Transcript first
FIRST Strategies: The Competition & Awards Long Island FIRST Robotics Conference Use scouting to develop a strategy Battery management Driver Station & Robot Do not change code with no test time Pre-match check list Pit Scouting Match Scouting Quantitative vs. Qualitative Expected Values Make it Fun! OPR 2/3 of Your Alliance 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 Too late to change robot….. Set time limits Have fail safe plans Winning comes first! Abandon failed objectives Showcase comes second Use your coach (tunnel vision) Don’t fear damage…..don’t be stupid Slow and steady Pick an award and strive for it! Create an awards sub-team Have someone on hand to handle interviews Get a feel for what they are asking Pick features that make you stand out Choose words wisely! ……and HIGHLIGHT them Use key words (robust, industrial, repeatable, sturdy) They will watch the field! Be nice…VERY NICE! 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 Look for events that are “Double-Good” Try to draw funds from the outside Raise money and awareness Avoid hitting parents for cash continually Avoid conflicts with other school clubs Balance time, cost, and profit Go for the unique factor! 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 Everyone must be on the same page for events and fundraisers! Twitter Facebook groups Most frequently checked/last minute changes Email Updates straight to phones Parents can follow with no account Good for parents, mentors, and sponsors Newsletter 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 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! 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) 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 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 FIRST has a list of suggested shots Use a theme Use interviews Team t-shirts should be very clear 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 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 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!