FIRST Strategies:
The Competition & Awards
Long Island
FIRST Robotics Conference
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Use scouting to develop a strategy
Battery management
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Driver Station & Robot
Do not change code with no test time
Pre-match check list
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Pit Scouting
Match Scouting
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
 Expected Values
 Make it Fun!
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OPR
2/3 of Your Alliance
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Look for combinations
A 28 team pick list
A “Do Not Pick List”
Declining?
Breaking up an alliance?
Send a confident student
Risk: Reliable vs. One Hit Wonders
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Too late to change robot…..
Set time limits
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Have fail safe plans
Winning comes first!
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Abandon failed objectives
Showcase comes second
Use your coach (tunnel vision)
Don’t fear damage…..don’t be stupid
Slow and steady
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Pick an award and strive for it!
Create an awards sub-team
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Have someone on hand to handle interviews
Get a feel for what they are asking
Pick features that make you stand out
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Choose words wisely!
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……and HIGHLIGHT them
Use key words (robust, industrial, repeatable, sturdy)
They will watch the field!
Be nice…VERY NICE!
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Winner is eligible for championships
Awarded for spreading word of FIRST
Previous winners have:
Been involved with FLL teams
 Run engineering/robotics camps
 Brought robot to elementary schools
 Started robotics courses in high school
 Contacted politicians about importance of FIRST
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Look for events that are “Double-Good”
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Try to draw funds from the outside
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Raise money and awareness
Avoid hitting parents for cash continually
Avoid conflicts with other school clubs
Balance time, cost, and profit
Go for the unique factor!
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HUGE help with distributing work load!!!!
Help organize travel plans
Work with mentors from school
Promote fundraising
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Parent Booster clubs are big financial helps
Help organize events and sales
Provide money to for fundraiser initial costs
Work with students to find grants
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Everyone must be on the same page for events
and fundraisers!
Twitter
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Facebook groups
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Most frequently checked/last minute changes
Email
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Updates straight to phones
Parents can follow with no account
Good for parents, mentors, and sponsors
Newsletter
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Find the list online
There is a award reachable for every team
Robot awards vs. Non-robot awards
Know the awards, know the criteria
Normally receive two copies
Team/School
 Team/Sponsor
 Team/Grandma’s House
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Most prestigious of all FIRST awards
Given to the team that best embodies the
“spirit of FIRST”
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In other words….Best All Around!
EVERY TEAM should go for this award
Why?
It will make your team better
 Robotics aside, it will make you do good things!
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You will need:
A good robot
 A great team structure
 A great relationship with the community
 A great relationship with industry/school
 To be good role-models
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 For other teams
 For “future engineers” (young kids)
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Submit online, meet the STRICT deadline
Must pick a regional to submit to
Pick a few passionate kids to write it
It’s ok to talk about previous years
Make the IMPACT of FIRST clear
Impact on you
 Impact on community
 Impact on school
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Explain important team activities
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Usually 4 photos
Should represent your team!
Not set picture types
I recommend one of each:
1- Working photo
 1- Learning/teaching photo
 1- Fun team photo w/ robot
 1- Special events/inspiring
others photos
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FIRST has a list of suggested shots
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Use a theme
Use interviews
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Team t-shirts should be very clear
Have the person restate the question in the response
Watch other videos on YouTube
Tell a story
Follow all rules!!!
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Issues are common with music rights
3 minutes
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Who to bring?
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Up to three people
Students or mentors
Just an opinion…
 Bring one younger student (a future leader)
 The judges have very good memories
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What to bring?
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Letters of reference
Newspaper articles
Photo collage
Team handbooks
Props are OK
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PRESENT your team
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You get 5 minutes,
they get 5 minutes
Don’t be afraid!
Be convinced the
last two years were
the best your team
has ever had
Know who is saying
what and when
Have a game plan!