July 12, 2016
FIRST Tech Challenge Oregon Community:
2016/2017 FIRST Tech Challenge Game Materials
Game Manual I has been published. Great summer reading for teams, mentors and volunteers. Read between the lines for game hints. :-)
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS GAME MANUAL I
Field Beacons
Yes, it has been released that there will be 4 Beacons in this season's game. There is an upgrade kit that can be purchased from AndyMark. PLEASE NOTE: ORTOP will be purchasing multiple Beacon Programmer Tools that will be distributed to League sites around Oregon. All teams, league and non-league can bring their beacons to a site for the firmware update at no cost.
FIRST Tech Challenge Oregon Tournament Fee Structure Change
An email send to the ORTOP Community by Bruce Schafer, ORTOP Executive Director, outlined the new tournament fee structure change implemented by an executive committee of the ORTOP Board of Directors. If you have questions, comments about this change, please direct an email to Cathy Swider. The new policy is as follows:
(1) ORTOP Registration Fee Changes for the 2016-2017 Season
As most of you know, the registration fees charged by ORTOP cover only a portion of the cost of operating our FIRST programs in Oregon. Fortunately, we have been able to recruit sponsor dollars to make up most of the difference but most sponsors want us to use their donations to help teams that couldn’t participate otherwise. To help assure the sponsor dollars are used most effectively, we have decided to make the estimated full cost per team more visible. Starting with the fall 2016 seasons we are asking teams to pay twice the amount as last year but giving them the option to pay less than that amount. The minimum fee for the upcoming season will be same as the full fee for last season. Starting this fall, the ORTOP registration system will provide an easy way to request a discount and give a reason for the request. All requests that are completely filled out will be honored at least for the upcoming season.
Teams that need additional financial assistance can apply for ORTOP team financial support by filling out an online application:
- FIRST LEGO League: www.ortop.org/fll/resTeamSupport.html
- FIRST Tech Challenge: www.ortop.org/ftc/res.htm
Examples:
- Last year the ORTOP registration fee for an FIRST LEGO League qualifying tournament was $100. This year the requested fee will be $200. If the person registering the team for the tournament feels the team cannot afford the full fee, he or she can pay the full fee or request that ORTOP sponsor funds be used to bring the fee down to as low as $100. The reason for the request can be documented by checking a few boxes during the payment process.
- Last year the ORTOP registration fee for an FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifying tournament was $150. This year the requested fee will be $300. If the person registering the team for the tournament feels the team cannot afford the full fee, he or she can pay the full fee or request that ORTOP sponsor funds be used to bring the fee down to as low as $150. The reason for the request can be documented by checking a few boxes during the payment process.
- Last year the ORTOP registration fee for an FIRST Tech Challenge league play was $75 and the registration fee for a league championship was $150. This year the requested fee for the combination of league play and the league qualifying tournament will be $450. If the person registering the team for the league feels the team cannot afford the full fee, he or she can pay the full fee or request that ORTOP sponsor funds be used to bring the fee down to as low as $225. The reason for the request can be documented by checking a few boxes during the payment process.
2015/16
Tournament Fee |
Tournament Event
|
2016/17 – Full Cost
|
Sliding Scale
|
2016/17
Minimum
|
$225
|
FTC League & Tournament
|
$450
|
<-.......->
|
$225
|
$150
|
Qualifying Tournament
|
$300
|
<-.......->
|
$150
|
$200
|
Super-QT
|
$400
|
<-.......->
|
$200
|
$250
|
Championship
|
$500
|
<-.......->
|
$250
|
ORTOP integration with Oregon FIRST Robotics Competition
As of July 1, 2016, the Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Program, integrated with FIRST Robotics Competition Oregon. This integration is limited to fundraising and promotion of the 4 FIRST programs together; FIRST LEGO League Junior, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition. The integration will also include hiring Cindy Labeau as Development Director (former Oregon FIRST Regional Director) and someone as paid Executive Director. Debbie Kerr will remain as the FIRST Senior Mentor serving all four programs. The FIRST Robotics Competition district events and district championship will be organized and implemented by FIRST Washington. Please join me in welcoming FRC to ORTOP.
RESOURCES
Check www.ortop.org/ftc for links to "Getting Started in FTC" and "What Veteran Teams should know", plus national registration links, funding resources and outreach activities.
Check www.ortop.org/ftc for links to "Getting Started in FTC" and "What Veteran Teams should know", plus national registration links, funding resources and outreach activities.
Regards,
Cathy Swider
FIRST Tech Challenge Affiliate Partner
FIRST Tech Challenge Affiliate Partner
