Implementation of RoadRunner

10:00am - 10:45am

Room #340A

Session #106
Implementation of RoadRunner in an FTC robot.

Lead Presenter: Vijay K Venugopal
Mercedes-Benz North America Corporation
Bio: MS in Mechanical Engineering, MBA; Was the founder of Formula SAE team in Wayne State Universtity, Detroit

Resumes 101: Master the Art of Showcasing Your FIRST Experience

10:00am - 10:45am

Room #350DEF

Session #139
Picture yourself in the perfect career: a thrilling job that allows you to shine with your skills and passions, while also earning an impressive salary. But how do you make that dream a reality? Are you prepared to catch the eye of Recruiters in your job hunt? Discover the insider secrets from Ilene Rein an Executive Recruiter and Job Search Strategist. Ilene will share strategies to highlight your FIRST Robotics experience on resumes that will instantly captivate recruiters and convince them that you're the perfect addition to their team!

Lead Presenter: ILENE REIN
Job Search Strategist & Executive Recruiter | Pounding Pavement 101
Bio: Ilene Rein is a dynamic and accomplished Job Search Strategist, Founder of the revolutionary Foolproof, Job-Getting, Career-Building System Pounding Pavement 101, and Managing Partner and Executive Recruiter at Marketing & Sales Resources. Ilene's groundbreaking system, Pounding Pavement 101, guides job seekers through every aspect of the job search process with precision and finesse. From developing attention-grabbing resumes to acing interviews by understanding what Recruiters are actually looking for in candidates, Ilene's clients gain an edge over the competition. Her expertise in job search strategies also helps individuals create maximum visibility and streamline their searches for faster results. This has made Ilene an invaluable resource for anyone looking for a new job. Thanks to Ilene's insider secrets and techniques, her clients have experienced rapid success in landing their dream jobs within just 3-8 weeks - a remarkable achievement compared to the average 9-12 months of independent job searching. Detailed statistics showcasing her clients' impressive hiring rates can be found on her website https://www.poundingpavement101.com. With Ilene as their guide and mentor, seasoned professionals, college graduates/students, and even high school students can accelerate their job searches and unlock endless opportunities. She is truly an invaluable resource for anyone looking to take their careers to new heights. Prepare to revolutionize your job search journey with Ilene Rein's expert guidance!

STEM Advocacy in a Nutshell

10:00am - 10:45am

Room #360ABC

Session #102
A delegation of CocoNuts traveled this summer to the National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC and organized an advocacy day at the Arizona Capitol. Learn how to start advocating for STEM at the local, state, and national levels to make your voice heard and generate more support for your team and robotics.

Lead Presenter: Christine Sapio
CocoNuts Co-Coach | FRC 2486 CocoNuts
Bio: Christine is the outreach, advocacy, and marketing coach for the CocoNuts and a co-partner for FIRST Tech Challenge in Arizona. In 2022, she was the recipient of the FIRST Championship Woodie Flowers Award. She's excited to have her amazing CocoNuts present about their work.

Additional Presenters: Elle Ness & Elena Klopfenstein, CocoNuts Robotics (Elle and Elena are doing the presentation - please list them as the presenters in the program.)

A LinkedIn Blueprint for FIRST Students

11:00am - 11:45am

Room #340A

Session #108
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for internships, college admissions and job search, enabling students to start building their professional network now. Designed specifically for FIRST students, this session will empower students to craft a LinkedIn profile that serves as their personal brand, representing who they are professionally. The workshop will include step-by-step guidance on how to highlight their FIRST experience in a way that conveys the full depth and impact of their involvement. Students will also learn how to leverage LinkedIn to showcase their comprehensive skills and achievements, engage with their corporate sponsors and share team successes and stories.

Lead Presenter: Becca Berggren
Digital Marketing Strategist | FIRST California
Bio: As the Digital Marketing Strategist for FIRST California, Becca Berggren blends her 20 years of dedication to FIRST as a volunteer and mentor with a depth of expertise in marketing. Her approach focuses on amplifying the unique stories of FIRST teams and the broader FIRST community, showcasing impact, diverse journeys and transformation. Becca's deep-rooted involvement and creative spirit enable her to authentically capture and convey the essence of FIRST.

