Your Rookie Journey 1 The Rookie Journey Overview

Your Rookie Journey 1

The Rookie Journey • Overview: FIRST ® and FIRST ® Tech Challenge ® • Gracious Professionalism : What Makes Us Unique (link) • Our Region: Southern California Overview (link) – Geography and League Play (link) • Pre-Season Preparation: May-September (link) • In-Season Adventures: September-February (link) • Resources: Where to go for help (link) 2

FIRST Is… ® Inspiring youth to become science & technology leaders & innovators, by engaging them in exciting, experiential, Mentor and project-based programs that teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities. 3

FIRST Impact: More Than Robots ® SM • STEM Awareness, Skills and Intent – Increase the number of students who pursue post-secondary education and careers in STEM-related fields and industries • Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Inspire youth to become leaders and innovators in their field and society • 21 st Century Work-Life Skills – Enable young people to develop valuable, transferrable, real-world skills, including: teamwork, leadership, creative problem solving, critical thinking, time & project management, and communication/presentation skills 4

FIRST At-a-Glance ® 400 K students participating in 2015 -2016 200 K+ 16 M+ Mentors, Coaches, Judges & Volunteers in 80+ countries Volunteer hours served in 2015 -2016 $25 M+ >2, 200 scholarship opportunities from nearly 200 providers official events worldwide 41 K+ participants at annual FIRST ® Championship 5

® FIRST is More than Robots ® 6

FIRST Impact 7

• Teams of 7 th-12 th grade students • Develop strategy, design and build sophisticated robots • Use a modular kit-of-parts and custom built additions • Compete head-to-head with and against different teams of students 8

Team-Driven Learning • • Life-changing experience – More than Robots ® 2 -15 students plus min. 2 adults per team – Sept. through Feb. local season, with possible advancement to Super-Regional and Worlds – Student-driven, iterative, project-based learning model – Mentor-supported; mentors do NOT need to be technical experts – Variety of options: in-class, after school, and community groups – $2, 000 -3, 000 first-year to launch; reusable platform, powered by Android technology and programmed using Java – Need-based grants available from communities, Region, and National support for rookies and beyond – Free curricular first-year materials for teachers based on sound design and engineering principles Soft-skills in addition to robot design, programming, and construction – Entrepreneur-based – learning beyond robots to change their own worlds and abilities, and with their communities – Soft skills, including strategic problem-solving, organization, and team-building skills – Awards for competition, community outreach, and design More than $20 million in individual scholarships 9

Gracious Professionalism®: What Makes Us Unique • • • At FIRST®, Team members help other team members, but they also help other Teams. GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM® is not clearly defined for a reason. It can and should mean different things to everyone. Some possible meanings of GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM® include: – – • In the context of FIRST, this means that all Teams and participants should: – – – • Gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win. Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions. Professionals possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly. Gracious Professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves. Learn to be strong competitors, but also treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. Avoid leaving anyone feeling as if they are excluded or unappreciated. Knowledge, pride and empathy should be comfortably and genuinely blended. In the end, GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM® is part of pursuing a meaningful life. When professionals use knowledge in a gracious manner and individuals act with integrity and sensitivity, everyone wins, and society benefits. “The FIRST spirit encourages doing high-quality, well-informed work in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued. GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM seems to be a good descriptor for part of the ethos of FIRST It is part of what makes FIRST different and wonderful. ” -- Dr. Woodie Flowers, National Advisor for FIRST 10

So. Cal Dynamics • So. Cal Region Teams 160 150 140 – Est. 1, 500 students, ages 12 -18 (Grades 7 -12); average 11 students per team 136 125 120 113 – Possible engagement: 1, 400 public and private schools 100 80 69 • ~50 Meets, 5 Inter. League Tournaments, Qualifying Tournaments, Regional Championship • Supported by alt-NEXT, a 501 c 3 organization, and a dozen adult volunteers, plus team mentors and schools • Peer to Nor. Cal (130 teams) and San Diego (60 teams) Regions 60 39 40 25 20 136 Teams across 9 Counties (2015 -16): Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Imperial, and Riverside Counties 14 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 est 11

