Jim Beck

Jul 26, 2017 By Frank Merrick

In memoriam of Regional Director, Jim Beck.

Scorekeeper Aug. 29 2023| 0 KB

Content Type:
(19)

The Scorekeeper for FIRST Robotics Competition is a key volunteer position. Scorekeepers manage and operate the Field Management System (FMS) software for scoring and field control of FIRST Robotics Competition matches. They communicate scores, play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play, and assist with maintaining the pace of the event.

*Must sign a Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement prior to start of service.

Responsibilities

  • Primary operator of the Field Management System software
  • Work with the FTA to test and operate the playing field electronics
  • Communicate with Game Announcer, MC, and A/V staff to display Match Results and Awards
  • Enter alliance team pairings and award winners into FMS
  • Print materials to be distributed to Lead Queuer, Pit Administration Supervisor, etc.
  • May assist with assembly and disassembly of Field Management System and playing field

Experience and Skills Needed

  • Must be post-high school or equivalent
  • Minimum age: 18
    • Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
  • FIRST experience is preferred, but not required
  • Ability to collaborate with others, work as a member of a team
  • Detail oriented and able to focus on the task for long periods of time
  • Concise communication skills
  • Working knowledge of the competition game and tournament rules
  • Competent computer skills; experience with Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Self-directed individual
  • Strong assessment skills

Volunteer Time Commitment

  • Pre-event training calls and pre-recorded training videos
  • Set-Up Day (Optional but preferred)
  • Minimum 2 full day commitment (Districts)
  • Minimum 3 full day commitment (Regionals)

Note: Event schedules vary. Please check the event schedule and talk to your Volunteer Coordinator for detailed information on when you are expected to arrive. Volunteers should arrive on site 15-20 minutes prior to the start of every shift to allow time to check in at the Volunteer Registration table.

Training

Scorekeeper Trainer: Jason Proulx

Training Sessions: All training sessions contain different content. Scorekeepers should plan to attend all webinars and review all training materials provided on the FRC Scorekeeper Box Folder.

*The Scorekeeper Training can be found online in Box.com and a link to the training folder will also be sent via email by the Trainer/FIRST HQ for those assigned by the deadline.

Reporting Relationships and Supervision

  • Direct Guidance and Supervision: FIRST Technical Advisor
  • On-Site Support: FIRST Technical Advisor and Volunteer Coordinator

 

* Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

Emcee Aug. 29 2023| 0 KB

Content Type:
(18)

The Emcee for FIRST Robotics Competition is a key volunteer role. The Emcee is the individual primarily responsible for setting the tone of the competition. They create and sustain an exciting, fun atmosphere throughout the event. The Emcee ensures the smooth flow of match play, maintains the pace of the event, and can significantly impact the quality of the competition.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for setting the tone of the competition
  • Works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
  • Ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event
  • Work closely with the FTA to maintain schedule and flow of the event
  • Participate in pre-event training
  • High profile position, audible and visible presence at competition
  • Sets the pace of the event; impact overall quality of event
  • Cultivate support for FIRST programs
  • Attend the daily morning meetings if directed by the Event Manager

Experience and Skills Needed

  • FIRST experience strongly preferred, but not required
  • Must be post-high school or equivalent
  • Minimum age: 18
    • Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
  • Prior experience as an emcee for a FIRST program(s) is helpful
  • Comfortable using a microphone and addressing a large crowd; vocally energetic
  • Outgoing personality; high energy; sense of humor, creative, observant, mature
  • Public speaking experience highly preferred; TV/radio/acting experience ideal
  • Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
  • Self-directed individual
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Work well in a fast-paced environment
  • Collaborates & takes direction well
  • Physically active role; Ability to move about the field and stand for long periods of time

 

Volunteer Time Commitment

  • Pre-event training calls
  • Practice Day (if applicable) - observe practice matches and become familiar with the game and teams.
  • Minimum 2 full day commitment 

Note: Event schedules vary. Please check the event schedule and talk to your Volunteer Coordinator for detailed information on when you are expected to arrive. Volunteers should arrive on site 15-20 minutes prior to the start of every shift to allow time to check in at the Volunteer Registration table.

Training

Provided by FIRST HQ prior to the start of competition season. May include: conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support. 

Emcee Trainer: Blair Hundertmark

Emcee & Game Announcer Training Materials

Reporting Relationships and Supervision

  • On-Site Support: Event Manager and Volunteer Coordinator

 

* Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook.

Game Announcer Aug. 29 2023| 0 KB

Content Type:
(15)

The Game Announcer for FIRST Robotics Competition is a key volunteer position. They work as part of a team with the Emcee to energize the teams and spectators to generate interest and enthusiasm throughout the matches. Game Announcers ensure the smooth flow of match play, maintain the pace of the event, and can significantly impact the quality of the competition.

