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FLL Blog Volume 13

by | Nov 21, 2023 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

FLL Blog Volume 13

Hello! 

Please read the entire blog, there is a lot of info this week! 

I hope everyone is ready for the upcoming events! Even if your team doesn’t fee ready, go to your event! The kids will learn so much and have a great time. I would bet you will find teans that are just as far along as you are! 

Teams and volunteers are there to help! Attend the coaches meeting in the morning, make sure the teams take advantage of practicing on the game tables so they know what to expect. The lighting and tables are different then they are at home. 

Our mats are brand new, so they are going to be slick and the robot may perform differently. If they practice on the game tables, the will have time to adjust if needed! 

Trust me, it helps! 🙂

If you have not yet, sign up to volunteer at an event your team is not participating at! You will get to see the judging process fro the other side and will be able to help your team better prepare for judging at future events! I have heard from multiple coaches that it has made them a better coach. Plus, you get a free t-shirt! You can email marak@firstwa.org for more info! 

 

Coaches Chats November 30th!

Tune in Next Tursday at 6:30 for FLL Explore and 7:00 for FLL Challenge for out November coaches chats! We will be talking about events!

Link to the coaches chat- https://bit.ly/novcoacheschat

Coaches Chat
Advancement

Advancement Numbers for FLL Challenge Events

Advancement numbers – *These numbers are subject to change based on team attendance the day of the event

 

Not sure which event you are attending? Check here- https://firstwa.org/fll-challenge-assignments-and-status/ 

FLL Challenge World Festival and Invitationals!

This season we have two slots for World Festival in Houston! One team will advance from each of the Championships!

We are also fortunate to have 4 Open Invitational spots! Two in California and two in Massachusetts! 

How the Invitational spots are decided I have not figured out yet 🙂

^

World Festival

In Houston, Texas April 17th-20th 2024

^

Western Edge Open Invitational

In Long Beach, California May 31st – June 2nd 2024

^

WPI Open Invitational

In Worcester, Massachusetts June 7th- 9th 2024

FLL Challenge Event Checklist!

Robot and attachments

  • Extra robot batteries and charger (if rechargeable)

Laptop computer or tablet for program changes

  • Make sure you know how to update without wifi!

Project Presentation

  • Any materials needed. FIRST WA does not provide any technology for teams to use.
  • If tech is needed, teams are resposible for providing, and must set up withing their 30 minute judging session.

Food, drinks and snacks (unless otherwise noted)

  • Some events have concessions available

Extension cord and power strip

Team Roster

  • Includes Consent  and Release indication for each student

Students registered online by parents in FIRST Dashboard

  • Paper consent forms if not registered online

A positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm to cheer for your team!

FRC Blog: Volume 12

by | Nov 21, 2023 | FRC

FRC Invoices Have been Sent

Invoices were sent from the email account accounting@firstwa.org to the contact listed on your PNW FRC Registration.

If you did not receive an invoice, feel free to email accounting@firstwa.org be sure to include your team number in the email. 

Invoices need to be secured by December 8th. 

FRC Coaches Chat Recording 

The FRC Coaches Chat recording and slides from our last call are live.

If you missed last week’s coaches chat, you, can find the recording and slides here. 

 

Sign Up to Volunteer for FLL! 

Our FLL Challenge events start the first weekend of December and all are in need of Judges, Referees, and more! 

We’ve seen massive growth across all FIRST Washington programs, and FIRST LEGO League Challenge has grown to 391 teams. That’s nearly 100 more teams than last season, and nearly 2,000 students across the state. To accomodate this growth, we’ve got 5 more qualifiers than last season. That means we need 250 more volunteers than usual! 

How to Register: 

  1. Login to yoru Dashboard.
  2. Select Volunteer Registration on your Dashboard.
  3. Then select Event Volunteering.
  4. On Event Filters, pick the program you wish to volunteer with (FLL, FTC, FRC). Or clear all filters to see all events.
  5. Select the event you wish to volunteer at. Under Volunteer Roles, pick the role you wish to fill.
  6. For the Dates Available field select the dates you’re available for. 
  7. Lastly, select the Begin Youth Protection Screening button and follow the prompts to submit your free-of-charge background check.

