Good Morning Teams,
Its official, the FIRST Board of Directors has approved the FRC District Event model. My thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who worked to make the 2009 Michigan District Pilot a success. There’s not enough time to get new district events off the ground for 2010, so this coming year we’ll only have District events in Michigan, but you can apply to host District Events in your area for 2011. All you need are a lot of teams in a limited area, dedicated volunteers with experience hosting FRC Regional Events and a 501 (c) 3 to take on the planning, coordination, execution, procurement and fundraising.
This is an exciting time for FRC. We’ve got the game for 2010 mostly pinned down, we’re working on the scoring, we’re building fields, we’re finalizing contracts for the Regional Events, we’re planning truck routes and we’ve put out bids for trophies, program books, and a host of other items that make the season possible.
Oh, and FRC pre-registration is open. Welcome to the 125 teams who have already committed to the 2010 season.
131 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
While I'm away
Good Afternoon Teams,
I’m out of the office this week, so here are a few things to think about while I’m gone.
The GDC has two new members this year. They will be announced officially in September but since they’re already actively participating in planning for 2010 I want to welcome Paul Lazarus of White Dwarf Productions and Calum Pearson from Cirque du Soleil. With Paul’s video and Calum’s production experience, they have made some very interesting suggestions regarding this year’s challenge.
If you’ve heard anything about specific dates and specific locations for 2010 FRC competition events, please don’t take them too seriously. Not all of the contracts are signed and many of the details aren’t final, that’s why I haven’t published an official list yet. Be aware, dates and locations can still change. Cross your fingers. We’re trying to add two new competition events for 2010.
136 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
I’m out of the office this week, so here are a few things to think about while I’m gone.
The GDC has two new members this year. They will be announced officially in September but since they’re already actively participating in planning for 2010 I want to welcome Paul Lazarus of White Dwarf Productions and Calum Pearson from Cirque du Soleil. With Paul’s video and Calum’s production experience, they have made some very interesting suggestions regarding this year’s challenge.
If you’ve heard anything about specific dates and specific locations for 2010 FRC competition events, please don’t take them too seriously. Not all of the contracts are signed and many of the details aren’t final, that’s why I haven’t published an official list yet. Be aware, dates and locations can still change. Cross your fingers. We’re trying to add two new competition events for 2010.
136 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
films and facelifts
Good Afternoon Teams,
As of this morning, 37 teams have applied to beta test new hardware and software for the 2010 season. We’ll start reviewing applications after Monday’s deadline and post the results here by Sept 4th. If your team is interested in participating, you can find the on line application here.
The FIRST website is about to get a facelift. Changes will go live the week of August 24th. Check out our new navigation and upgraded mentor resources (plus new video and more pictures).
Do you remember how PBS filming at Regionals and Championship in 2008? The documentary is ready. More details are available here
143 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
As of this morning, 37 teams have applied to beta test new hardware and software for the 2010 season. We’ll start reviewing applications after Monday’s deadline and post the results here by Sept 4th. If your team is interested in participating, you can find the on line application here.
The FIRST website is about to get a facelift. Changes will go live the week of August 24th. Check out our new navigation and upgraded mentor resources (plus new video and more pictures).
Do you remember how PBS filming at Regionals and Championship in 2008? The documentary is ready. More details are available here
143 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
a few details
Good Morning Teams,
In my travels this week, I’ve heard a few questions from teams. To answer what I can:
We’re almost ready to Beta Test elements of the 2010 control system. An email blast will go out to teams soon, but if you’re interested in helping FRC over the next few months, apply here.
Heads up, Section 4 of the competition manual (Robot Shipping) may change this year. FRC is working with a FedEX packing engineer to review our current crate criteria in an effort to improve efficiency in shipping.
Do you want to get the FIRST newsletter? Subscribe here.
149 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
In my travels this week, I’ve heard a few questions from teams. To answer what I can:
- Kickoff will be January 9th.
- Robot Ship will be February 23rd.
- The competition season will be 5 weeks long.
- Championship will be April 15-17th.
- FIRST does not plan to share the list of items teams may reuse from the 2009 kit just yet. I should have more details for you in September as we finalize agreements with some of our kit of parts suppliers.
- I’ll also be able to tell you where to purchase additional quantities of the reusable items then.
- Yes the cRIO will still be available at the discounted price.
