FRC Team Update 12-9-2021
Kickoff Update
Kickoff Sites/Directions
Pick Up Location: Door D; Southeast Corner of Building
Parking: North of Tennis Courts or Overflow Lot to the East
FRC Coaches Call
FIN will be holding an FRC coaches call on Thursday, December 16th at 7 PM Eastern to discuss some upcoming items related to the season, including plans for teams that qualify for Houston at the state championship and any questions teams may have about the upcoming season.
We hope to have at least one representative from every team. It can be a coach, parent, etc.
Register for Coaches Call
FRC Blog – Approved Devices Rules Overview
Please take a few moments to read over the most recent blog post from FRC on the approved devices for 2022 and rules overview.
Important Dates
Don’t forget to bookmark this page –
https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/calendar
It has all the official dates for FRC. If changes are made to those dates, that link is where the changes will be. You can also subscribe to any of those dates and put them on your calendar.
1/8/2021 Kickoff
1/8/2021 Virtual Kit Kickoff Release
1/8/2021 FIRST Choice Round 2 Opens
IN-MaC Micro-Grant Program: Connecting Education, Industry, and Community Initiatives focused on industry exposure and experiences
IN-MaC has launched the 2021-22 Micro-Grant Program, awarding dollars to foster the growth of youth and adult manufacturing initiatives around the state of Indiana.
This program aims to provide grant funding to education (K-16), industry, and community-based organizations that implement creative ways to enhance youth and adult experiences in industry.
Ranging from $1,000 – $2,000, the Micro-Grants are designed to support innovation and encourage organizations to dedicate funds towards development and program implementation that impact industry awareness.
IN-MaC has a targeted interest in:
• Projects focused on exposing youth (K-12) to manufacturing through:
- Virtual Experience or Exposure to Industry Careers
- STEM Equipment/Curriculum
- Industry Awareness
- Hands-On Experiences
- Camps
- STEM Related Experiences
• Campaigns focused on efforts to increase exposure and awareness to industry
• Innovative projects that demonstrate creativity and that can serve as a model for other organizations and communities across Indiana
We currently do not fund:
• General or ongoing organizational support (salaries)
• Campaigns for political candidates
Who can apply?
Micro-Grant funds are open to:
• Education (K-16)
• Industry
• Community partners
Apply
IN-MaC is accepting request for proposal (RFP): https://bit.ly/3yVnCuN
Micro-Grant funds will be distributed to organizations once applications are accepted and approved.
Deadline
Grants must be applied for in advance of the opportunity. Retroactive requests will not be accepted. The Grant cycle will run from October 1, 2021– June 1, 2022.
These grants are filled until the money is gone. Get in as soon as possible!
FIRST Indiana Team Survey and Grant Review
Coaches, instead of surveying you a couple of times a year, we have moved to one team survey tool that also allows us to potentially match you to regional grants and sponsorships. If you have received Rolls Royce or Toyota funds in the past we ask you to fill out this survey for continuing eligibility for those sponsorships.
We ask that all FRC teams complete this survey as soon as possible. We use the collected data to try and recruit more regional sponsors, granters, etc.
Complete Survey/Grant Review
FIRST Robotics Day at the Statehouse
FIRST Indiana Robotics will be hosting a day at the statehouse on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. We will have two shifts available for teams to attend. 9 AM-Noon and then Noon – 3 PM.
We have a google form for teams to fill out if you are interested in attending. This year we will be asking teams that plan to attend to also attend one zoom call ahead of time to learn about advocacy and the work we are doing behind the scenes to work with the legislature, Department of Education, and Department of Workforce Development to create a grant fund for FIRST teams in Indiana.
We’d love to have a couple of teams per level during each shift. Please sign up here!
Cross Program Updates
FLL Explore – Thanks to FIRST Alumni and Mentors of Indiana University, we held a remote festival for FLL Explore teams on Saturday, December 4th. We will be holding another remote festival in the spring.
FLL Challenge – The State Championship for FLL Challenge is this Saturday, December 11th at the RB Annis School for Engineering at the University of Indianapolis. It is closed to the public. The event will be streamed live on our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/IndianaRobotics 9 AM – 5 PM Our awards show will be Monday, December 13th at 7 PM Eastern on our YouTube Channel.
FIRST Tech Challenge – League play has begun statewide! Check out the FTC website for details on those events and for ways to volunteer.
Opportunities with FIRST Indiana Robotics
FIRST Indiana Robotics is looking for your input, advice, guidance, etc.!
Board Committees
- Program Support – help provide resources for teams, mentors, students, etc. across all programs. Brad Thompson-bthompson@firstindianarobotics.org
- Development – help work with others at FIN to fundraise, recruit new sponsors, etc. Renee Becker-Blau – rbeckerblau@firstindianarobotics.org
- Finance – do you like accounting, numbers, fiscal policies, etc? We have a role for you! Nathan Petrie – npetrie@Indianafirst.org
- PR & Marketing – press releases, social media, advertising, etc. We need your help to make FIN LOUD! Hugh Meyer – hmeyer@firstindianarobotics.org
Board of Directors
Have you ever thought about sitting on a non-profit board of directors or do you have a parent, mentor, etc. on your team that you think would be a great member of our board of directors? Please reach out to Renee Becker-Blau – rbeckerblau@firstindianarobotics.org