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FIRST Strategies: The Competition & Awards. Long Island FIRST Robotics Conference . Pre-match. Use scouting to develop a strategy Battery management Driver Station & Robot Do not c hange c ode with no t est t ime Pre-match c heck l ist . Scouting. Pit Scouting Match Scouting
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FIRST Strategies: The Competition & Awards Long Island FIRST Robotics Conference
Pre-match • Use scouting to develop a strategy • Battery management • Driver Station & Robot • Do not change code with no test time • Pre-match check list
Scouting • Pit Scouting • Match Scouting • Quantitative vs. Qualitative • Expected Values • Make it Fun! • OPR • 2/3 of Your Alliance
Alliance Selection • Look for combinations • A 28 team pick list • A “Do Not Pick List” • Declining? • Breaking up an alliance? • Send a confident student • Risk: Reliable vs. One Hit Wonders
Match Strategy • Too late to change robot….. • Set time limits • Abandon failed objectives • Have fail safe plans • Winning comes first! • Showcase comes second • Use your coach (tunnel vision) • Don’t fear damage…..don’t be stupid • Slow and steady
Awards • Pick an award and strive for it! • Create an awards sub-team
Judges • Have someone on hand to handle interviews • Get a feel for what they are asking • Pick features that make you stand out • ……and HIGHLIGHT them • Choose words wisely! • Use key words (robust, industrial, repeatable, sturdy) • They will watch the field! • Be nice…VERY NICE!
Engineering Inspiration Award • Winner is eligible for championships • Awarded for spreading word of FIRST • Previous winners have: • Been involved with FLL teams • Run engineering/robotics camps • Brought robot to elementary schools • Started robotics courses in high school • Contacted politicians about importance of FIRST
Fundraisers • Look for events that are “Double-Good” • Raise money and awareness • Try to draw funds from the outside • Avoid hitting parents for cash continually • Avoid conflicts with other school clubs • Balance time, cost, and profit • Go for the unique factor!
Parent Booster Club • HUGE help with distributing work load!!!! • Help organize travel plans • Work with mentors from school • Promote fundraising • Parent Booster clubs are big financial helps • Help organize events and sales • Provide money to for fundraiser initial costs • Work with students to find grants
Communication • Everyone must be on the same page for events and fundraisers! • Twitter • Updates straight to phones • Parents can follow with no account • Facebook groups • Most frequently checked/last minute changes • Email • Good for parents, mentors, and sponsors • Newsletter
The Awards • Find the list online • There is a award reachable for every team • Robot awards vs. Non-robot awards • Know the awards, know the criteria • Normally receive two copies • Team/School • Team/Sponsor • Team/Grandma’s House
The Chairman’s Award • Most prestigious of all FIRST awards • Given to the team that best embodies the “spirit of FIRST” • In other words….Best All Around! • EVERY TEAM should go for this award • Why? • It will make your team better • Robotics aside, it will make you do good things!
To Win: • You will need: • A good robot • A great team structure • A great relationship with the community • A great relationship with industry/school • To be good role-models • For other teams • For “future engineers” (young kids)
The Submittal • Submit online, meet the STRICT deadline • Must pick a regional to submit to • Pick a few passionate kids to write it • It’s ok to talk about previous years • Make the IMPACT of FIRST clear • Impact on you • Impact on community • Impact on school • Explain important team activities
The Photos • Usually 4 photos • Should represent your team! • Not set picture types • I recommend one of each: • 1- Working photo • 1- Learning/teaching photo • 1- Fun team photo w/ robot • 1- Special events/inspiring others photos
The Video • FIRST has a list of suggested shots • Team t-shirts should be very clear • Use a theme • Use interviews • Have the person restate the question in the response • Watch other videos on YouTube • Tell a story • Follow all rules!!! • Issues are common with music rights • 3 minutes
The Presentation • Who to bring? • Up to three people • Students or mentors • Just an opinion… • Bring one younger student (a future leader) • The judges have very good memories • What to bring? • Letters of reference • Newspaper articles • Photo collage • Team handbooks • Props are OK
The Presentation • PRESENT your team • You get 5 minutes, they get 5 minutes • Don’t be afraid! • Be convinced the last two years were the best your team has ever had • Know who is saying what and when • Have a game plan!