FIRST announces funding for new FTC teams

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From FIRST website:

As a result of generous contributions from several FIRST supporters, FIRST is able to announce an exciting new FTC Rookie Team Grant program for the 2013/2014 FTC Season. All new North American teams are now able to receive a $500 grant to ease their entry into the program. This grant will be applied to offset registration fees and to reduce the cost of purchasing the reusable robot kits used to compete.

Go to http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/registration to get started.

2013-14 FTC team registration is open and the cost for 2013-14 is $275. That fee allows you to register for locally organized competitions, gives your team access to discounted robot kits and parts, a free copy of National Instruments LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS 2012 and access to the FTC Game and Robot Forum.

Photo: Adriana M. Groisman

Photo: Adriana M. Groisman

For more info on Starting an FTC team or on Delaware’s Diamond State FTC, see here.

Smithsonian reporters: From Denmark to Delaware

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When the Smithsonian magazine assigned a reporter and photographer to cover the story of LEGO and FIRST for an article on ideas and innovation, we were happy to have them to see the multi-age multi-level FSR Championship event at the Bob Carpenter Center last January.

Every year, the event is one of the largest single-day robotics competitions of its kind in the world and three program events take place in the same venue. This was the tenth anniversary year and over 100 student teams from six states participated, with students ranging in age from six to eighteen.

The article is available online, “How Lego Is Constructing the Next Generation of Engineers”

Read here:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ideas-innovations/How-Lego-Is-Constructing-the-Next-Generation-of-Engineers-204137981.html#ixzz2YQ9MA5AS
There are additional pictures on the photographer’s web site: http://elimeirkaplan.com/blog/?p=1484

FIRST Lego League Team registration opens May 2013

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Important Dates!

DE FSFLL Director, Lou Rosanio reminds new and returning mentors that FLL registration opens in May for 2013 competition season, Nature’s Fury. Registration remains open until all slots are filled- usually in late September. Robot Kits and field kits will begin to ship in May and August– but you must register your team first!

Introducing  the 2013 Challenge!

Nature’s Fury Project Video- here

Nature’s Fury Robot Mission Video- here

Jr. FLL team registration opens August 1 for the new challenge, Disaster Blaster.

To register for FLL, go to https://gofll.usfirst.org/

First State Event registration opens in October–event qualifiers for FLL and the Expo events for Jr. FLL. To learn more, visit their website: http://www.firststatefll.org/.