The 2024 FIRST Mentor Conference (FMC) in San Jose, California was a sold out event in August that brought together mentors from across the globe to share knowledge, build connections, and inspire one another. 

A Gathering of Minds

Hosted at Google, the FMC attracted 400 participants from over 170 teams, spanning 28 states and 5 countries and provided a unique opportunity for these individuals to come together and share their experiences, challenges, and successes.

 A Variety of Sessions

Throughout the weekend, attendees had the chance to participate in 60 sessions designed to provide valuable insights and practical skills. These sessions included:

• 41 Workshops: Hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences.
• 10 Panels: Expert discussions on various topics related to mentoring and robotics.
• 6 Roundtable Discussions: Collaborative conversations allowing for the exchange of ideas and strategies.
• 3 Keynote Speeches: Inspirational talks from FIRST leaders and veteran mentors.

Diverse Perspectives, Insights and Resources

One of the standout features of the 2024 FMC was the diversity among its presenters. With 64 presenters representing 28 different teams and 9 organizations, the conference showcased a wide range of perspectives and expertise. 

Presenters shared 33 resources throughout the conference, providing attendees with tools and materials to enhance their mentoring practices. These resources ranged from technical guides and best practices to templates for team management and fundraising. The collaborative environment fostered meaningful discussions and encouraged mentors to adopt new strategies and approaches.

“You really need to experience it to get it. I’ve been attending and presenting at smaller FRC conferences for my entire FRC career, and nothing had the energy or atmosphere of the FIRST mentor conference. The diversity and engagement of the attendees was incredible.”  – Adam Heard from Team 581 (California)

“It was an amazing event and truly impactful on me personally and I believe on many many others who were attendants. The impact goes beyond the presentations and conversations that were held there. I truly believe these kinds of events are going to be the backbone of us growing stronger mentors across FIRST.” – Norm Morgan, 2024 Woodie Flowers winner and mentor on Team 2468 (Texas)

• Building Stronger Teams: Throughout the conference, sessions focused on team development and management, offering practical advice for building cohesive and successful teams. From recruitment strategies to conflict resolution techniques, mentors picked up ideas to help them build positive and productive teams..
• Enhancing Technical Skills: Technical workshops provided hands-on learning experiences, allowing mentors to deepen their knowledge of robotics and engineering principles. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, from advanced programming techniques to mechanical design, making sure mentors are ready to support their teams..
• Encouraging Inclusion and Diversity: The FMC highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion and diversity within the FIRST community. Sessions focused on strategies for creating inclusive team environments and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups. By creating a respectful and inclusive environment, mentors can help make sure every student has a chance to succeed.
• Fostering Innovation: Innovation is at the heart of the FIRST mission, and the FMC provided numerous opportunities for mentors to explore new ideas and approaches. Workshops and discussions encouraged creative problem-solving and experimentation, helping mentors inspire their teams to think outside the box.
• Strengtheing Connections: The conference also served as a platform for building and strengthening connections between mentors. Attendees had the chance to connect with peers, share experiences, and form lasting relationships. These connections will be invaluable as mentors continue to support one another and work towards common goals.

Lab Crawls Delight

The Lab Crawls were a hit with local teams opening their build space and providing sweets, offering tours and sharing their experiences with the 2024 FMC attendees.

Stay tuned for FMC 2025

As we look forward to FMC 2025, mentors and members of the FIRST community are invited to join in for another inspiring and impactful event. 

FIRST Robotics Competition on an Aircraft Carrier

Imagine robots battling it out not in a typical arena but on the flight deck of a historic aircraft carrier. This year’s Sunset Showdown brought this vision to life, captivating the FIRST community near and far. Held from July 19-21, 2024, the event took place on the USS Hornet, a historic aircraft carrier renowned for its pivotal role in World War II and space exploration recovery missions. The event was presented by FIRST California and Team 5924 – Golden Gate Robotics.

A Spectacular Beginning

The event, set against the stunning backdrop of the USS Hornet and the city skyline, brought together 40 teams from California, Colorado, Michigan, Florida, and New Jersey to compete in an adapted version of the 2024 FRC game. We were also fortunate to have volunteers from across North America, including Indiana, Southern California, Canada, New York, South Carolina, Montana, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, and, of course, NorCal. The outdoor setting presented new challenges for the teams, adding a fresh and exciting dimension to the FIRST off-season calendar.