Responsibilities

  • High profile position, audible presence at competition
  • Participate in training opportunities offered by FIRST
  • Announce play-by-play commentary for each match
  • Works as a team with the Emcee to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
  • Work closely with the Head Referee and Scorekeeper in announcing scores and penalties
  • Seek and announce unique information specific to individual teams

Experience and Skills Needed

  • FIRST experience strongly preferred, but not required
  • Must be post-high school or equivalent
  • Minimum age: 18 
    • Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
  • Public speaking experience highly preferred; TV/radio/acting experience ideal
  • Comfortable using a microphone and addressing a large crowd; vocally energetic
  • Observant, creative, focused, quick thinking, high-stamina
  • Work well in a fast-paced environment
  • Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
  • Ability to produce real-time commentary during matches 
  • Ability to collaborate with others

Volunteer Time Commitment

  • Pre-event Training calls
  • Practice Day (optional) - observe practice matches and become familiar with the game and teams. No Announcing.
  • Minimum 2 full day commitment

Note: Event schedules vary. Please check the event schedule and talk to your Volunteer Coordinator for detailed information on when you are expected to arrive. Volunteers should arrive on site 15-20 minutes prior to the start of every shift to allow time to check in at the Volunteer Registration table.

Training

Provided by FIRST HQ prior to the start of competition season. May include conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support. 

Game Announcer Trainer: Blair Hundertmark

Emcee and Game Announcer Training Materials

Reporting Relationships and Supervision

  • On-Site Support: Event Manager and Volunteer Coordinator

 

* Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook.

Monster Weekend

Jul 24, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick.

 

2017 Festival of Champions Monster Weekend

Bark Growl Bark Growl Bark Bark

 

We’ve got a monster* weekend on tap. It’s chockers. Here’s a list of what’s going to happen Thursday through Saturday this week:

Job Openings in FIRST Robotics Competition

Jul 18, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick.

 

This Could be You!

Mechanical Engineering Postings FIRST Robotics Competition

I got a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT for this?

 

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

Featured Image

Display Title

Bringing engineering opportunities to Title I schools

Sub Title

Lawrence High School

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1289, Gearheadz, of Lawrence, Massachusetts

Lawrence High School, part of a largely Hispanic, Title I urban school district in Massachusetts, aims to provide students with high-quality enrichment opportunities comparable to those available to their suburban peers. With opportunities for hands-on STEM engagement, FIRST fits that bill.

Background

Lawrence Public Schools, a high-poverty Title 1 school district in Massachusetts, serves 14,000 students. More than 90 percent of the students are Hispanic, 63 percent are economically disadvantaged, and 31 percent are English language learners. Though resources are constrained, Lawrence High School aims to provide students with high-quality enrichment opportunities.

Providing Opportunities

With the support of local team Sponsors and a group of dedicated Mentors, Lawrence started a FIRST Robotics Competition team in 2004. Each year, the robotics team welcomes a diverse group of up to 60 students to gain confidence, leadership skills, and hands-on engineering experience. The team has helped reluctant students graduate, students who excel in math and science discover engineering, and many more promising students find scholarships, internships, and jobs.

Student Spotlight

Miguel De Jesus joined the team as a shy freshman, but with the encouragement of the Mentors, he came out of his shell to become a confident public speaker and the team’s president. Miguel plans to join the military after graduating Lawrence. “I don’t really know where I would be if it weren’t for what robotics has taught me when it comes to communications, sportsmanship, and technology,” he said.

“It was really empowering that I had a group of friends and Mentors who were patient with me, and willing to show me how to build. I think I had been really intimidated by engineering, up until that point.” – Cassie Hudson, FIRST Alumna, Gearheadz; Applications Engineer, MagneMotion, Inc., A Rockwell Automation Company


View Case Study


Festival of Champions and Four Stars

Jul 13, 2017 Written by Frank Merrick.

Join us on Twitch for the Festival of Champions broadcast, and don't miss these sweet trophies! Also, for the 12th year, FIRST has been awarded 4 stars by Charity Navigator!

 

David Siegel

David Siegel
Co-Chairman, Two Sigma
Chairman, Siegel Family Endowment

David Siegel is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded Two Sigma, a financial sciences company, with the belief that innovative technology and data science could help discover value in the world’s data. Today, Two Sigma drives transformations across the financial services industry in investment management, venture capital, private equity, real estate, and insurance.

David’s philanthropic efforts underscore his conviction that education, science, and technology are the keys to a better world. In keeping with this vision, he founded Siegel Family Endowment in 2011 to support organizations and leaders that will understand and shape the impact of technology on society.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of the MIT Corporation and is Chairman of the Cornell Tech Council. David also serves as Vice-Chair of the Scratch Foundation, an organization he co-founded in 2014 to support Scratch, a programming language and online community for children. In addition, he is a board member of FIRST, NYC FIRST, Khan Academy, and Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society.

He received his BS in electrical engineering from Princeton and his PhD in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted research at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. David also serves on the board of directors of Hamilton Insurance and Re:Build Manufacturing.

 

FIRST Welcomes FedEx, Two Sigma, and Yale Leaders to Board of Directors

President & CEO of FedEx Custom Critical, Inc., Co-Chairman of Two Sigma Investments, and Deputy Dean of the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science at Yale University Join Board of Global K-12 STEM Organization