregon web home in the middle column we have a VETERAN FTC Team box with information of interest to Veteran teams. I'll be putting the hottest and most important links in this box.
  • Below this is a tentative FTC Oregon TIMELINE for the 2016-2017 Season
  • Thoughts for the upcoming season..
    • Survey will be going out in a few days. PLEASE ANSWER IT. This will help me make projections and start organizing for the fall. I VALUE your opinion on how we run FTC in Oregon for the things we can control. And we know and will need to accept there are a ton of things we have no control over.
  • For Teams in Leagues: A nomenclature change. League Championships will now be known as League Tournaments. Championship is now reserved for the highest level of event in a State or Region,the four multi-state regional events (Super-Regional Championship) and the World Championship.
  • ORTOP is looking for new site for the FTC Oregon Championship on Feb 25/26. Benson HS has been a wonderful host but I feel we need more room to host 48 teams and 75 volunteers. Would like to keep it within 50 miles of Beaverton, but I'm open to suggestions. If you have a suggestion, please email me. Think outside of the box, we could be at a high school, community college or other inventive event space. 
Submitted by: Cathy Swider, FIRST Tech Challenge Oregon, Affiliate Partner 

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