Additional Presenters: Nina Kim Makena Berggren

FTC SIM: Web Based Coding Simulator

11:00am - 11:45am

Room #360ABC

Session #105
FTC SIM is a virtual coding tool for FTC Blocks and OnBot Java programming. It allows users to code and run a virtual FIRST Tech Challenge robot autonomously for free! Users can learn everything from basic movement to how to use sensors by completing a series of puzzles using Blocks or Java. It has embedded tutorials, monthly challenges, a multi player option, world builder capabilities, a teacher’s portal and the last three FTC game fields! You can use it to teach programing in a classroom, train rookie FTC team members and introduce coding to your community via workshops/camps.

Lead Presenter: Lisa Maria Ramraj
FIRST Tech Challenge Program Manager | FIRST Robotics Canada
Bio: I joined FIRST in 2009 as a student on FRC Team 1310 - Runnymede Robotics and have been a mentor on the team since 2013 & Head Mentor for the past 2 years. Throughout my 13 years in FRC, I have been involved in every aspect of the team from construction, electrical, strategy, scouting, promotions and team management. I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and graduated in 2018. I currently work as a Sales & Product Engineer at Clear Blue Technologies, where we make smart off-gird technology that is used to power lighting and telecommunications solutions around the world. I am currently working as the FIRST Tech Challenge Program Manager at FIRST Robotics Canada where I get to facilitate robotics experiences for students across the province. I also have the pleasure of being the Project Manager for FTC SIM which is a virtual robotics simulator that teaches users how to code on FIRST Tech Challenge robot.

Integrating ROS (Robot Operating System) Into an FRC Control System

12:00pm - 12:45pm

Room #340A

Session #113
This presentation will cover how to control an FRC robot with ROS (Robot Operating System). Including configuring your RoboRIO and co-processor, as well as building and installing the software and tools required. By the end you will be able to program your robot with more robust debugging and logging capabilities.

Lead Presenter: Christopher Bonomi
Lead Programming Mentor | FRC 195 - The CyberKnights
Bio: I was a student on FRC 195 for all 4 years of high school, graduating ing 2018. I then attended Florida Institute of Technology and recently graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering. I now work as an AI/Machine Learning Engineer Associate at Lockheed Martin, as well as continuing to mentor my former team.

Additional Presenters: Robert Hilton

Building a Culture in Robotics

12:00pm - 12:45pm

Room #350DEF

Session #125
Over a 4-Year period, Pittsburgh Public Schools has developed a collaborative strategy in partnership with out of school time providers, universities, and local supporters to create an inclusive environment rooted in the best of FIRST: building relationships through the common goal of educating our youth in STEAM. We will share insights of navigating the complex nature of supporting teams housed in public school systems, supporting educators, and including out of school time providers and stakeholders in the decision-making process. In 2018, we had 3 FIRST teams - as of 2024, we support 18 teams, fielding 14 this season across all games.

Lead Presenter: Vincent Joseph Scotto
K-12 STEAM Coordinator | Pittsburgh Public Schools
Bio: Vincent is a Treasure Hunter. He serves as the K-12 STEAM Coordinator for Pittsburgh Public Schools, overseeing STEAM initiatives, Computer Science Education, and Robotics programs, and is the Team Administrator for their teams. He has been an elementary school, middle school, and high school public school educator, and lead efforts in the communities he served in inclusive practices. He is also a state and national presenter in STEAM and Computer Science Education.

Additional Presenters: Dana Navaroli & Tim Angert

How to Expand Opportunities and Build a Resume using Your FIRST Experience

12:00pm - 12:45pm

Room #360ABC

Session #103
This workshop will provide advice on how to get scholarships and internships using your FIRST experience and how to incorporate FIRST into your resume.

