Hi , 

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

In this week's blast: 

🏆 Dean's List Award Nominations are Open!

🤖 Tech Tip of the Week - AprilTag Localization

📋 Team Registration Timeline and Required Steps

✅ Register Youth Team Members

💻 Update Your Coach/Mentor Roster

🌊 Walk Like Woodie Day

🐙 Team Webinar Schedule

🎮 2024-2025 New Team Hardship Grant

👩‍🏫 FIRST^® Certified Professional Development

👨‍🎓 Opportunity for FIRST Alumni Attending the SWE Conference

Dean's List  Award Nominations are Open! 
Dean's List Award nominations are open! Please be sure to nominate your outstanding students! Dean's List Award info including criteria for the award, and how to nominate a student, can be found on our website! 

Tech Tip of the Week - AprilTag Localization
This week's Tech Tip is all about AprilTag Localization. How can your robot determine where it is on the field by looking at an AprilTag? A new set of APIs have been added to SDK 10.0 to provide just that information, and it works for any static (immobile) AprilTag on the competition field. Check out the AprilTag Localization documentation on ftc-docs! 

Team Registration Timeline and Required Steps 
As we approach competition season this is reminder that your team must be registered and in good standing with both FIRST HQ and your local partner organization.  Registration may take a few days to process. Please allow up to 3 days for confirmation of payment receipt.  Lead Coach 1 and 2 must complete screening and C&R form for a team to compete in FIRST events. 

Register Youth Team Members 
The parent or guardian of every youth team member is required to complete the FIRST youth registration process for their participant before they may participate in any organized team activities. This electronic process must be completed prior to the student attending any team meetings or any FIRST events or competitions. For more information and instructions on how to complete the online youth team member registration process, visit the Youth Registration System Overview.  

Express Enrollment: Coaches and mentors in the United States and Canada with completed FIRST Youth Protection Screenings can take advantage of Express Enrollment, which provides a simplified experience on mobile and desktop to register and accept youth to FIRST teams.  

✅ View Express Enrollment Coach/Mentor Instructions  

✅ Express Enrollment Parent/Guardian Instructions.  

Have questions? Check out our FAQ or contact FIRST Support. 

Update Your Coach/Mentor Roster 
Each season, it's recommended that you review the additional coaches and mentors on your team to ensure your roster is updated for the new season.  

You can add or remove these individuals from your roster by clicking the "Contact Options" under the "Team Contacts/Roster" section of your team's Dashboard.  

Read more about updating your team roster and the different roles.  

If an additional coach/mentor participates in 30% or more of the team activities, or is regularly involved with the team, we recommend these individuals complete a FIRST Youth Protection Screening. 

Your Program Delivery Partner may have other requirements including additional background checks and training required by law in your jurisdiction.  

Either lead coach can request the individual completes the screening process through their FIRST account. Read more about the Youth Protection Program and share the Youth Protection Training Videos with all of your coaches and mentors.  

Walk Like Woodie Day 
As the fifth anniversary of Dr. Woodie Flowers’ passing approaches, we invite the entire FIRST community to celebrate and honor his life by participating in Walk Like Woodie Day. Together, we continue to carry his legacy forward by remembering and celebrating his impact. Join us on October 11 by sharing your photos, thoughts, and tributes with #WalkLikeWoodie. Share your examples of Gracious Professionalism^® with #thatsGP and one of the photo frames!

Download the frames. 

Team Webinar Schedule 
We are thrilled to announce our team webinar series. Don’t miss the chance to explore new depths—register today, and mark your calendars for these team-centered webinars!

Check out the schedule and topics. 

2024-2025 FIRST Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant  

The 2024-2025 FIRST  Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant is live. Awarded new teams will receive a one-time $750 grant which can be used towards FIRST Tech Challenge season registration and products exclusively the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Please keep in mind that only new FIRST Tech Challenge teams in USA, Mexico, Canada, or USA Military APO may receive this grant and must fit the eligibility requirements stated on the grant page. The next grant cycle ends October 15! 

FIRST^® Certified Professional Development 

FIRST will be hosting several remote Professional Development sessions that resume in January 2025 for FIRST Tech Challenge. Enhance your knowledge and skills by engaging in one of our sessions that involve hands-on experience with student components of the FIRST program! (In-Person will resume in Spring 2025.) 

For more details visit our website or register via Eventbrite. If you have questions, contact us at FIRSTProfessionalServices@firstinspires.org  

Opportunity for FIRST Alumni attending the SWE Conference 
RTX is inviting FIRST alumni attending the SWE conference on October 24 in Chicago, IL. to stop by our hospitality suite. Please have FIRST alumni pre-register at this link and mention that they are FIRST alumni during their interview and on their resume. 

We allow up to 50 students at a time and rotate the candidates every 15 mins (within the two hours) to try to connect with all the candidates.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with hiring managers, recruiters, and our ERG leaders during the 15 min.   

Date: 10/24 Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm Location: West Building of the McCormick Place in Room 184 ABC and be sure to visit RTX in booth 901 at the Career Fair. 

Register Now