2016 -2017 Season Schedule • Sept. 10 Game Kickoff (Monrovia, CA) • Dec. - Jan. League Meets (Locations TBD) » » » Meet 0: December 3 or 4, 2016 (score does not count) Meet 1: December 17 or 18, 2016 Meet 2: January 7 or 8, 2017 » Meet 3: January 21 or 22, 2017 • January 1 Qualifier Tournament (Location TBD) • Jan. - Feb. 4 -6 Inter. League Tournaments (Locations TBD) » » » January 28/29 February 4/5 and/or February 11/12 • Feb. 26 LA Regional Championship (Monrovia, CA) • Mar. 10 -12 West Super-Regional Championship (Tacoma, WA) • April 19 -22 World Championship (Houston, TX) 12

So. Cal Hybrid/League Basics • • Teams compete in up to 4 half-day League Meets within one hour of their location every other week – Leagues of 10 -16 teams are run by local teams at a League Host school or location – Teams play 5 matches at each League Meet for approx. 2 hours total of game play (9 am – 1: 30 pm day) – League Meets are not mandatory, but carry over to your score at 1 Inter. League Tournament (ILT) – 4 League Meets are targeted, but first one is just Meet 0 and scores will not count Two Leagues will compete at a single 20 -30 team ILT in late Jan. or early Feb. (location TBD) – Top 10 Match Scores/team automatically will carry over to the team’s ILT, where they will play an additional 5 Matches from 10: 30 -2 pm • Teams who are not near Leagues will be invited to 1 24 -team Qualifying Tournament in January (location TBD). • ILTs and QTs run as full-day events, beginning with judging and Robot Inspections, moving to Qualifying Tournaments, Alliance Selection, Semi-Finals, and Finals. – Awards are given at ILTs and QTs only, not League Meets. – There is not judging at League Meets, though the League Committee may work with the regional Judge Advisor to create judging practice and feedback at League Meets – Top teams from each QT and ILT will advance to the LA Regional Championship on Feb. 26, 2017 13

Our Cities and Communities (2015/16) 14

Where We Play: League Zones League (Initial Name) Cities (examples) Zone A Los Angeles, Hollywood Zone B Santa Monica, Westchester, El Segundo, Torrance, Cypress, Pico Rivera, Cerritos, Long Beach Zone C La Canada, Monrovia, Pasadena, Temple City, Rosemead, Glendale, San Gabriel Zone D West Hills, North Hills, San Fernando, Newhall, Sun Valley, Valencia, Thousand Oaks, Agua Dulce, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Simi Valley, Camarillo Zone E Chino Hills, Claremont, Hacienda Heights, La Verne, Pomona, Walnut Zone F (2 Leagues min) Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Grand Terrace, Bloomington, Colton, Loma Linda, Redlands, Hemet, Moreno Valley, Perris, Menifee, Rialto, Romoland, Temecula, Winchester Zone G Irvine, Newport Coast, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano Zone H Ojai, Santa Barbara, Arroyo Grande, Ventura, San Luis Obispo Zone I Edwards, Lancaster, Quartz Hill, Palmdale, Tehachapi 15

ROOKIE JOURNEY • • • Pre-Season In-Season League Meets ILTs and QTs Advancement Where to get HELP! 16

PRE-SEASON: May - September • • See current resources at firstinspires. org, especially the page on starting a team: http: //www. firstinspires. org/ftc-start-a-team Recruit team members (2 -15 7 th-12 th graders) Schedule a parent meeting for orientation and team support Register your team: https: //my. firstinspires. org/Account. Manager/Account/Register – – – • Read! – – – • Pass Youth Protection by two adult mentors. Mentors should download and read the FIRST Youth Protection Guide: http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/about/FIRST-YPP-Program. Guide. pdf After two adult mentors have passed screening, pay $275/season registration and order a Kit of Parts READ Game Manual Part One! -- http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/2016 -2017 -season/gamemanual-part-1. pdf Download the Mentor Manual: http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc-mentor-manual. pdf Explore other resources at http: //www. firstinspires. org, including Building Teams that Build Robots Read about Engineering Notebook and start one with your team -- http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/engineering-notebookguidelines. pdf (Mentors) Look at the Curriculum in Schoology, available for free, to customize for your program Invite student team members to sign up at http: //www. firstinspires. org 17

