Michigan FTC: Team Eblast 2016.08.14

August 14, 2016

FTC Kickoff Events

FTC Kickoff is right around the corner on Sept. 10, 2016! It is an online release accessible from the FIRST FTC (national) website: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/game-and-season.

There will be several FTC kickoff events around our state with more cropping up every day! Visit the FIRST in Michigan FTC website under FTC Events>2015-2016 Events and scroll down to the bottom of the page to Off Season Events. Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/FTC-Off-Season-Events. Check the Off Season site page for updates and additions: All events listed below will include a Game Reveal of the new season's game that teams can see, touch, measure, take pictures, etc. Note that Game Reveals cannot be unveiled before 12:00pm on Sept. 10th. Some events include workshops with multiple sessions and others are half day. Visit the linked information for a particular event for specifics about it's roll out.

Teams participating at kickoff workshops should bring their Kit of Parts, tools, and team laptop with software loaded in order to make best use of their time at these events. So, it’s important to start the team registration process, apply for the FIRST FTC (national) Team Grant and receive an award decision, then pay your team’s FIRST FTC registration fee and order your parts. Don't forget to tell you team member's families to save the date!

Date(s)	Event	Information & Registration	Contact
September 10, 2016	FTC 2016-2017 Kickoff Events
	At Kettering University, Flint	http://www.mmra.us/events.html; Event Registration Form	Kim Weber
	At GVSU, Grand Rapids	http://ftckickoff.allendalerobotics.com/; Event Registration Form	Chad Potinsky
	At Freeland Elementary, Freeland	Event Flyer RSVP to event contact	Charlie Snider

FIRST Robotics on "The Fosters" - Monday, Aug. 15th, 8pm

Check out Monday, Aug. 15th episode of the "The Fosters" which features a plot line with a FIRST Robotics (FRC) Competition! For more information, visit Frank Merrick's (Director of FRC) blog spot: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/FIRST-on-The-Fosters.

Season Information Links:

2016-2017 Team Start Up Guide

2016-2017 Equipment Recommendations

2016-2017 Grant Information (to date)

Archived Eblasts

In case your team has just joined us or perhaps can't find FIRST FTC's latest eblast in your Inbox: here is the link to the FIRST FTC team email archives: http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/team-email-blasts.

FIRST in Michigan FTC archived eblasts can be found on the Announcements blog linked to the landing page of the FIRST in Michigan FTC site. Remember that only the Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and Coach/Mentor 2 for each team receive the FIRST FTC national and FIRST in Michigan FTC eblasts. Please share pertinent information with your team members and their families!

Go Teams!