Sign Up to be an FTC Dean’s List Interviewer!

FTC Dean’s List will be remote this year, so you can interview from anywhere. Even if you’re affiliated with a team, you can be an interviewer. We’ll match you with unaffiliated candiddates. All 21+ volunteers are welcome. 

Provide your availability here! 

FTC Blog: Volume 14

by | Nov 21, 2023 | FTC

FTC Coaches Chat Tonight! 

Next FTC Coaches Chat is scheduled for tonight, Nov 21 at 7:00 pm.

We will be talking about the Dean’s List submission process and deadlines on our next call 

There will also be an opportunity for coaches to chat so you can get connected with and collaborate with other coaches in Washington. 

The second round of League events are scheduled for the first weekend in December, make sure you are prepared. 

You should receive more detailed information about your event from your league coordinator but you can find the event location here!

Make sure to bring your roster and consent forms to this event (you should bring them to every event you attend).  

Bring your Gracious Professionalism and spend some time talking with teams in the pits and getting to know them! 

 

Join Coaches Chat

Join the FTC Referee Call 

The FTC Referee meeting will take place Monday November 27th @ 6:00pm. All Head Referees and Referees participating in League Meet 2 events are encouraged to attend! This is NOT a meeting for coaches or teams to discuss or dispute calls. All calls are FINAL. This is an opportunity for Referees and potential to connect with one another. 

If you’re interested in Refereeing but aren’t assigned to a League yet, join the call anyway and let us know! We’ll get you assigned. 

Join Call

Sign Up to be an FTC Dean’s List Interviewer! 

FTC Dean’s List will be remote this year, so you can interview from anywhere. Even if iyou’re affiliated with a team, you can be an interviewer. We’ll match you with unaffiliated candiddates. 

Provide your availability here! 

FLL Blog Volume 12

by | Nov 15, 2023 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

FLL Blog Volume 12

FLL Challenge Coaches Chat November 30th! 7pm

Our next coaches chat for FLL Challenge will be on November 30th at 7pm! This coaches chat will be for FLL Challenge teams only! We will be talking about all things event, Semifinal, State, Advancement, and answering your questions!

This is the last coaches chat before the December Qualifiers! Link in the next Blog!

FLL Explore Coaches Chat November 30th! 6:30 pm

Our next coaches chat for FLL Explore will be on November 30th at 6:30pm! This coaches chat will be for FLL Explore teams only! We will be talking about all things event, and answering your questions!

This is the last coaches chat before the December events! Link in the next blog!

FLL Challenge Event Assignments!

FLL Challenge event assignments are posted here!

Teams not on this list have outstanding tasks. To see what tasks you have to complete, you can check here.

Teams with outstanding tasks have until Friday 11/17 to complete them.

FLL Explore Event Assignments!

FLL Explore event assignments are posted here!

Teams not on this list have outstanding tasks. To see what tasks you have to complete, you can check here.

Teams that have requested the December events with outstanding tasks have until Friday 11/17 to complete them.

Name Changes!

Multiple teams have reached out about their team names not matching on my lists vs their dashboards.

This is because while my email list gets updated every time I post a blog, the team name section only gets updated once or twice.

If your team names are incorrect, please fill out this form. Please make sure whatever you put on this form matches what is listed on your dashboard at firstinspires.org. This makes it easier for me.

The form!

FRC Blog: Volume 11

by | Nov 14, 2023 | FRC

FRC November 18th Workshop: Cancelled

This workshop has been cancelled due to lack of interest. Thank you SOTAbots for organizing! We hope interest returns for next season.

Our next FRC Coaches Chat will be Thursday, Nov 16 at 7:00pm 

Please try to have one adult attend.  We will have a short agenda for this meeting: 

  • Invoices and payment deadlines 
  • Kickoff 
  • Check in with all of you 

These meetings are a great way to connect with other coaches! 

Click Here

FRC Invoices

FRC Invoices will go out to the contact listed on the PNW Registration form no later than November 20th.

Your invoice needs to be secured by December 8th to ensure you will be able to pick up your kickoff kit on January 6th.

FIRST Washington is in the process of securing all PNW teams with FIRST right now. You should be able to access FIRST Choice when it opens later this week when it opens.