Lead Presenter: Alicia Clouser
Impact Lead | FRC 2486 CocoNuts
Bio: Alicia is a senior on the CocoNuts and specializes in advocacy, outreach, and STEAM fair coordinator. In 2022 she was named a Dean’s List Finalist and Flagstaff STEM Student of the Year. Alicia has been helping students for two years now building their resumes. Alicia has also been offered over $240,000 in scholarships.

Scouting – More Than Just Alliance Selection

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Room #340A

Session #112
Scouting is a major part of Team 195 and integral to Alliance selection and determining detailed match strategies. Our system is unique in that it (1) integrates with a relational data model allowing for powerful data analytics, (2) post-processes collected data with Python analysis module to write DB tables for easy data visualization, and (3) a comprehensive data analysis web-app that is abstracted for easy migration between seasons. Students are taught the software development process and are introduced to modern tools such as Angular, HTML, SQL, Python as well as data analytics and critical thinking skills.

Lead Presenter: Mark Maciejewski & David Dreschler
Lead Scouting Mentors | FRC Team 195 - The CyberKnights
Bio: Mark Maciejewski & David Dreschler are the lead scouting mentors for Team 195 - The CyberKnights. Over the past 7 years in partnership with 195 students, Mark & Dave have built The CyberKnight’s robust scouting database. This award-winning system provides Team 195 with valuable insights that have propelled the team to multiple Einstein appearances.

Additional Presenters: David Dreschler & Team 195 Scouting Students

Shape Your Future with FIRST Teams and SOLIDWORKS

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Room #340B

Session #116
FIRST students can boost their skills: Accelerate your design process with the industry-leading SOLIDWORKS interface, Cloud Apps, and 3DEXPERIENCE Engineer. FIRST students can pursue new challenges: Our sponsorship programs provide you with the tools and resources to tackle exciting challenges, helping you push the boundaries of what's possible. FIRST students can build a stronger resume: Showcase your proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE on your resume, making you a top choice for employers seeking top-tier design talent.

Lead Presenter: Simge Akarsu Walsh
SOLIDWORKS EDU Program Senior Manager | Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
Bio: Simge Akarsu Walsh is a seasoned professional with a rich 13-year tenure at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks. Her career has been dedicated to working with software companies, where her passion lies in inspiring individuals to reach new heights. Simge's primary focus within SolidWorks is on education, striving to empower students and educators alike to achieve their goals. With a keen eye on the future, she is committed to helping them understand the evolving landscape and preparing them for the opportunities that lie ahead. Simge's unwavering dedication to SolidWorks education is a testament to her commitment to shaping the future of aspiring minds in the world of software and technology.

Additional Presenters: Nirali Jain

Leveraging FLL Innovation Projects into Creating Impactful Solutions for Real-World Problems

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Room #360ABC

Session #107
Discover the transformative potential of FLL innovation projects for aspiring innovators to create impactful solutions. We unveil the methodology behind our team's success in leveraging FLL themes into working prototypes, apps, patents, and publications. Attendees gain insights into our FLL innovation project journey with case studies on a patent-pending urine battery for off-grid toilets, a patented drone-centrifuge, a publication describing an autonomous drone-freezer for delivering COVID mRNA vaccines in rural places and an app blending our interest in history with exercise. Explore idea generation, problem-solving, expert engagement, and iterative refinement that can culminate in societal impact and career acceleration.

Lead Presenter: Ganapathi Pamula
DARC SIDE FRC 6502
Bio: Ganapathi Pamula, a member of FRC 6502 DARC SIDE, currently serves as a mentor for FLL 26096 Darth Rappers, a team he proudly calls his alma mater. With a long history spanning 6 seasons in FLL, Ganapathi's journey epitomizes innovation and excellence. Under his guidance, Darth Rappers clinched the NC state championship for four consecutive years, a testament to his leadership and dedication to fostering innovation. His innovations have led to numerous awards, including the 1st Place Innovation Award at the World Festival in Houston and the Innovation Impact Award at the Global Innovation Awards in St. Louis. Fueled by a passion for addressing real-world challenges, Ganapathi champions the development of impactful solutions. His relentless pursuit of innovation extends beyond the competition season, driving FLL projects to fruition even years after their inception. His collaborative spirit and ingenuity have resulted in 4 patents and patent applications, 1 publication, 6 working prototypes, 2 apps, and an internship as an innovation consultant.

