1. FIRST Kickoff Seminar
Team 1403
January 4, 2014

2. Represents the spirit of FIRST. It honors the
team that, in the judges’ estimation, best
represents a model for other teams to
emulate. It embodies the goals and mission
of FIRST. It remains our most prestigious
award.

3. "To transform our culture by creating a world where
science and technology are celebrated and where
young people dream of becoming science and
technology leaders."
-Dean Kamen, Founder

4. “Our mission is to inspire young people to be
science and technology leaders, by engaging them
in exciting mentor-based programs that build
science, engineering and technology skills, that
inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life
capabilities including self-confidence,
communication, and leadership.”

5. 


Special emphasis on recent accomplishments this
year and the preceding 2 years.
All NASA Grant Teams must prepare a
Chairman’s Award submission – even rookie
teams that are not eligible to win the award.
Woodie Flowers Candidate must be submitted at
one district event/regional

6. 






Essay – 10,000 characters, including spaces and
punctuation
Optional 4 photos totaling no more than 1.0Mb
Executive Summary
DVD – 1 to 3 minutes in length, submitted to judges at
Chairman’s Presentation
Submit at every district/regional event
Submit essay, photos and executive summary via
STIMS (https://my.usfirst.org/stims/site.lasso)
Submission Deadline – 12:00 pm ET February 13,
2014

7. 


Team Story – spreading the FIRST mission
Focus on current year and previous 2 years
Impact FIRST has on the learning experience of the:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦





Students
School
Curriculum
Engineers/Mentors
Community at large
Explain why the team is a role model
Year round commitment
The experience of people working together toward a shared goal
Limited to 10,000 characters, including spaces and punctuation
Optional 4 photos totaling no more than 1.0Mb

8. 








Team name
Sponsors
Impact of the FIRST program on team participants
How your team is a role model
How your team impacts the community
Innovative methods to spread the FIRST message
Strength of your teams partnerships
Communication methods and results
Other matters of interest

9. 







1 to 3 minutes in length
Widescreen aspect ratio (16:9)
Free of copyright restrictions, including music
Must be in English
May not contain any obscene or suggestive language, or
inappropriate content, which will result in a disqualification
Provide DVD to judges at the district/regional/championship
event
Although it is a requirement, the DVD is not part of the judging
process, unless it contains inappropriate content
Teams that do not submit a DVD will not be considered
eligible for the Chairman’s Award

10. 

Schedule interview time at Pit Administration
Interviews are 10 minutes
◦ 5 minute presentation which includes set-up time
◦ 5 minute questions & answers led by the judges

No more than 3 team members

11. 
Judges Focus:
◦ Activities over a sustained period
◦ Not just the 6 week build season
◦ Not just about the robot

Besides the Chairman’s submission package the
judges may also utilize the Judges Information
Page (https://my.usfirst.org/frc/tims/site.lasso)

12. 




5 minutes max, includes introductions and set-up
Summarize team accomplishments
What FIRST means to team members
How team portrays the FIRST Mission
May use video or other props
◦ Must bring equipment to present
◦ Included as part of the 5 minute presentation

13. 



Do:
Rehearse – 5 Minute Presentation
Dress appropriately
Introduce yourself to judges – shake
hands firmly
Hand each judge your Chairman’s
package
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦






Essay
Executive Summary
DVD (one copy only)
Self-confidence
Communication skills
Leadership
Demonstrate
Smile
Good eye contact
Poise
Posture
Allude Gracious Professionalism
Do not:

Interrupt one another

Appear unprepared

Make up answers to questions

Appear distracted, nervous or
unprofessional

Slouch

Use inappropriate language

14. 
Prepare 3 binders with:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Essay
Executive summary
DVD; 1 – 3 minutes in length
Team history
Community outreach
Newspaper articles on team
Accolades
Letters of recognition
Thank you’s
Business plan

17. JUDGES' INFORMATION
 The Judges’ Information is a team overview page. It is your team’s
opportunity to share valuable information and statistics with FIRST
and the judges at the events. These data are very valuable for
planning events and very helpful in our efforts to procure funding.
FIRST may use the robot photos you submit in the Awards
Ceremonies. Enter the information under the “Judges’ Information”
section in TIMS.
 The purpose of the Judges’ Information page is to provide:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
a common starting point for judging each team
insight for judges into team's workings
History
Goals
Strengths
Robot
team data for FIRST and its archives.

18. FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION WEBSITE
 Visit the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) area on
the usfirst.org where you can find answers to
administrative concerns and link to other areas of
support.
 Check deadlines and dates for the Team Information
Management System (TIMS), entries, grants,
registration and payments, robot shipment, and awards
submissions.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.asp
x?id=454

19. THE TIMS - SUPPLYING INFORMATION TO FIRST
 The TIMS is the online system used by the Main and Alternate
Contacts of the team to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Create a Team Profile
Register for events
Enter Kit and Kickoff Preferences
Enter Judge’s Information (for awards)
Accept students to the team, track their electronic Consent and
Release Forms, print a Team Roster, and assign students to
submit for key awards and track their progress.
The TIMS additionally provides options to allow teams to
register themselves as a team willing to mentor others, or for a
team to identify itself as a team in need of mentoring.

20. Main Contact Responsibilities
 The Main Contact is the primary contact who provides team
information to FIRST and undertakes key actions on behalf of the
team via the TIMS. It is recommended this role is filled by the lead
mentor of the team. This person may choose to delegate some of the
responsibilities listed below, but should still be up to date with their
progress and ensure their completion. This position must be held by
one over the age of 18. Award Submissions: Assign student
submitters in TIMS. Ensure submissions of Woodie Flowers,
Website, Chairman’s, and other Awards by the respective deadlines.
Find details in the “Awards” section of the FRC Manual. Review
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=440