October 5, 2022 Newsletter
Special Announcement
Event Preferencing
2nd round preferencing is here! As a reminder, these are the 2023 events for MN, ND, and SD:
- Lake Superior and Northern Lights Regionals in Duluth, MN, March 1-4, 2023
- Great Northern Regional in Grand Forks, ND, March 8-11, 2023
- North Star @ La Crosse in La Crosse, WI, March 23-26, 2023 (note: Thursday to Sunday event)
- 10,000 Lakes presented by Medtronic in Minneapolis, MN, March 29 – April 1, 2023
Please remember:
- The wait list at all of our events is slightly larger than normal in case we need to move teams or volunteers between events.
- 10,000 Lakes presented by Medtronic is a wait list only event. Spots need to be held for teams who only compete at this event.
- If you can ONLY attend 10,000 Lakes, please list this as your preferred event and DO NOT list a 2nd preference. Also, email Nicole or Ken to express your need.
Important Announcements
- Team Grants are available NOW! Remember to ask your mentors, as some businesses only allow grant requests from employees. Team grants close October 31, so go check out the list today.
- Elevate Your Game Training presented by 2022 FRC World Champion Team 1619 – Up-A-Creek Robotics, and sponsored by Toro Robotics will cover a wide variety of topics designed to help your team improve its on-field performance in FIRST Robotics Competition events. All FRC teams, from Rookies to Super-Veterans, will find something of value during the course of the day. This event is FREE OF CHARGE! Lunch and snacks will be provided. Saturday, November 5th from 9am-5pm. RSVP to Mike Ott to save your spot at training.
- 2023 Minnesota State High School League Tournament
MSHSL and FUM are excited to share that the 2023 tournament will once again be held at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus on May 6th, 2023. We will share more details in the coming months including the qualification process. -
Kick-off your FIRST® Robotics season by attending the fourth annual Jumpstart by Medtronic. We are so excited to be back in person at Medtronic Operational Headquarters in Fridley on Saturday, November 12th. Teams are also encouraged to submit an abstract to present at Jumpstart. Presentations will be 40 minutes in length. Topics of interest to teams include everything from writing an Impact Award submission to building technical skills in the off season. Agenda and attendee details will be shared at jumpstartrobotics.org in the coming weeks. Register today!
Quick Bites of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
FIRST makes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities that request accommodation. If a participant needs an accommodation for an event, please talk to a volunteer at the event or contact your Regional Directors (Nicole Schossow or Ken Rosen) before the regional event competitions so they can work with event staff and volunteers to help ensure the accommodation is provided. Accommodations are determined reasonable given they do not create an undue hardship or cause safety concerns.
Pro Tip
Bookmark and check the official FIRST calendar on a regular basis! This link will be your direct connection to all deadlines for team registrations, event preferencing, kit of parts opt- in/opt-out, and awards submissions. important registrations, events, and awards submission dates. FIRST deadlines are hard and fast; it is easier to assist teams before deadlines than to ask for changes after deadlines pass.
Mentor Gems
Do you have questions for fellow mentors? Ask here and see the responses in a future newsletter.
Most recent question: What do you take into consideration when choosing which regional event to attend?
Answer: So many things!
- Timing – is it over break, finals, holidays
- Timing – is it week 1 or week 5
- Location – how far is travel, are there hotels around/close by
- Venue – large or small? how many teams are allowed? bleachers vs. seats
- Competition – this is harder, but some teams have typical events
- Our team will discuss together and usually let the students decide as long as it is reasonable – they have jokingly pitched Hawaii or Australia but usually they understand 2 plays local would be half the expense and since they earn the money it is never a battle.
Next Question: Before I went to my first competition, I wish I knew…
Answer here