Additional Presenters: Vamsee Pamula (Coach, FLL 26096 Darth Rappers)

FIRST Impact Award Chat

1:00pm - 2:45pm

Room #350DEF

Session #124
A panel discussion with members of the FIRST Hall of Fame (past Championship FIRST Impact Award winners), providing and answering audience questions about how to maximize your team's impact and how to best tackle the award submission.

Lead Presenter: FIRST Hall of Fame
FIRST Hall of Fame
Bio: The FIRST Hall of Fame is a FIRST affiliate group of Championship FIRST Impact Award winners committed to preserving the mission, culture, and history of FIRST while celebrating the Hall of Fame teams. “Engage, teach, and inspire” teams to pursue excellence in the FIRST Impact Award process.

Additional Presenters: Additional FIRST Hall of Fame reps and hopefully again FIRST Impact Award judges

What is Computational Thinking (CT), Computer Science (CS), and what are its disciplines?

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Room #340A

Session #114
Most high school students are interested in Computer Science (CS) and they want to pursue a CS major in college because it is all about coding; however, it is so much more!

Lead Presenter: Dr. Mark Lampert
FIRST Senior Mentor (FSM) | FIRST
Bio: FIRST Senior Mentor: Activity Director, Woodbury University: Professor, Los Angeles Mission College: President, American Environmental Supply Corp.

Additional Presenters: Dr. Arash Soleimani

Hack-a-Thons and CS curriculum to support FRC Programming and Engineering

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Room #340B

Session #118
This dynamic lecture and workshop with resources for using specific Computer Science curriculum and activities to boost your FRC programming and engineering students. Demonstrations and resources provided.

Lead Presenter: Brian Martin
Robotics Director/Lead Mentor | Team 7419 TECH Support, The Quarry Lane School
Bio: Brian Martin is an Educator, Robotics Director, Engineerjng and Science Teacher, as well as a former Athletic Director and Coach over the past 28 years, and has been a FIRST Mentor since 2010. His former teams include 4563 DemBots, Team 5012 Gryffingear, and now Team 7419 TECH Support, and has a passion for STEM Education and workforce development. His hobbies include Traveling with Family, All FIRST Events, and Game Announcing, DIY Engineering Projects, and All Sports.

Additional Presenters: Stephen Xie, William Chen

How to Organize & Run a STEAM Event…in a Nutshell!

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Room #360ABC

Session #104
This workshop will discuss how to recruit community partners, find a venue, organize fun activities, and run your own STEAM Fair in your community.

Lead Presenter: Alicia Clouser
Impact Lead | FRC 2486 CocoNuts
Bio: Alicia is a senior on the CocoNuts and specializes in advocacy, outreach, and STEAM fair coordinator. In 2022 she was named a Dean’s List Finalist and Flagstaff STEM Student of the Year. Alicia has been helping students for two years now building their resumes. Alicia has also been offered over $240,000 in scholarships.

Sustaining Success: Mastering Sponsorship for FIRST Robotics

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Room #340A

Session #111
This presentation explores strategies that FIRST robotics teams can use to secure and maintain sponsors for long-term success. It delves into various methods for identifying sponsors and enlisting student support. It discusses effective approaches for pitching to potential sponsors, highlighting the benefits of partnership and community involvement. Additionally, the presentation covers tactics for growing sponsor relationships over time, including regular communication, acknowledgment, and opportunities for collaboration. By implementing these strategies, teams can establish long term sponsors, foster stability, growth, and sustained success.