The USS Hornet Experience

Hosting a robotics competition on an aircraft carrier brought its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. Outdoor conditions required adaptations to the rules and strategies, but teams rose to the occasion.

Adaptations: Rule modifications accounted for wind and lighting conditions, ensuring a smooth competition. Organizers took proactive steps to mitigate normal wind levels, allowing teams to focus on their robots’ performance.

Some participants wondered if the aircraft carrier’s movement would affect gyro sensors, while others were concerned about camera functionality under varying lighting conditions.

Teams had to adapt their designs for the unique outdoor setting. This included reinforcing structures to withstand wind and optimizing sensors to cope with fluctuating lighting.

Some teams developed custom shielding for their sensors, while others used software algorithms to compensate for environmental variations.

Logistics:  There was a ramp, scissor lift, 30-ton aircraft elevator from the 1950s, and the crane that was used to pull the Apollo 11 & 12 capsules out of the ocean involved in getting the field just from the container to the deck.

The Sunset Showdown pushed teams to think outside the box, leading to new innovations in robotics design and strategy.

A Positive Reception

Overall participants seemed thrilled with the environment. 

Some fun feedback:

 “Playing with robots on an aircraft carrier was a dream come true!” 

“I gotta say, it hasn’t even been a full day and this event is shaping up to be the most positive and fun environment of any competition I have ever been to.”

“Neither the sunset nor the Showdown disappoint.”

“Had an absolute blast! Shoutout to all the people that were behind event planning and 5924. This had to have been the best vibe of any event I’ve ever attended including Champs.”

“It was an absolutely amazing venue, well run, and great interactions with other teams.”

“I’ve only been affiliated with FRC for three years, but this event, by far, was the most fun.”

Mentor Matches raise $10,000

The mentor matches raised $10,000 for Alameda County Community Food Bank!

Reflecting on a Successful Event

The Sunset Showdown on the USS Hornet was a groundbreaking success. It brought together the FIRST community from California and beyond to compete in a truly unique environment, pushing the boundaries of innovation and community engagement. 

In the News – https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/07/21/photos-apollo-exhibit-aboard-the-uss-hornet-museum/ 

By combining the thrill of competition with an awe-inspiring venue, the Sunset Showdown has proven that the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning.

Empowering the next generation of inclusive STEM leaders.

We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news about the inaugural FIRST For All fellowship program that kicked off in California in October 2023. This timely initiative aimed to empower FIRST students with the skills and knowledge to foster inclusivity and diversity on their teams and in their communities.

Let’s dive into some highlights:

1. Impressive Participation: We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response from students across California. The inaugural cohort brought together a diverse group of passionate FIRST participants, eager to learn and make a difference. Our 38 graduates were honored at their Regional events, each receiving a special FIRST For All pin in recognition of their commitment to fostering inclusivity.
2. Engaging Workshops: The program featured four live online workshops covering crucial topics like unconscious bias, psychological safety, recruiting and retaining girls in STEM, and even a Q&A session with JPL CEO Dr. Laurie Leshin!
3. Action Plans in Motion: Participants developed creative action plans to implement their learnings. These ranged from launching new outreach programs to creating women-sized team shirts, beginning podcasts to planning for off-season events with girl-only drive teams and pit crews…and so so so much more! 
4. Positive Outcomes: The fellowship fostered a strong sense of community, equipped students with valuable insights, and led to the implementation of inclusive practices within teams.
5. Rave Reviews: A whopping 90% of participants said they would highly recommend the program.

Hear what the participants had to say.

But here’s the best part – we’re gearing up for Year 2!

Mark your calendars: Applications for the second FIRST For All Fellowship will open at the end of September. We’ve taken feedback from our inaugural cohort to make the program even better:

• Workshops will run during the off-season
• Expect 90-minute workshops every other week from mid-October to mid-December
• We’ll be inviting more mentor engagement throughout the program

We can’t wait to welcome a new cohort of change-makers and continue fostering a more inclusive STEM community. Stay tuned to the FIRST California website for more details on how to apply and be part of this amazing journey! The program is open to California FIRST Robotics Competition students in grades 9-11.

