FIRST Tech Challenge Coaching Teams During a Pandemic Frequently Asked Questions

From ORTOP Wiki

What information/guidelines have come from FIRST Headquarters?

  • Because FIRST serves an international community and pandemic conditions vary widely, it is committed to providing game challenges at all levels; there is the possibility of fully remote tournaments, hybrid events that include some live participation, and of course, fully in-person, live events, such as we’ve enjoyed in years past.
  • FIRST has developed a Remote Hub to host remote/hybrid tournaments; this is still in beta testing, but will be going live in the next couple of months. Teams will have the opportunity to interact with the hub in a practice mode prior to tournament season.
  • Ken Johnson, national director of FIRST Tech Challenge, created a ten-minute video about what can be expected in remote events.

What is the anticipated timeline for the season?

  • While ORTOP is still evaluating what makes the most sense for Oregon, we anticipate many teams will have a delayed start.
  • The anticipated timeline (subject to change!) is:
    • Kickoff will occur on September 12, 2020.
    • FIRST Fair will be held in October/November 2020.
    • National team registration will close in December 2020.
    • Events will begin in February 2021.

How are teams going to participate in remote or hybrid events? What are remote/hybrid events?

  • Remote and hybrid events are the events that will be held through the FIRST Remote Hub, entirely, or in part, depending on the safety restrictions in place. ORTOP hopes that in-person events will be possible later in the season, and that is one of the reasons the season is being extended, but is committed to providing quality events in whatever the circumstances are this year.
  • While the specifics are still being worked out, ORTOP plans to provide half fields to Leagues around the state as team numbers justify. * Teams can participate either on their own half field, or on one of the fields ORTOP provides.
  • The field this year is designed to allow teams to play solo, in their robot/lab area, using a ⅔ field border and ½ game.
  • Teams are encouraged, but not required, to upload videos of their robot runs to the FIRST Remote Hub.
  • During remote events, there will not be a leader board on display during the tournaments, although one will be available after all scoring is completed. Teams will be responsible for honestly and accurately scoring their official matches; these match scores will be recorded by coaches or team members familiar with the rules and scoring. If teams do not have internet access where their game is set up, paper-based scoring will be possible.
  • More details are forthcoming; please watch for emails during the season and check this page and our Pandemic Information page.

Will there be league events?

  • We anticipate having league events, although they may be largely remote with some access to a shared playing field. League events may be less frequent, or less defined by geography this year, depending on the restrictions in the spring. More information will be forthcoming in the next few months.

Will there be qualifying tournaments separate from the leagues this season?

  • No, since the Remote Hub will allow teams a one-week window to complete their tasks we feel this flexibility will accommodate all teams, regardless of location.

What if a coach is involved in more than one program?

  • All of the FIRST challenges will be subject to the safety guidelines put in place by the governor and other local authorities. ORTOP will be staggering the extended seasons of all of the programs; we won’t double book you (or us) for the same weekend!

What financial support is there from FIRST and ORTOP?

  • Both FIRST and ORTOP recognize that this is going to be a particularly challenging year for fundraising and allocating limited funds. While this is an ongoing discussion, there are certain responses already in place:
    • FIRST has delayed the new technology requirements, so teams should not see upgrading as a barrier to participation.
    • ORTOP continues to offer and disperse team grants on a monthly basis, and will do so as long as there are available funds; the first round has already been sent out, and the second is currently under review (as of August 25, 2020). Send in those applications!
    • ORTOP recognizes that, particularly this year, issues of equity and access are going to be magnified. We are engaged in conversations about, and deeply committed to, our mission of opening doors to the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Oregon’s youth by providing educational opportunities featuring robotics with special emphasis on maximizing the diversity of those participating. If you would like to know more about the specific ways in which we are enacting our mission, please contact David Perry, Executive Director ([mailto:[[david-perry@ortop.org]) to be put in touch with the committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Is there going to be more opportunity for coaches to talk with each other about the logistics of the season?

  • Yes! ORTOP will begin hosting regular open networking and discussion sessions. If you would like to help structure those, email Megan Babat at megan-babat@ortop.org.
  • We’ve also started a Wiki to act as a repository for resources for coaches and team members alike. The Wiki can be found at www.ortop.org/wiki, and if you’d like to be part of our editing team send an email to Wiki-Manager@ortop.org.

Are there transcripts of the chat during the recent brainstorming sessions?

  • Yes, they are saved as Google Docs:

Are engineering notebooks still an element of the competition?

  • Yes, very much so. FIRST was already making changes to the requirements for notebooks for this season, and the Remote Hub will reflect the new requirements as well as provide instructions for uploading the notebook pages digitally.

What about the changes anticipated to the technology requirements this season?

  • FIRST has decided not to require different equipment from last year in light of the pandemic.

Will teams still be able to keep their numbers if they don’t register this year, but are able to next year?

  • Yes, teams retain their numbers for a few years before they become inactive.

What are some ideas for how teams could operate during the pandemic?

  • One person per team may be the only hands-on builder with others helping remotely. This role could be rotated between team members.
  • Other roles include taking notes for the engineering notebook, designing with CAD.
  • Use simplified prototypes of mechanisms that can be used for testing, especially before the real robot is ready. Could even use cardboard or wood to get things started.
  • Divide the design into mechanisms or subsystems. Each mechanism could be designed and/or built separately and then integrated later. Use the situation as an opportunity to build better design skills.
  • Pairs of team members wearing masks. Take temperature, clean hands, etc.
  • Use Github for source control and to connect programmers with testers.
  • Use Sololearn for new Java programmers.
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