Lead Presenter: Stacey Hilton
Senior Mentor, CT - Lead Mentor - FRC 195 | FIRST Robotics Competition Team 195 - CyberKnights
Bio: Stacey Hilton, CT's FIRST Senior Mentor and Lead Mentor for FRC Team 195, brings 11 years' expertise in securing sponsorships, fostering unique donor relationships, and engaging students and parents as sponsorship advocates. Her experience ensures sustained sponsor engagement using techniques that are applicable across all FIRST program levels. Stacey has an extensive background in Business Development Management, spanning over 10 years. With an additional 15 years of marketing expertise, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the table along with the valuable perspective of the sponsor. Leveraging this combined experience, Stacey is dedicated to sharing invaluable insights, tips, and best practices in retaining sponsors and crafting compelling narratives in sponsorship and fundraising endeavors.

The VRS-a Personalized robot simulator for FTC teams

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Room #340B

Session #119
The VRS Allows teams to get a jump on the competition by going from their CAD to the simulator. without building a robot https://youtu.be/GIuV9s5jcQw . The simulator also allows teams to practice their driving in the game, before they have a robot and after they have a robot, it allows them to test their ideas. The simulator can help rookie teams develop an autonomous program that is directly transferable to their robot from the simulator. https://youtu.be/o-esWDaF1hI?si=roM-cNaJv9274xQs THE VRS simulator family has been used by over 20,000 users. IT is also a great way to engage sponsors in FIRST. Optional: Bring a laptop to follow along.

Lead Presenter: Jonathan Weiland
Director of the FTC ILLINOIS | FIRST Illinois Robotics
Bio: Jonathan Weiland is currently the director (or Program delivery partner PDP) of the FIRST Tech Challenge in Illinois . He has been involved in FIRST Tech Challenge for 15 years. He has served as a mentor for many FTC teams over the years and has been the director of the FIRST Tech Challenge in Illinois for the last 10 years. His teams have won the 8 Illinois State FTC championships. In 2018 his team Vertigo won the Illinois Inspire award and the Motivate award at the World Championships. He has raised over $1,000,000,00 for FTC Teams in Illinois.

Additional Presenters: Mihir Chuanan, Gavin Hughes, Akshay Patel

Amplifying Student Leadership on Your Team!

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Room #360ABC

Session #109
Discover how to create rewarding leadership opportunities within your team that empower students to take charge, gain confidence, and develop their professional skills. Identify ways to amplify student voices within your own team to increase student investment and discover new interests. Learn about the role of resiliency in student leadership and strategies to overcome challenges faced when leading. Explore methods of fostering a supportive team environment and team culture, and the resulting impact on students. Hear from 1511 student leaders and their lead mentor about their individual leadership journeys.

Lead Presenter: Nadia Zribi
Team Captain | FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1511 Rolling Thunder
Bio: Nadia has been in FIRST for eight years and is currently a senior at Penfield High School. She was elected to the Student Leadership subteam as Student Coordinator in 2023 and currently serves in the role of Team Captain. On 1511, she is a critical part of the outreach subteam and pit crew and is an actively engaged member of the mechanical and electrical subteams.

Additional Presenters: Coleston Gill & Larry Lewis

Girls Get Together

3:00pm - 4:45pm

Room #350DEF

Session #131
Come have a conversation at our Girls Get Together Event, where students share experiences, advice, and connect with women industry professionals! We are creating a network of girls in FIRST to support each other in our goals and sustainability in STEM. Talk to an FRC Pearadox 5414 member for questions. The goal of this event is to help students find a role model that exists in their field of study as well as gain valuable contacts, friendships, and networking. Be one of the first 20 people to sign-in for the event and get a Girls Get Together t-shirt!

Lead Presenter: Kara Boyer
MISTRAS
Bio: Kara Boyer is a mechanical engineer working for MISTRAS Group and FIRST Robotics Competition alumni. Kara grew up in Houston, TX where she became the Team Captain of her FRC Team, The Robonauts. She helped start Pearadox FRC Team 5414 in 2014 and has since started an internal club known as Girls Get Together. Kara is passionate about engaging and retaining female youth in STEM. She believes that building meaningful connections and developing a sense of belonging is the most effective way to retain underrepresented and under-served communities in STEM fields.

