Team Leaders, a few items of interest.  There are currently around 60 teams registered or in the process of registering.  So for the first time, you may be receiving two copies of this email blast because I’m starting to use both the 2020 and 2021 registration information.  Please register if you think your team is going to participate this year.  The next Mentor Meetup on Zoom is November 12th.

FIRST Equity and Access Grant

FIRST is accepting applications for the Equity and Access Grant.  Any 2021 Registered FIRST Robotics Competition team that wants to make a positive impact both in and out of our community by increasing participation of female or underrepresented populations in STEM is eligible to apply. Preference will be given to projects that are presenting FIRST programs.  Grant awards will be $1000 – $5000.  The application deadline is November 6 at 5 PM EST.

We hope that FUM FRC teams will apply for an Equity and Access Grant.  Please contact the FUM Diversity and Inclusion committee if you would like any assistance with an application (https://firstuppermidwest.org/first-in-upper-midwest/diversity-and-inclusion/ ).

Application information is available here: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/grants and you can click on the following link to apply for the Equity and Access Grant: https://usfirst.submittable.com/submit/1db10e7e-4a43-40aa-9758-05abde93f7b7/2021-first-robotics-competition-equity-and-access-grant-application .

Team members registration

Here’s a short tutorial on getting your team members registered.  2021 Season FIRST Online Consent/Release Form Process:

– Log into the FIRST Inspires website (www.firstinspires.org) site
Use your email address and password as your login credentials
The Log in button is located in the upper right-hand corner of the website
– You should now be looking at your Dashboard. OR roll your mouse over your name once logged into the site
– From the Dashboard, click on the Parent/Guardian – Youth Tab
– Click the Youth Options dropdown next to your youth’s name tab (on the right-side/middle of the page)
– -Select Youth’s 2021 FIRST Consent and Release.
– Follow all prompts to complete the forms.
– Click the ACCEPT box
-This is an electronic signature.
– Select Accept and submit form.
– Return to dashboard once the release is complete and submitted
Again, click the “Youth Options” dropdown next to your youth’s name and select “Apply to a Team”
Select FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION and manually type in your youth’s Team number.
Click “Apply”

If you have any questions, please contact firstteammembers@firstinspires.org or call 1-800-871-8326 ext. 0 from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. ET, Monday through Friday, to speak with a Team Support representative.

1st JUMPSTART training – Oct 31st

Registration is now open for the second annual JUMPSTART training event sponsored by Medtronic! This year, we are adapting and expanding to deliver engaging virtual experiences with presentations organized by Medtronic, Delta ModTech, St. Cloud State University and Central Robotics Hub. Rather than replicating the in-person long days, we will host three virtual sessions on the Saturday mornings listed below.

We are strongly recommending teams who can safely socially distance to attend this virtual experience as a team. The agenda for each Saturday will be different, including a variety of both technical and non-technical training sessions, and highlights from our sponsors. Registration will capture which date(s) your team plans to attend. If plans change, please update your registration submission by emailing rs.first@medtronic.com .

Team Registration Link:  https://medtronic.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5axLqr1Za4UjHwx

Additional details can be found here:  https://firstuppermidwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jumpstart_Registration-Email.pdf

Regards, Mark Lawrence
Chairman, MN FIRST Regional Planning Committee