PRE-SEASON: May – September (con’t) • Budget and Fundraising – – – • Get free copies of CAD software – – – • • PTC: http: //www. ptc. com/academic-program/k-12 -program/students/first Solidworks: https: //www. surveymonkey. com/r/X 9 RBN 9 W? sm=5 z. U 5 s. Es. CIDe 6 CO 8 rn. ECmx. FSTFq. G%2 bhu. KGKe. QK Wb. ZHDIQ%3 d Adobe Autodesk Inventor: http: //www. autodesk. com/education/free-software/inventor-professional Pre-Order a Field Set, Perimeter, or Mats if you would like a field: http: //www. andymark. com/FTC-s/274. htm Get started with Java programming for the robotics season – – • Plan a budget and fundraising for $2, 000 -3, 000 for your first season – see a sample budget at http: //www. firstinspires. org/robotics/ftc/team-budget-and-fundraising Use firstinspires. org fundraising tool kit & marketing tools web pages – see guide at http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc-fundraising-guide. pdf Apply for need-based grants (i. e. , PTC, Rockwell Collins, Best Buy, etc. ) -- http: //www. firstinspires. org/robotics/ftc/grants Download FTC App Inventor: https: //frc-events. firstinspires. org/FTCImages/2015 Look at the Android Platform Training Resources at Intelitek: http: //first. intelitek. com/ So. Cal Region: – – Read about League Play: http: //laftc. org/info-for-teams-2/hybridleague-play/ Pre-Register for League Zones for the season: http: //bit. ly/Pre. Reg-LAFTC-16 -17 Sign up (mentors, team, and parents) for Robot Tuesday (regular e-newsletter) at http: //www. So. Cal. FTC. com Follow LAFTC on Facebook: https: //www. facebook. com/Los. Angeles. FIRST. Tech. Challenge 18

September • Sign Up for Kickoff: Sept. 10, 2016, Monrovia High School, Monrovia, CA (San Gabriel Valley) – 6 -8 workshops with 600+ students – 8: 30 am Game Reveal; workshops until 1 pm • • Continue recruiting students and subject-area mentors (engineering, Java programming, CAD, PR, fundraising, etc. ) Continue fundraising and sharing your progress with your local community Re-READ Game Manual Part One! -- http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/20 16 -2017 -season/game-manual-part-1. pdf Read Game Manual Part Two (released on Kickoff Day) Continue your Engineering Notebook Strategize how you want to “play the game” Weekly read the Game Forum for your game questions: http: //ftcforum. usfirst. org/forum. php Brainstorm robot designs using your strategy 19

October and November • • • Build your robot using your chosen design Find 1 -2 local teams that are not rookies to visit and learn from Spend a little time learning CAD (PTC, Inventor or Solid. Works). – Catalog of parts are here: http: //www. catalogds. com/db/service? d=first&c=browse • Program your robot: – Autonomous: First 30 seconds of the match when the robot runs on programming only and no driver control – Tele-op: Final 2 minutes of the match when the 1 -2 students are driving the robot • • • Test your robot design & programming: does it do what you want? If not, redesign and re-build. Journal everything in your Engineering Notebook on a regular basis with different team members Drive your robot – practice really helps Scrimmages are great opportunities for teams to learn and work with other teams – watch Robot Tuesday for possible scrimmages Fill out the Robot Reliability Checklist – is there anything you need to focus on? http: //www. firstinspires. org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/rob ot-reliability-checklist. pdf 20

How Might You BUILD in 9 Weeks? • Week 1 - Learn Game rules! Come up with a game strategy. Discuss notebook & expectations. If large team, great to start planning some outreach events. • Week 2 – Continue design concept discussions & CAD drive train. Notebook entries. • Week 3 - Build drive train. Build prototype & test manipulators and lift assemblies. Notebook entries. • Week 4 - CAD manipulators and lifts (if possible, not mandatory). Continue working on build and design. Notebook entries. • Week 5 - Final drawings of whole robot, if using CAD. Start building manipulators/ assemblies. Notebook entries. • Week 6 - Build assemblies & judge interview practice (read Game Manual 1: Awards). Notebook entries • Week 7 - Program autonomous and teleop. and test drive robot. Notebook entries. • Week 8 – Test, revise and practice driving. Continue judging practice. Notebook entries. • Week 9 - Drive robot, fine tune programming, and practice for judging room. Attend a meet the field and see how well robot functions in "real world" application. Consider revising any components that are not reliable. Notebook entries! Hint: Breaking the build up into different segments, and setting goals for when tasks are completed, helps keep team focused on the project and breaks it up into manageable chunks. 21