Additional Presenters: Kara is the lead presenter and other FRC mentors and industry professionals will speak at this event.

Unified Robotics: Bringing STEM to Students with Intellectual Disabilities

4:00pm - 4:45pm

Room #340A

Session #123
Unified Robotics® is an after-school program where students with and without intellectual disabilities team up to build robots and compete in a tournament. FIRST teams have the unique opportunity to introduce engineering concepts to students with intellectual disabilities in a way that ignites a passion for STEM and open doors for them in the future. Many of these students have little or no hands-on experience with STEM. In this panel, FIRST teams share their experience starting Unified Robotics in their communities and discuss how you can start this program in your own community to create a more inclusive world.

Lead Presenter: Andrew LaPrade
Unified Robotics
Bio: Andrew LaPrade is a member of the Executive Team at Unified Robotics® and has helped to grow the program since its founding in 2015. Andrew is a FIRST alum as a member of FRC Team 4911 CyberKnights from 2015-2018, where he and the team piloted Unified Robotics and created the program model for other FIRST teams to adopt. For the 2023 season, Andrew led the expansion to bring Unified Robotics to communities outside of Washington State, including Australia, Canada, Oregon, and Minnesota, with this season having more than 200 students with and without intellectual disabilities participating around the world. Outside of Unified Robotics, Andrew is a Software Engineer at Microsoft and volunteers at FIRST events in the Pacific Northwest District.

From Concept to Reality: Navigating the Challenges of Bringing Innovations to Life

4:00pm - 4:45pm

Room #340B

Session #120
Embark on an exhilarating journey at our FIRST Championship Conference, delving into the stages from the concept to the final product. Explore the endless realm where ideas form into reality, transcending barriers of discrimination and knowledge of starting during this thought-provoking and informative conference. Witness the alchemy of imagination, precise planning, and dedication as we unravel the secrets behind turning visions into impactful products. The climax awaits with a riveting challenge—select a topic from the hat and race against time to evolve it from a blank canvas to a fully realized product through the steps of innovation.

Lead Presenter: Dylan Karpf
Codebots
Bio: My name is Dylan Karpf and I am 13 years old. I first became interested in robotics and coding at the age of 5 when I got a device and learned about coding. I started FIRST two years ago when I was a member of my middle school's inaugural robotics competition team as the head of innovation. This was a huge accomplishment because it was my first time doing major robotics and to become a captain so quickly. Our leadership and innovative ideas helped the team advance to the next round. When I’m not coding robots, I have enjoyed, Tennis, squash, instruments, Entrepreneurship, and presenting. I have also been a member of the GFA Dragon bots for 3 years and the lead of the innovation project, later becoming team captain after my inaugural year. I’ve also now been a mentor for an FLL Explore team for 2 years. I would go on to compete in USACO at 11 years old which is a high school coding competition after completion of AP CS while rising through the ranks quickly at an unforeseeable rate. I also did a different presentation at FIRST Championship 2022. Now, I have also decided to join our school’s competitive MASTERPIECE team which ended up winning the Innovation Project Award at the State Championships. Currently, I am in a Cancer Research project, a biomedicine project, multiple cybersecurity certifications, winner of multiple coding competitions, a Connecticut Innovation Project and Motivate FLL Award winner, and host of a 150-team hackathon.

Additional Presenters: Lucas Robinson, Liam Haverstick, Ben Kiev

Andy Baker's 20 Favorite FRC Robots

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Room #340A

Session #170
Andy will give details and stories explaining his favorite 20 robots in FRC. These robots were masterpieces in design and strategy, each making a huge impact in FIRST. A good mixture of old and new robots will be highlighted using videos and stories from Andy.

