Hi , 

Here's some updates and news from FIRST Tech Challenge.

In this week's blast:
👍 Thank You, Coaches & Mentors

🎮 Tech Tip of the Week 

🤖 FIRST^® Championship Conferences

Thank You, Coaches & Mentors

We want to give a BIG thank you to each coach and mentor who gives their time and energy to FIRST^® students. In honor of Mentoring Month in January, we are celebrating all the important work you do within our communities, schools, and organizations.   

Enter our Mentoring Month Raffle: All mentors and coaches are eligible to win a $50 gift code to the FIRST store. Stock up on new FIRST^® IN SHOW^SM presented by Qualcomm swag or get that FIRST sweatshirt or jacket you’ve seen around at FIRST events. One entry per person, raffle is open now until February 1, 2024. Submit for your chance to win!   

Receive 50% off coach/mentor pins for a limited time: In celebration of Mentoring Month, use the code !Mentor24 at checkout to receive 50% off coach/mentor pins on the Volunteer Recognition Store via Sports Awards. FIRST IN SHOW coach/mentor pins are available now along with past seasons while supplies last. Get your coach/mentor pins today!  

Share why you mentor: This month we’ll be sharing stories on our blog and social media about our mentors within the FIRST community. Share with us on your social platforms why you mentor with FIRST and the impact you’ve seen in your students with #FIRSTvolunteers. Your post might just get boosted by FIRST!   

Tech Tip of the Week 

This week’s Tech Tip is a reminder that strong passwords and regular backups make for good competition. Even when competing at a Scrimmage before your competition season starts, be sure to change your Wi-Fi password on your Control Hub from the default password of “password” to something only your team knows.

Anyone who knows your password can easily gain access to your robot and change or delete your programs, change important settings, or even force your controller to revert to factory settings! And with that said, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to keep backups of your programs - it’s especially important to regularly download all Blocks and OnBot Java programs that are normally only stored on the robot in case anything happens! 

FIRST Championship Conferences – Request for Proposals  

FIRST is currently accepting proposals for the 2024 FIRST^® Championship Conferences that will be running Wednesday - Friday at our FIRST Championship event. Students, mentors, educators, coaches, volunteers, staff, and sponsors are welcome to submit a proposal before our February 9 deadline. Presenters will be notified in mid-March if they have been selected.   

If you have questions, please contact championshipconferences@firstinspires.org