Hello Friend,
 
DEADLINE EXTENDED! For several hours late on March 3 into early March 4 there were delays in the processing of uploaded files to the Entry Submission System for the FIRST® Robotics Competition At Home Challenges. This delay was caused by an outage with the virus scanning process and functionality has since been fully restored. We apologize to teams impacted by this experience. As a result of this issue, we are extending the deadline for items originally due on March 4, 2021 at 3 p.m. Eastern by 24 hours to March 5, 2021 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Please note that this does not affect any other rules, requirements, or procedures. All data must still be entered through the Entry Submission System and submitted (using the “Submit and Lock” button) by the new deadline. Please see section 1.11 of the At Home Challenges Manual for deadlines, noting that any instances of March 4 now reference March 5.
 
Please review the following options based on the status of your entries:
  • If you have not yet submitted and locked your entry, please return to the Entry Submission System and update your entry at your convenience. Be sure to click “Submit and Lock” by the new deadline!
  • If you submitted and locked your entry prior to the start of yesterday’s issue, there is no impact and no action required
  • If you submitted and locked your entry since the start of yesterday’s issue but left off one or more optional attachments, you may optionally send us those attachments for manual processing. Please note that this applies only to optional fields that do not currently contain a file. Any required fields would have needed to be filled out prior to submitting and locking your entry. If you would like to supply an attachment for an optional field, send an email with your attachment to frcathome@firstinspires.org and specify your team number, access code, which competition the attachment goes with and which question. Please use the subject line “Manual Attachment – Team (your team number)”
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
 

Deadline Approaching! Submission deadline for the INFINITE RECHARGESM at Home (Skills Component) Competition component is Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Visit the At Home Challenges Manual for important guidelines. Teams can reference our user guide to navigate through the portal and submit scores and content for judging.

Please remember that the access code for the frcathome.org portal is located in the lead mentors’ Dashboards by clicking the “Payment & Product” box under “Team Options,” and selecting “Passwords & Vouchers.” For any issues or technical questions about the frcathome.org portal, please send an email to  frcathome@firstinspires.org.

Please remember: All interviews with judges will be conducted using Microsoft Teams! Microsoft Teams is the platform used for remote interviews this season. This information was released in Team Update 6 and is in the current version of the At Home Challenges Manual along with a timeframe of when interviews will occur. We highly recommend that each team practice using Microsoft Teams before their official interviews. Please reference, Using Microsoft Teams, for how to use the platform if you are not familiar.

Check out the new series Inside Innovation: Tips from BAE Systems, Inc. Last week, we shared the first video from Justin Amevor, a software engineer at BAE Systems Inc., which highlighted the importance of adaptability and preparedness. This week, we’re excited to share a new tip from Jennifer Ripley, a hardware engineering lead at BAE Systems Inc., showing FIRST Robotics Competition teams how she works through roadblocks with a fun and unique game called “I Wonder.”

Tallo Badges: FIRST® Participants have access to exclusive badges and opportunities on Tallo. Tallo is the platform where you can show of how you do what you love (like FIRST) and connect with amazing opportunities like college scholarship and admission information, company career connections, internship opportunities and more! Create your profile and get your FIRST Robotics Competition badge today!     

tallo (2)

Cool Weather, Cooler Swag: Spice up your desk with the ultimate assortment of FIRST accessories, including the infinity smart pad, wireless headphones, pens, notebooks, wireless phone chargers, and more! Shop the FIRST Store today and bring home these hot items to make your school, work, or gaming station that much cooler.

 Shop-Desk-1280x450-1

 

As always, we are here to help. Please contact our Customer Support Team with any questions.  

Sincerely, 

FIRST® Robotics Competition Team Support