Lead Presenter: Andy Baker
President | AndyMark, Inc.
Bio: Andy Baker is a husband, father, mentor, engineer and business leader. He has been a FIRST mentor since 1998 and supporter since 1992. Andy worked as a machine design engineer at Delphi in Kokomo, Indiana before starting AndyMark with Mark Koors in 2004. Since 1998, Andy has been an FRC, FTC, and FLL mentor, and was awarded the Championship WFA in 2003. Andy is the president of AndyMark and still is very active in the FIRST community, volunteering at over 100 FRC events since 2000.

Ensuring Accessibility & Inclusion for Disabled People Within FIRST

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Room #340B

Session #122
From driver station ramps, to elevator access, to allergen safety, join Disabled People of FIRST as we discuss how you can you can make your team, events, and community a welcoming space for everyone who loves robots.

Lead Presenter: Eva True
Administrator | Disabled People of FIRST
Bio: Eva True (They/Them) is an alumnus of FRC team 2197 and current mentor of FRC team 461. In 2018, they founded Neurodivergent of FIRST. This year, they've joined the newly founded Disabled People of FIRST as an administrator and are excited to help facilitate the small organization's growth. They're a construction management major at Purdue University and plan to work as a drafter after college.

Additional Presenters: Ally (Mentor- FRC Team 8738) Kai (Student- FRC Team 4513) (Tentative)

Discover FIRST Education Resources and how to use them

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Room #360ABC

Session #152
Delve into a comprehensive exploration of educational resources tailored for coaches, mentors, educators, and parents. This session provides valuable insights on the diverse array of resources available and expert guidance on when and how to effectively leverage them. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on optimizing these tools to enhance the learning experience for students involved in coaching, mentoring, or parenting roles. Join us for an illuminating discussion that empowers individuals with the knowledge to navigate and capitalize on educational resources, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for learners.

Lead Presenter: Faith Bongiorno
Education & Program Implementation Specialist | FIRST
Bio: Faith Bongiorno, a key member of the School Engagement and Education Team, spearheads the FIRST school district partnership initiative. Dedicated to the South Carolina FIRST community, Faith serves as a volunteer, coach, and mentor across various FIRST programs. Faith actively contributes to the development of global best practices, emphasizing seamless integration of these programs into diverse educational settings. Her proposal aims to share insights and strategies for fostering successful collaborations between schools and FIRST to enhance STEAM education worldwide.

Additional Presenters: Lori Birch

Effective FIRST Strategies

5:00pm - 6:45pm

Room #350DEF

Session #101
This presentation focuses on three major areas, Strategic Design, Match Planning/Execution, and Scouting. Rather than spending time on equations and detailed calculations, the Strategic Design gives a more high-level overview of how to design an FRC robot. This portion of the presentation includes sections on such often neglected strategic design areas such as Game Analysis, Chokehold Strategies, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Task Prioritization, and Tradeoffs using a case studies from past games. The Match Planning/Execution section of the presentation discusses effective habits and strategies that will help lead a team to victory. This is a must for those who enjoy the strategic aspects of FIRST. The Scouting section deals with effective techniques to collect information on your partners/opponents, and how to make the most of this data. Advanced statistical metrics analogous to “Sabermetrics” in baseball will also be discussed. The presentation is filled with entertaining and insightful historical FIRST anecdotes from the past 25 years. With the information in this presentation, you can turn your team from a mere competitor to a perennial powerhouse!

Lead Presenter: Karthik Kanagasabapathy
Director of Programs and Strategy | FIRST Robotics Canada
Bio: Karthik Kanagsabapathy has designed competition robotics games that have been played by over 75,000 teams of students across the globe. He has won numerous awards for his dedication to furthering robotics education, including the prestigious Woodie Flowers Finalist Award for exemplary mentoring in FIRST . He also hosts various international robotics events, having worked with media personalities such Mythbusters' Grant Imahara and Kari Byron, gave an internationally recognized TEDx talk, has hosted televised robotics specials on ESPN and CBS, and consulted with the writing and production rooms for episodes of Degrassi featuring Drake.