Timeline of a (NYC) FRC Session/Regional

Transcript

1. frcawards@nycfirst.org Timeline of a FRC Season/Regional Jeanne Boyarsky NYC Awards Committee Chair January 10, 2026 frcawards@nycfirst.org speakerdeck.com/boyarsky
2. frcawards@nycfirst.org Timeline
3. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org January • Kickoff • Order supplies – FIRST Choice closes 1/19 • Prototyping/planning/CAD • Start building! • Deans/WFFA/Impact materials should be mostly done (ask us for review!)
4. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org February – awards dates for regionals Award Due Submit Comments Woodie Flowers Finalist Feb 5 Essay Judged by past WFA winners Dean’s List Feb 5 Essay Onsite interview Nominate 1 or 2 students Impact Feb 12 Essay, executive summary questions Onsite presentation/ interview
5. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org February • Building/coding • “Week 0” – watch online to see field/dynamics (around February 22)
6. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Before Your First Regional • Unofficial robot inspection – checklist • Complete initial auton development • Get ready for judging • Who participating in pit judging • Who presenting for Impact (if submitted) • Deans List Practice Contact us for practice! (frcawards@nycfirst.org)
7. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org March Matches to Watch • First four weeks of regionals – watch some online!
8. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 6-8: Gotham Regional (Compressed Format) Monday • Approximately 3-8pm (exact time TBD) • Includes: • Load in • Robot Inspections • Drivers meeting • (Minimal) evening practice matches • Can bring as many people on team as want • Setup/pit/start working on robot immediately
9. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 6-8: Gotham Regional (Compressed Format) Tuesday • Approximately 8:00-6:00 (exact time TBD) • Includes: • Qualification Matches • Deans List and Impact interviews • Pit judging • Volunteer of the Year and WFFA Awards
10. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 6-8: Gotham Regional (Compressed Format) Wednesday • Approximately 8-6:30pm (exact time depends on matches) • Includes: • Qualification matches • Pit judging (if needed) • Alliance selections • Playoff matches • Team Award Presentations • If competing in both Gotham and NYC, can leave your robot/pit
11. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 9-12: NYC Regional (Full Format) Day 0: Thursday • Approximately 5:30-7:30pm (exact time TBD) • Includes: • Load in • Setup pit • No more than 5 people (one of whom must be an adult) • Only pit setup; no robot work
12. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 9-12: NYC Regional (Full Format) Friday • Approximately 8:30-6:00pm (exact time TBD) • Includes: • Remaining load ins • Robot Inspections • Drivers meeting • Afternoon practice matches • Full day of robot inspections • Half day of practice matches
13. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 9-12: NYC Regional (Full Format) Saturday • Approximately 8:00-6:00 (exact time TBD) • Includes: • Qualification Matches • Deans List and Impact interviews • Pit judging • Volunteer of the Year and WFFA Awards
14. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April 9-12: NYC Regional (Full Format) Sunday • Approximately 8-6:30pm (exact time depends on matches) • Includes: • Qualification matches • Pit judging (if needed) • Alliance selections • Playoff matches • Team Award Presentations • If competing in both Gotham and NYC, can leave your robot/pit
15. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org April Matches to Watch • April 16-19 – District Championships • Saturday: Michigan, California, Texas, etc • Sunday: Ontario, Indiana, Wisconsin • April 30-May 2 – Championships • Saturday: watch online (if not going)
16. frcawards@nycfirst.org Awards
17. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Why try for awards • Motivation/recognition • Speaking/writing skills • Deepens learning/reflection • Trophy for lab/workspace • Advancement points • Helps with fundraising • Inspire others
18. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org For more details and tips • https://speakerdeck.com/boyarsky/mentor-conference-presentation • frcawards@nycfirst.org • Outline feedback • Essay review • Remote practice interviewing Please don’t wait until the night before to contact us!
19. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Machine Attribute Awards Award Description Highlights Autonomous consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomous (i.e. non-operated guided) actions during match play. Creativity component, concept, or attribute that enhances strategy of play that was intentionally designed Excellence in Engineering engineering solution designed to have components work together seamless Industrial Design Industrial design striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics Innovation in Control control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions Quality machine robustness in concept and fabrication.
20. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Team Attribute Awards Award Description Highlights Engineering Inspiration advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization and community Gracious Professionalism demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism, sportsmanship, and working together both on and off the playing field Imagery attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance Team Spirit enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST. Team Sustainability sustainable practices that focus on a “triple bottom line” (i.e.People, Prosperity, and Planet) to have a positive impact and achieve long-term continuity
21. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Optional Awards Award Description Highlights Judges unique efforts, performance, or dynamics merit recognition Rising All Star persisted through challenges, despite the difficulties of being young. This could be the result of being a new team, or a team with recent turnover Rookie All Star young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST
22. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Other Awards Award Description Volunteer of the Year Awarded by subset of planning committee Safety All Star Goes to a safety captain student on day 2 and 3 based on nominations from other safety captains Ken Vessey Award Local regional (unofficial) award
23. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Submitted Awards Award About Woodie Flowers Finalist • Recognize a mentor • Students write a 3K character essay Impact • Model team, embodies FIRST mission • Executive summary: Thirteen 500 character questions • 10K character essay • “Optional” question to get feedback from judgings • “Optional” video • 1-3 students present/interview at regional Deans List • Nominate 1-2 students per team • Mentors answer xix 800 character questions and one 500 character question • Student interviews at regional
24. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org FIRST Resources • List of awards, criteria, sample questions: https://info.firstinspires.org/hubfs/web/program/frc/awards/award- workbook.pdf • Judge manual (if want to read details): https://www.firstinspires.org/hubfs/web/program/frc/awards/judge- manual.pdf?hsLang=en
25. frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Call for Volunteers! • Competing at NYC? Volunteer at Gotham • Competing at Gotham? Volunteer at NYC