mark breadner executive director first robotics canada [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Please welcome John Hobbins to the FIRST Canada Staff this year !
Full time FRC Director in Canada this year
WFFA winner
Chairman’s award winner
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Compared to their matched peers, FIRST Alumni are:
✔ 50% more likely to attend college.
✔ 3x more likely to major in engineering.
✔ 9x more likely to have a co-op in freshman year.
✔ 4x more likely to pursue a career in Engineering.
✔ 2.5x more likely to volunteer in the community.
Brandeis University Study
“More Than Robots”
(Funded by Ford Foundation)
FRC Impact – Mentors make a Difference
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cool Stuff we are working on:
Once again World Champions (FLL, now FRC Chairmans)
FLL registration is up and tournaments are running
2 provincial FLL championships this year
New Calgary FRC regional
Tons of new FRC rookie teams (Timmins, Windsor, Ottawa)
Quick Build session at kickoff
Curriculum for FIRST programs
2 new FIRST Trailers with FLL tournaments in a box
More scholarships
Meeting with the Governor General
FIRST Robotics Canada
FRC Events for 2012/13
GTR East – UOIT Capacity 54Montreal Capacity 50Waterloo Capacity 30GTR West Capacity 54Calgary Capacity 40
Ontario Total spots 138
FIRST Headquarters Strategic Plan (2013-2017)
http://www3.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Who/Leadership/BOD/FIRST_Strategic_Plan.pdf
“Make FRC, the ultimate robotics program, more available, accessible, and sustainable – to
enable as many students as possible to have this transformative experience, we will implement a
new, higher-value, lower-cost competition structure that enables students to compete more often
and closer to home, while maintaining the same high-quality FRC experience.”
FIRST District Model
This model has been running in Michigan for 5 years
Basic Concept
-Lower entry cost for new teams-Increase the number of plays for teams for less money-Reduce the amount of time for volunteers at an event *-Make the overall cost of a qualifying event much cheaper
FIRST would like all regions that are large enough to move to the District ModelIn the next 5 years.
Ontario is large enough to be considered for this model in future years.
Basics of the District Model
Item Regional Model District Model
Registration Fee $6500 – 1 play $5000 – 2 plays
Length of Event 3 days 2 days
Locations Hershey Centre University/College/High school
Size of event 40-60 teams 25-40 teams
Audio Visual As is currently Reduced lights and sound
Competition As is – 6 qualifiers per event
Top 64 teams based on points * play in provincial champs
Plays to qualify for Championship
1 3
# Events 3 7, (6 districts, 1 championship)
# Teams Qualifying for Championship
18 18
Other areas being studied
Can swapping occur to allow sharing of teams between districts ?Allow Ontario District teams to travel and still stayin the points system
Effect on Volunteers – more events of a shorter duration
4 new venues for events would be needed- Math – 120 teams, two plays = 240 plays
40 teams/event - 6 eventsplus provincial championshipsYIKES !
- Central, East, West and North likely locations for new district events
Events would take place in Colleges and UniversitiesHigh schools unlikely due to seating issues
Questions ?
If you would like to send your constructive comments on the district modelTo be considered by the committee, please email them to