December – January: League Meets • Teams get up to 4 League Meets and get 1 Inter. League Tournament for the season. Combined fee: $300 (check, credit card, or Purchase Order from school district) • League Meet Structure – Doors open at 9 am to teams. – Send one adult to check in team and turn in team rooster (print from STIMS) at Check In – Team goes through Robot and Field Inspection during the 9 am – 11 am time frame. Self-Inspection Sheet should be filled out ahead of time and brought to Inspection. Drivers meeting with Head Ref and FTA’s at 10: 15 am – Qualification rounds begin at 11 am. All robots must be fully inspected and passed before competing. Rounds last until approx. 1: 30 pm. – Teams celebrate the 5 Matches for the day and go home – One or more matches may include Judging Practice with feedback, to be set up by the League Committee volunteers 22

What to Expect at an Interleague Tournament or Qualifier • Doors open at 7: 15 am to teams. Find your team Pit table. • Send one adult to check in team and turn in Engineering Notebook & team rooster at Pit Administration table usually found in center of Pits and staff by volunteers. (Tip: Roster from STIMS Tip: team name and # must be on front of notebook!) • Team goes through Robot Inspection during the 8 am – 10 am time frame. No set time – but go early! Chances are you will fail first time around! Use self - inspection sheet in game manual before coming to qualifier. You may test your connect on field! • Judging Interview during 8 am – 10 am. Time will be given to you at check-in. You can not change your time, you can not be late! Judging room may hold up to 15 students and interview is either a prepared presentation or could be a Q&A format. Both formats are acceptable!! Judges will have 15 minutes to interview team during this session. 23

What to Expect at an Interleague Tournament or Qualifier– Con’t • Drivers meeting with Head Ref and FTA’s at 10: 15 am • Opening ceremony at 10: 30 am • Qualification rounds begin at 11 am! All robots must be fully inspected and passed before competing. • Lunch: 12 to 12: 45 am. • 12: 45 – 3 pm more qualification rounds. Team in top positions should scout for teams to play with in finals • 3 – 3: 15 pm top 4 teams will choose Alliance Partners to play in the Semi-Finals and Finals • 3: 30 – 5: 00 pm Semi-Finals and Finals • 5: 30 -6: 30 pm: Closing Ceremony and Awards 24

February – April: Regionals, Super Regionals, and Worlds 48 So. Cal Teams advance to So. Cal Regional • Feb. 26 at Monrovia High School • See Game Manual I for Advancement Criteria (p. 20) • Cost: $250/team Est. 8 of our 48 Teams advance to West Super-Regional • March 10 -12, 2017 @ Tacoma, WA • 72 teams from 12 states • Cost: $500/team plus travel (est. $3, 000 -6, 000/team) Est. 25 of 72 at West advance to World Championship • April 19 -22, 2017 @ Houston, TX • 125 teams from all over the world! • Wildcard slots also will be available this year – stay tuned for news • Cost: $1, 000/team plus travel (est. $10, 000/team) 25

Where to go for help? • Have a Game or parts question? Go to Game Forum • Can’t get phones to connect? Ask our experts __________ • Need programming help? Email ________ • Need a mentor? Email Brian Johnson, our Senior Mentor, for help at bjohnson@firstinspires. org • On-line resources: FTC Team Resource page & FTC You. Tube channel. Learning modules at _____ • Have a question and don’t know who to ask? Email community@socalftc. com 26

FIRST Resources • Main website: http: //www. firstinspires. org/robotics/ftc • Blog: http: //firsttechchallenge. blogspot. com/ • FTC Game Forum: http: //ftcforum. usfirst. org/forum. php • Facebook: • • – FIRST: https: //www. facebook. com/FIRSTOfficial/ – FIRST Tech Challenge: https: //www. facebook. com/FTCTeams/ You. Tube: – FIRST: https: //www. youtube. com/user/FIRSTWorld. Tube – FIRST Tech Challenge: https: //www. youtube. com/user/FIRSTTech. Challenge Twitter: – FIRST: https: //twitter. com/firstweets – FIRST Tech Challenge: https: //twitter. com/FTCTeams 27

So. Cal Resources • Website: www. socalftc. com • Facebook: https: //www. facebook. com/Los. Angeles. FIRST. Te ch. Challenge • Twitter: @So. Cal_FTC • Connections: – Team Communications: Taylor Halsey – Mentor Assistance: Brian Johnson, bjohnson@firstinspires. org (regional Senior Mentor) – Affiliate Partners: • Gigi Johnson, Ed. D, maremel@gmail. com, 626 -603 -2420 • Theresa Klemme, tfklemme@gmail. com 28