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. |
$967.50 |
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 2009 |
~$850 |
FINANCIAL ASSSISTANCE: ORTOP has a FTC Scholarship program to assist teams that qualify.
ADULT TRAINING WORKSHOPS: ORTOP offers a variety of adult training workshops to help new and experienced coaches learn more.
From the FIRST Website:
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE 2009: At A Glance in Oregon
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.
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.
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 (12 -13), 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 limited to 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 2009
LINK TO HOT SHOT Game details on the national FTC website
FTC Qualifying & Championship Tournament Schedule 2010
| Date | Location | Time/comments |
February 6, 2010 |
FTC Qualifying Event at OMSI |
Check detailed schedule for Friday evening events for teams. Saturday - 2/6/10 - Teams should arrive at OMSI for check-in at 7:15am. Check-in closes at 8:00am Detailed information for teams - CLICK HERE Opening Ceremonies for Teams and the Public begin at noon. Awards Ceremony will occur approximately at 4:30 pm. |
| February 13, 2010 | FTC Qualifying Event at Oregon State University | Time schedule will be announced, teams should prepare for an early morning check-in arrival. Site will try to open on Friday evening for pre-inspection and practice runs and pit set-up. Participation on Friday evening will be optional. |
| February 28, 2010 | FTC Oregon Championship South Meadows Middle School 4690 Southeast Davis Road Hillsboro, Oregon |
Time schedule will be announced, teams should prepare for an early morning check-in arrival. Site will open on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. for pre- inspection and practice runs and pit set-up. Participation on Saturday will be optional. |
Oregon FIRST TECH Challenge QUALIFYING EVENT REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
*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.
HOT SHOT FIELD USE AT Portland TechShop UNAVAILABLE as of 2/8/10
February 8, 2010 - Today we learned that the Portland TechShop closed its doors and is the process of moving to a new location. Teams will be unable to practice at the Allen Blvd. location. We are looking for an alternate site. We thank Denny Cole for being a gracious host and community partner to our teams.
