FIRST Tech Challenge Professional Development - Aug. 17&24, 11am-6:30pm EST

FIRST® Tech Challenge (grades 8-12)

During this FIRST® Professional Development you will meet remotely with other teachers/coaches for two 7.5-hour sessions (this includes 7 contact hours and 30-minute lunch each day) Saturday, August 17 AND Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 11:00 am - 6:30 pm EST. Please save the dates and times on your calendars; you are expected to attend BOTH sessions.

This professional development is designed for new and experienced teachers, facilitators, coaches, and mentors to enhance their overall FIRST® program knowledge.

As a participant in the FIRST® Tech Challenge immersive learning experience you will:

• Join a cohort and collaborate with other attendees through the FIRST® Thinkscape Learning Management System
• Learn introductory block-based programming concepts using the Blockly programming software
• Utilize, model, and reinforce the FIRST® Core Values
• Participate in the FIRST® experience from a student's point of view
• Learn how to facilitate hands-on activities for the classroom or after-school programs and more!

To participate, you'll need:

• Computer with software downloaded and Internet Access (Recommend second screen or device to allow programming and video communication at the same time)
• *FIRST® Tech Challenge robot kit - Unbuilt TETRIX OR REV robot
• Control and Communication Set
• Electronics Module and Sensor Set
• A second internet-enabled device to use in connection to your REV control system
• Camera turned on for active participation in hands-on, interactive sessions

*Note: please download and install the software before arriving to the training: REV Hardware client – https://docs.revrobotics.com/rev-hardware-client/. This program is needed for all electronic hardware used to build the FTC robot. This program only operates on MS Windows OS device.

Mac Users: Please note that an Apple OS version of the hardware client is currently unavailable. To update the firmware and hardware, please refer to the FTC support documentation for detailed instructions on utilizing Manual Update Method 2 as outlined by REV. Instruction are found at https://ftc-docs.firstinspires.org/en/latest/ftc_sdk/updating/controlhub_os/Updating-the-Control-Hub-OS.html

*Materials can be purchased with a FIRST® Class Pack or individual team registration through the FIRST® Dashboard.

Please note that there have been delays in shipping. If you need to order new materials, we suggest doing so promptly. If materials do not arrive in time for the start of training, we will help with rescheduling. It is advisable to select a date that allows for a 3-4 week window for the materials to arrive.

Please contact the education department if you have additional questions FIRSTEducation@firstinspires.org.

PLEASE NOTE - Cancellation Policy:

FIRST® Cancellation - A minimum of 4 registered participants are required. You will be notified 1 week prior if there is not a minimum of participants and a final decision will be made 4 days prior to the start of the first session. If a cancellation occurs you will be given additional options to attend a different cohort.

Participant Cancellation: Paid FIRST® Professional Development is nonrefundable. If you are unable to attend the paid Remote Professional Development and need to cancel your registration, you may reschedule up to one time to a future date, but within 12 months of the original date. Substitutions (one individual for another) are allowed at any time. Please let us know your intent within 72 hours before the start date by sending an email to FIRSTeducation@firstinspires.org. If you do not cancel within 72 hours and do not attend the workshop you will forfeit the opportunity to reschedule.

NOTE: If you reside in Connecticut, New Mexico, South Dakota or West Virginia sales tax applies. Please email FIRSTeducation@firstinspires.org to receive registration payment instructions for these states, or to provide us with a tax-exempt form. Full payment must be received for admission to this session. If payment is received without applicable taxes, we will contact you.