- The classmate included in the kit of parts is being built especially for FRC. I’ll give you more information once Beta Testing starts.
We’re almost ready to Beta Test elements of the 2010 control system. An email blast will go out to teams soon, but if you’re interested in helping FRC over the next few months, apply here.
Heads up, Section 4 of the competition manual (Robot Shipping) may change this year. FRC is working with a FedEX packing engineer to review our current crate criteria in an effort to improve efficiency in shipping.
Do you want to get the FIRST newsletter? Subscribe here.
149 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Hot News
Good Morning Teams,
I am very excited to announce that, thanks to cost cutting, the reuse of key items in the control system, a generous donation from Dean Kamen and careful planning on the part of everyone involved with FRC, the 2010 registration fee will be REDUCED this year to $5000 for Veteran teams and $5500 for Rookie teams.
Here’s how it works. Veteran teams will receive a Kit of Parts and reuse some of the elements from the 2009 control system. Rookie teams will receive a Kit of Parts containing everything in a Veteran Kit of Parts plus the reusable elements Veteran teams already have on hand. The official cost to Rookie teams will be $6500; however, Dean Kamen has generously offered to make a $1000 donation to FIRST for each Rookie team joining in 2010. That money will be applied to the Rookie team’s registration fee reducing the real cost to the team to $5500.
All kits of parts will include a Classmate PC for use in the driver’s station and all teams will have the option to purchase additional reusable components after kickoff.
The registration fee for teams to attend additional FRC events and the FIRST Championship will remain the same as last year.
157 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
I am very excited to announce that, thanks to cost cutting, the reuse of key items in the control system, a generous donation from Dean Kamen and careful planning on the part of everyone involved with FRC, the 2010 registration fee will be REDUCED this year to $5000 for Veteran teams and $5500 for Rookie teams.
Here’s how it works. Veteran teams will receive a Kit of Parts and reuse some of the elements from the 2009 control system. Rookie teams will receive a Kit of Parts containing everything in a Veteran Kit of Parts plus the reusable elements Veteran teams already have on hand. The official cost to Rookie teams will be $6500; however, Dean Kamen has generously offered to make a $1000 donation to FIRST for each Rookie team joining in 2010. That money will be applied to the Rookie team’s registration fee reducing the real cost to the team to $5500.
All kits of parts will include a Classmate PC for use in the driver’s station and all teams will have the option to purchase additional reusable components after kickoff.
The registration fee for teams to attend additional FRC events and the FIRST Championship will remain the same as last year.
157 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
Where's Dean
Good Morning Teams,
I know teams are starting to give serious thought to the 2010 season. Before you spend too much time planning and preparing, I want to remind everyone: don’t assume 2010 will be anything like 2009. I’ve already mentioned in this blog that we’re reevaluating everything from the kit of parts to the website. So, like Heraclitus said “the only constant is change”. (Well, what he actually said was in Greek, but that’s what he meant.)
Have you heard about the about the new Public Service Announcement Keanu Reeves filmed for us? The Marketing Department is encouraging TV stations across the country to play it, so if you see it in your area, let me know.
Our Kit of Parts Engineer and my Deputy Director are both at NI week with Dean this week. Dean will be giving the Thursday Keynote “Inspiring Present and Future Engineers to Innovate”. Kate and Frank will be connecting with Engineers from around the country promoting FIRST and recruiting support for FRC.
We received 433 responses to the Kit of Parts survey. Thank you to those of you who participated. We’re taking your input seriously.
157 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
I know teams are starting to give serious thought to the 2010 season. Before you spend too much time planning and preparing, I want to remind everyone: don’t assume 2010 will be anything like 2009. I’ve already mentioned in this blog that we’re reevaluating everything from the kit of parts to the website. So, like Heraclitus said “the only constant is change”. (Well, what he actually said was in Greek, but that’s what he meant.)
Have you heard about the about the new Public Service Announcement Keanu Reeves filmed for us? The Marketing Department is encouraging TV stations across the country to play it, so if you see it in your area, let me know.
Our Kit of Parts Engineer and my Deputy Director are both at NI week with Dean this week. Dean will be giving the Thursday Keynote “Inspiring Present and Future Engineers to Innovate”. Kate and Frank will be connecting with Engineers from around the country promoting FIRST and recruiting support for FRC.
We received 433 responses to the Kit of Parts survey. Thank you to those of you who participated. We’re taking your input seriously.
157 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there!
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