NorCal FIRST Volunteering

FRC, FTC, FLL and JrFLL in Northern California

Intoduction

• Mark Edelman– Co-Founder of Playing At Learning– Northern California for JrFLL, FLL, and FTC for

Northern CA– Mentor for FRC Team 2489– Active in youth robotics for 11+ years

What is FIRST?

• For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

• Nonprofit founded by Dean Kamen• Foster interests in science, technology,

engineering education and career paths• Celebrate engineering and science

Jr. FIRST LEGEO League

• Ages 6-9• Expo (like science fair)• Themed

construction• Rolling season

FIRST LEGO League

• Elementary/Middle School Robotics Competition

• Tabletop, autonomousrobotics

• 30+ events in Nov– 11/16, 11/17– 11/23, 11/24

FIRST Tech Challenge

• High School Robotics Competition• Kicks off in early September• Multiple events throughout Fall• Championship in

late Feb• Super-Regional in

March

FIRST Robotics Competition

• High School Competition• Kicks off in early January• 6 wks to design/build/program/test• Competitions in March– Sacramento (UC Davis)• 3/13-3/15

– Silicon Valley (SJSU)• 3/20-3/22

Getting Involved

• Team Mentoring• Event Volunteering• Workshops

Team Mentoring

• Opportunities Vary– By program– By your availability

• Many teams meet afterschool• Some meet weekends too• Contact us for info on possible connections!

Event Volunteering• FRC– 3 day robotics competition (Thurs-Sat)– Volunteer via www.usfirst.org/vims

• FTC• 1 day events – (Saturday or Sunday)– www.norcalftc.org/volunteer.html

• FLL• 1 day events – (Saturday or Sunday)– www.norcalfll.org/volunteer.html

Event Volunteering• FTC Super-Regional– Northern California Hosting Inaugural FTC Super-Regional

Event– Teams from 13 states– 2 ½ day event– Sacramento Area

Contact Info

• Web– www.playingatlearning.org– www.usfirst.org

• Email– marke@playingatlearning.org– volunteer@playingatlearning.org

• phone– 510-656-8664