In today's update:

•  FIRST Tech Challenge national registration is now open.  What you need to know.
•  ORTOP financial team support awards and FIRST grants. What is the difference?
•  Your opinions count! Survey of FTC Mentors about FTC Workshops for Mentors. We've received a modest grant and we are developing mentor workshops. We want to hear from our mentors to help guide our direction 
• OMSI Fun Family Night at OMSI - June 4th - Free ticket download

ADDED 5/16/18 -Weight limit for robots will be 42 pounds for the 2018-2019 season. Read about it here 

_________________________________________

FIRST Tech Challenge national registration is now open
It is a requirement for competition that every team have a paid national registration with two mentors who have passed background screening.

 In the interest of blog space .....
                              Q&A and detailed info about FTC National Registration can be found here 

• Basic Information 
• National registration for FTC- Rover Ruckus season - cost $275 per team (overview page) 
• Detailed registration instructions for Rookie Teams 
• Detailed registration instructions for Veteran Teams 
• ORTOP Team Support Awards and FIRST Grant impact on national registration
• click here for detailed information 
• Click here for FTC equipment information - what is available through FIRST Storefront  

ORTOP financial team support awards and FIRST grants. What is the difference?

• FIRST Grants available through this page and the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust Grant via FIRST but initiated by the FTC Affiliate Partner in Oregon result in CREDITS for the team in the FIRST Storefront. Depending on the grant, these will be a CREDIT for national registration and/or a CREDIT for equipment product purchased through the FIRST Storefront. 
• Warning: If you apply for either of these FIRST organization related grants, your national registration must remain unpaid until notified if you received or did not receive the FIRST grant or MJ Murdock Charitable Trust Grant 
• ORTOP Team Support Awards (OTSA) - ORTOP, as the FTC Oregon Affiliate Partner and a separate organization from FIRST, fundraises money for teams from sponsors such as Rockwell Collins, Qorvo, Garmin, Google, etc and funds from the Oregon Department of Education grant to ORTOP. Teams complete an ORTOP application and if awarded, ORTOP sends a check to the team to spend on allowable items including national registration, FTC Oregon tournament fees, Robot parts, tools, travel, etc. Sometimes, the award will be a waiver of tournament fees instead of a check. 
• ORTOP Team Support Award Application will be available online by May 17th - click here 

Survey of FTC Mentors about FTC Workshops for Mentors 
Your opinions count!  We've received a modest grant and we are developing mentor workshops. We want to hear from our mentors to help guide our direction.
CLICK HERE TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS 

 OMSI - Fun Family Science Night - June 4th - 6 pm - 8 pm -- FREE! 
ORTOP is taking over OMSI for two hours on June 4th.
Come see the fascinating and informative Robot Revolution traveling exhibit.
Team Members, Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Alumni, and Friends and Family Supporters are invited to come.   This event is FREE Admission but tickets are required, please share the ticket link with you team members and their families. CLICK HERE