Remember, diversity drives innovation, and together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future in STEM. 

The FIRST For All Fellowship is calling your name!

California teams shine bright at FIRST Championship 2024

The FIRST Championship 2024 in Houston was a spectacular event that brought together approximately 50,000 people from around the globe, uniting over 1,000 student robotics teams from 58 countries. This remarkable gathering highlighted the culmination of the 2023-2024 robotics season, showcasing the innovative spirit and technical prowess of young engineers.

California Teams on the Global Stage

Among the standout achievements, several California teams made their mark with exceptional performances across various competitions. We are especially proud to celebrate California FTC Team 11212 being part of the winning alliance for the FIRST Tech Challenge, three California FRC teams—Team 254, Team 1323, and Team 294—making it to the finalist alliance in the FIRST Robotics Competition, and our two Dean’s List winners, Alisha Ali and Hannah Rehard! Here’s a recap of our California teams’ impressive accomplishments:

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

• Championship Finalist Alliance: Congratulations to Team 254, Team 1323, and Team 294 for their stellar performance, securing the finalist alliance position.
• Dean’s List Winner: Kudos to Alisha Ali from Team 4414 for her outstanding contributions and earning the prestigious Dean’s List award.
• Championship Division Winners:
  • Archimedes: Team 1678
  • Milstein: Team 604
  • Newton: Team 254, Team 1323, Team 294
• Autonomous Award:
  • Archimedes: Team 1678
  • Milstein: Team 604
• Team Sustainability Award:
  • Johnson: Team 2429
  • Milstein: Team 2073
• Rookie Inspire Award:
  • Daly: Team 9400
• Team Spirit Award:
  • Daly: Team 1700
• Quality Award:
  • Galileo: Team 971
• Industrial Design Award:
  • Newton: Team 1323
• Excellence in Engineering:
  • Newton: Team 254

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

• Championship Winning Alliance: The Clueless, Team 11212 from San Diego, took home the championship winning alliance title.
• Inspire Award Finalist: The Clueless, Team 11212, also secured the Inspire Award finalist position.
• Dean’s List Winner: Congratulations to Hannah Rehard from Team 14295, Operation T.A.C., for her remarkable achievements.
• Think Award:
  • Edison Division: Team 14496, Roboctopi
  • Ochoa: Team 11770, Curiosity
• Inspire Award:
  • Franklin Division: Team 11212, The Clueless

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge

• Motivate Award Winner: Code Breakers from Arcadia
• Core Values Finalist: LeXT Eat Yo Vegetables from Aroga Hills
• Innovate Project Award Finalist: Chronobots

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore

• Core Values Award: Team 24123, Starburst Engineers

A huge shout out to all 81 California FIRST teams who competed! Your hard work, creativity, and dedication truly shone through.

Looking Ahead: FIRST DIVE 2024-2025 Season

As the 2023-2024 season concluded, FIRST previewed its ocean-themed 2024-2025 season, FIRST DIVE presented by Qualcomm. The upcoming season promises to inspire students to explore beneath the surface and learn from our planet’s most complex ecosystems.

Registration is now open!

“Qualcomm has supported FIRST for the last two decades because we know passion for invention starts at a young age, and today we have many FIRST alumni driving innovation at our company,” said Angela Baker, vice president and chief sustainability officer of Qualcomm Incorporated. “As a company of inventors, Qualcomm is committed to nurturing the next generation of diverse innovators and technologists. Here at FIRST Championship, we have been excited to see the creative ways students designed and built robots to solve this season’s challenge.”

Join the Journey

FIRST Championship 2024 was a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of young minds passionate about STEM. The achievements of California teams and the broader community of participants are a source of immense pride and inspiration.

For those interested in joining the FIRST community, whether as a participant, mentor, volunteer or sponsor, now is the perfect time. Together, we can continue to drive innovation, foster creativity, and build a brighter future through the power of STEM.

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we embark on the next exciting chapter with the FIRST DIVE 2024-2025 season. Let’s dive into new adventures and make waves in the world of robotics!

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Congratulations once again to all the teams and individuals who made the 2024 FIRST Championship an unforgettable experience. Your hard work and determination have set a new standard of excellence in the world of robotics.