FIRST^® Tech Challenge Class Pack Updates

Hi Friend, 

CENTERSTAGE^SM presented by RTX kicked off on September 9, 2023.

Pixel by pixel, element by element Step into the exciting world of robotics with the FIRST^® Tech Challenge Class Pack! The class pack is designed to empower your students in their journey to create and construct their own robots. But it's not just about robots; it's about preparing them for a future filled with endless possibilities.

As you guide your students through this transformative experience, they'll learn how to build robots, but they'll also discover the invaluable careers and career-ready skills embedded within FIRST Tech Challenge.

Our class pack goes beyond the technical aspects. It focuses on character development, nurturing qualities like teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving. These skills are the building blocks of success in any field.

The fun classroom minigame makes learning a blast! The game is not just about having a good time; the culminating event provides a platform for your students to share their newfound skills and knowledge with you, their peers, and even invited community members. It's a chance for them to showcase their growth and inspire others on their educational journey.

So, get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure with your students, where they'll build robots and a brighter future for themselves and their community. The FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack is your gateway to an exciting world of learning, growth, and inspiration!

Important Updates

Shipping Delays: AndyMark is experiencing delays in shipping FIRST Tech Challenge Mini Games. These should begin shipping by September 30.

Thinkscape: We are experiencing development issues with Thinkscape where assigning modules to classrooms is not working correctly. We have created the ability for teachers to only make specific modules visible to teachers and teacher assistants while we work on these development fixes. In order to "hide" modules until you want students to see them, please follow the steps below. 

Hover over the module you would like to hide, select "Options" and then check the box "Only visible to teachers and teacher assistants" and then select "Update". 

Mini Game

As you get ready to head into your FIRST Tech Challenge season, you can find all your Class Pack content and resources in one place to include information about the Mini Game.

Self-Paced Training Courses

FIRST^® Education has created free training resources on the FIRST programs for coaches, mentors, and teachers. These training courses are located within the FIRST Dashboard under the Thinkscape Learning Management System.

Register for a new account and join the course.

If you are an existing user, choose Join a Course and enter: 2BB5BA35

Remote Professional Development 

FIRST will be hosting several remote Professional Development sessions now through February 2024 for FIRST^® LEGO^® League Discover, Explore, Challenge, and FIRST Tech Challenge. These professional development opportunities are great for new coaches and teachers.

More information can be found on our website and registration is through Eventbrite. 

Inspire the Future: School & Educator Recognition Nominations 

At FIRST, recognition is not only part of our name, it's core to our ethos. In this spirit, we are proud to launch our third year of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program. NEW this year, you may nominate outstanding schools as part of the first annual Inspire the Future: FIRST School Recognition Program.

Help us celebrate the FIRST educators and schools who inspire their learning communities and advance the mission of FIRST by submitting a nomination. 

Updating your Control Hubs and Driver Stations

Updating the FIRST Tech Challenge control system is a crucial aspect of maintaining a dynamic and effective learning environment for your students.

By keeping the control system up to date, you are not only enhancing the performance and reliability of the robots your students build but also exposing them to real-world scenarios where technology is in a constant state of evolution.

Additionally, updated control systems often come with new features and capabilities that expand the range of projects students can undertake, fueling their curiosity and creativity.

To update the operating system (OS) and software development kit (SDK) check out the FIRST Tech Challenge Document resources for step-by-step support on completing updates.

It is important to note that all control hubs and drivers’ stations will need to be updated with the latest SDK and OS updates coming out in late September 2023.

Career Toolkit & Certifications for Students

FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST^® Robotics Competition teams now have access to a Career Planning Toolkit that can help them. These lessons are meant to support students over multiple seasons to connect their learning on their FIRST team and career path.

These lessons include career interest tools to help students identify roles that might suit them on a team and help them create learning goals to support their careers. Students can use these goals to increase skills on their resume to support their education path. They are also guided in learning for a future career through work-based learning, industry certifications, internships, and apprenticeships. 

These modules can be accessed through the FIRST Dashboard in Thinkscape. 

Class Pack Grant Opportunity for Rookie Teams 

U.S.-based unregistered rookie teams who purchased a 2023-2024 FIRST^® LEGO^® League or FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack can apply for a Class Pack grant to cover some of the cost of a corresponding 2023-2024 rookie individual team. 

Check out the details and FIRST Class Pack Grant guidelines.

Caterpillar Foundation Grant Opportunity 

FIRST, through the generous support from the Caterpillar Foundation, has a limited number of two-year FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack grants available to support the implementation of FIRST Tech Challenge in Title 1 upper middle and high schools located in these specific cities/towns below 

• Alabama: Albertville 
• Georgia: Athens & Griffin 
• Illinois: Peoria & Pontiac 
• Kansas: Wamego 
• Kentucky: Mayfield & DeCoursey (including Kenton & Campbell Counties) 
• Michigan: Menominee 
• Mississippi: Corinth & Booneville 
• Missouri: Boonville & West Plains 
• North Carolina: Cary (including Clayton & Sanford) 
• North Dakota: West Fargo (including a one-hour radius) 
• South Carolina: Sumter 
• Texas: Denison, Victoria, & Waco 

Grant recipients will receive the first-year grant funding for the 2023-2024 school year. Each FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack is designed to serve 24 students. The deadline to apply is October 27, 2023. Read the full details and share out this grant application with anyone you know who meets the grant requirements! 

If you were forwarded this email, sign up for upcoming FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack blast updates and view previous updates on our website. 

Connect with FIRST

FIRST School Engagement: firstschoolengagement@firstinspires.org  

FIRST Education: firsteducation@firstinspires.org 

FIRST Customer Support: customerservice@firstinspires.org