The University of Mississippi FIRST TECH CHALLENGE KICKOFF CENTER FOR MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE EDUCATION

Dr. John OHaver Director, Center for Mathematics and Science Education Welcome and Remarks

Mannie Lowe Program Manager, FIRST Tech Challenge Center for Mathematics and Science Education FTC

Inaugural Year in Mississippi From 4 teams to 23 teams Supported 19 Rookie teams with over $25,000 worth of parts, laptops, and training Great Game – Ring It Up! 8 Training Seminars 4 Scrimmages (CoLin, Brandon, Gulfport, Oxford) Championship Tournament with 21 teams here at Ole Miss FTC Student Video FTC 2012 – The Year in Review

Results Inspire Award: Techno Warriors Advanced #3486 Winning Alliance: Techno Warriors Advanced #3486, Tempest #6556, LEGO Machina #6809 Finalist Alliance: ChargerBots #6516, Hawks #3715, West Lincoln Robotics #6704 Think Award: Hawks #3715 PTC Design Award: ChargerBots #6516 Rockwell Collins Innovate Award: Team Purple Thunder #5963 Connect Award: West Lincoln Robotics #6704 Motivate Award: Enterprise Engineering Corps #6385 Judges Award (Stay Positive): Neshoba Central Middle School #6839 & #6840 Affiliate Partners Award: Michelle Robinson Two teams attended the World Championships 3486 – Finalist for Motivate Award 5963 – Highest ranked rookie team in Franklin Division Mississippi FTC Awards

Program and Team Growth Qualifying Tournament System First Class Championship Tournament Super Regionals Off-Season Event 2013 – Plans and Goals

Kickoff numbers Last year: 4 registered at Kickoff Last year # teams: 23 total This year (so far): 25 teams Continue growth through end of year to meet goal Minimum Goal 40 teams Stretch Goal 50 teams Program Growth

FIRST Grant First year teams receive a $500 grant that covers the $275 registration fee + $225 towards the purchase of a robot kit Grants are about to expire (only ~150 left nationwide) Mississippi Rookie Team Grant CMSE purchases Robot Kit of Parts ($1000), Use of Laptop ($500), Coach training ($250) and Coach/Teacher stipend at end of year ($250). Mississippi Second Year Team Grant CMSE purchases about $400 of robot and electronic parts and tools for each team plus a Coach/Teacher stipend at end of the year ($250) Team Growth

New COTS items #25 and #35 chain, belts, pulleys, springs, 4 or less wheels No EV3 (yet). Must use NXT MATRIX kit legal in North America Video Cameras Only to record on the camera – No WiFi Movement and Power labels – REQUIRED Samostat and Program Chooser on the NXT Self-inspection highly recommended New Robot Parts and Rules

Mississippi Championship Only – Not for Qualifiers Control Award - programming/sensor use demonstrates innovative thinking in the control system to solve game challenges such as autonomous operation, enhancing mechanical systems with intelligent control, or using sensors to achieve better results on the field. Promote Award - 60 second video submission most successful in creating a compelling video message for the public designed to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math. Create a one-minute PSA video that begins with the following sentence: Leadership is Compass Award – 60 second video submission recognizes an adult Coach or Mentor who has provided outstanding guidance and support for a team throughout the year. New Awards

Whats a Qualifying Tournament? Smaller size (12-16 teams) Hosted and staffed by teams or other groups (i.e. Community Colleges) Host responsible for venue, volunteers, and game day logistics CMSE is responsible for training, trophies, field, and electronics Gives teams an opportunity to compete at more than one event How does it work? Judging, Inspection, Matches, and Awards are the same Specific teams qualify for the next round as outlined in Part I of the Game Manual. 4-5 teams from each qualifier earn spot for MS Championship Cost: $50 to register Qualifying Tournaments

11/2/13 – TBD Qualifier Target area is Northeast MS – location TBD 11/9/13 – Copiah-Lincoln Qualifier Hosted by Copiah-Lincoln Community College 12/14/13 – TBD Qualifier Target area is Gulf Coast – location TBD 1/11/14 – Lafayette Qualifier Hosted by Lafayette RoboDores #6076 1/18/14 – Jackson Qualifier Hosted by Techno Warriors Advanced #3486 November qualifiers?? Yes! Qualifier Schedule

Saturday, February 8, 2014 – Jackson Avenue Center Inspection and Practice Friday evening 2/ teams will compete Based on Qualifying Tournaments All awards will be distributed Cost: $100 to register Full day event Mississippi Championships

Super Regionals

Country divided into 4 areas Mississippi is in the South Super Region Teams from the States/Regional Championships (12) qualify to attend their Super Regional Why? More opportunities to play and advance More ways to play against other high caliber teams South Super Regional – San Antonio, TX 72 Teams will be invited (planned) February 26-28, 2014 Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center How many advance from Mississippi? TBD – Waiting to hear from FIRST Super Regionals

Updated Web site or New blog on site under Current Info page Can comment on blog blasts will be posted Event page will have clickable events Registration for Qualifiers, Scrimmage, and other events Communications

Facebook Page Like the page for updates, blasts Follow us for updates Communications

9/7/13 – Kickoff 10/12/13 – Scrimmage – Lafayette High School 11/2/13 – TBD Qualifier (NE Mississippi??) 11/9/13 – Copiah-Lincoln Qualifier 12/14/13 – TBD Qualifier (Gulf Coast??) 1/11/14 – Lafayette Qualifier 1/18/14 – Jackson Qualifier 2/7-8/14 – Mississippi Championship – Univ of MS 2/26-28/14 – South Super Regional – San Antonio, TX March-April – After season event Scrimmages and Workshops can be scheduled on other dates (some unavailable) Calendar of Events

Any questions about season logistics? Prior to Game Reveal

Game Reveal Promise Before we go any further… The Promise… I promise not to release, disclose, post, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram, Vine, disseminate, show, circulate, distribute, or broadcast any of the following material in ANY manner prior to 2:30 PM today!

Unveil the field Show the animation Walk around the field Q&A about the game Breakout Discussions The FTC Game

Reminders: Everyone: NO WORD OF THIS ONLINE UNTIL 2:30 PM See me if you are interested in hosting a Qualifier Register your team with FIRST if you havent done so Close before Breakouts

Thank You!