FIRST TECH Challenge

THE PROGRAM: The national FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program is a mid-level robotics competition being developed to provide an opportunity for high-school students, who are too old to qualify for FLL, to participate in a similar program. Like FLL, FTC is an excellent way to experience the power, excitement, and fun of science, technology, engineering, and math and gain insights in the possibility of a technical career. Team members will be involved in the design, implementation, and programming of a robot to participate in a well defined challenge in competition and cooperation with robots from other teams.

• Participate as a team of up to 10 students with 2-3 coach/mentors. Typical team size is 6 team members. Teams meet weekly or bi-weekly, September – February.
• Develop problem-solving, organizational and team building skills including development of an engineering documentation notebook, marketing and fundraising.
• Exciting interactive robot game employing offensive and defensive strategy and team networking.
• Solve complex problems using the Tetrix robotic system to navigate autonomously with sensors, manipulate small objects and travel over uneven surfaces.
• Use a sustainable reusable kit of parts with servo motors, multiple controllers, some team manufactured parts and a variety of programming platforms: NXT-G, Robot C and Labview.
• Opportunities to custom fabricate specified parts, incorporate a prototype board and use PTC design software.
• Emulate design elements used in civic and commercial robotic applications.
• Apply for college scholarship funds reserved for FIRST team members only.

WHO IS IT FOR: The FTC program is designed for high school students (14 -18) but older middle school students (12 -13), especially those who have participated in FIRST LEGO League or has other robotics experience, can participate in FIRST Tech Challenge. Some students choose to participate in FIRST Tech Challenge throughout high school but some may opt to join a FIRST Robotics Competition team if it is available in their area.

FTC PROGRAM COSTS:

*Program Costs for participation in FIRST* Tech Challenge**
FIRST Tech Challenge National Registration (up to 10 students)	$275
FIRST Tech Robot Competition Kit includes a full complement of parts including three software packages, 11 motors, 10 sensors, Bluetooth communications, rechargeable batteries, metal gears, and a complete set of structural components. The kits are reconfigurable and can be used over multiple seasons.	VARIES CLICK HERE FOR 2010 OPTIONS
Additional Tetrix parts to design robot to meet the annual challenge. Purchased parts are reuseable.	$200 - $1000
ORTOP Tournament Program Fee	$75
Official FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Field (OPTIONAL)	~$1000
Materials to build a usable full or partial FTC Competition Field from locally obtained construction materials (plywood, pvc pipe)	~$400
Approximate minimum cost for a first year team	~$1850
Approximate maximum cost for a first year team	~$3300
Approximate cost for a returning team in 2010	~$850

FINANCIAL ASSSISTANCE: ORTOP has a FTC Scholarship program to assist teams that qualify.

From the FIRST Website:

What is FTC

How does FTC Work

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Involved

Impact from Involvement

Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Program (ORTOP)

To accomplish its mission, ORTOP uses a 3 programs developed and distributed by the FIRST, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) an internationally recognized educational foundation. These three programs are FIRST LEGO League, Junior FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge.

ORTOP is a program of the Oregon University System but is almost entirely volunteer driven. The ORTOP Planning Committee is made up of volunteers from the programs sponsors and partners and well as private individuals. Many adult volunteers will organize and coach teams this year, while close additional volunteers will plan and stage workshops, scrimmages and the Championship Tournament. These volunteers come from many sources, including sponsors and community partners.

ORTOP Mission Statement

To open doors to the worlds of science and technology for Oregon’s youth, by delivering the FIRST programs to 6- to 18-year-old youngsters, and encouraging those who might not otherwise participate because of their race, gender, or socio-economic status. In addition to FIRST Tech Challenge, ORTOP also implements Jr. FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology)

A non-profit organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) organizes an annual network of robotics tournaments under the names FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and Junior FIRST LEGO League(Jr.FLL). FIRST focuses on promoting science and technology to young people. They have formed a network of robotics tournaments that use 3 unique types of robotics kits. Over the last several years, similar robotics tournaments held in other states and countires have proven to be extremely valuable in inspiring young people's interest in science and technology and preparing them to enter tomorrow's workforce. The teams allow the children to serve in a variety of roles:

Designers
Builders
Programmers
Documentor
Spirit/Activities Coordinator
Team Leader

Rather than being a "winner takes all" competition, the tournament provides an exciting opportunity for teams to learn from each other and share their excitement. All team members go home with a medallion. In addition, trophies are awarded in many catagories.

FTC TEAMS

TEAM MEMBER AGE: The FTC program is designed for high school students (14 -18) but we older middle school students (8th graders), especially those who have participated in FIRST LEGO League or has other robotics experience, can participate in FIRST Tech Challenge. Some students may choose to participate in FIRST Tech Challenge throughout high school but some may opt to join a FIRST Robotics Competition team if it is available in their area.

TEAM SIZE: FIRST Tech Challenge Team Registration is suggested to be 10 students.

TEAM AFFILIATION: Teams form at schools, organizations like 4-H, Scouts or Boys & Girls Clubs, from neighborhoods, religious community groups, after-school programs and industry employee programs.

The FIRST Tech Challenge Game 2011

LINK TO Game details on the national FTC website

FTC Qualifying & Championship Tournament Schedule 2012

Date	Location	Comments
1/28/11	Tigard HS	24 - Team Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
1/29/11	Tigard HS	24- Team Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
2/4/11	OMSI	16 Team Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
2/4/11	Evergreen Space Museum	24- Team Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
2/11/11	Kelley Engineering: OSU	24 Team Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
2/18/11	St. Helens HS	24 teams -Oregon FTC Qualifying Event
2/25/11	South Meadows MS, Hillsboro	FTC Championship presented by Rockwell Collins QUALIFYING INSPECTIONS and JUDGING SESSIONS
2/26/11	South Meadows MS, Hillsboro	Oregon FTC Championship presented by Rockwell Collins Inspections continued for teams that did not pass or were unable to attend on Saturday. Judging sessions for teams unable to attend on Saturday. Opening Ceremony Qualifying Rounds Elimination Rounds Awards Ceremony

Oregon FIRST TECH Challenge QUALIFYING EVENT REGISTRATION
Oregon Qualifying Tournament Registration will open December 8, 2011 and close December 15, 2011 at 5:00 PM .
Registered teams will receive the online registration link by email.

Oregon FIRST Tech Challenge ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK will open December 8

Payment for the Oregon FTC Championship will be handled seperately.

*Out of State Team Policy:Team residing in counties that border Oregon can participate in ORTOP FTC events. We extend this invitation for teams that are closer in distance to an Oregon tournament than those in their home state. If an Oregon team's meeting place is closer to an event being held in Idaho, Washington, California or Nevada, those teams can, if they prefer, contact the FTC Affiliate Partner outside of Oregon to register for their FTC events. Slots are subject to availability and FTC rules. .
Those rules are 1) Teams in Oregon (includes Clark County, Wasington) that have not participated in an event 2) Teams in Oregon (includes Clark County, Washington) that have previously attended an event in the current season and want to attend another 3) Teams outside of Oregon that have not attended an event in the current season.2) Teams outside of Oregon that have attended an event and want to attend a second.
At this time we anticipate that all slots will be taken by Oregon (or Clark County, Washington) teams under Rule #1 and #2.
REGISTERED OREGON FTC TEAMS