Badges to Bots: The Roadmap to Bringing Girl Scouts Into FIRST
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
Badges to Bots: The Roadmap to Bringing Girl Scouts Into FIRST
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250 B/C
This seminar will provide attendees a year-round plan to hook Girl Scout's interest in STEM through FIRST programs. DERT has an established methodology to accomplish that goal. Keeping FIRST in mind, DERT created this session to detail three phases to enable attendees to engage the next generation in STEM. They consist of outreach events with your local Girl Scouts, earning badges, and inspiring them to join FIRST by observing FRC competitions. After the Girl Scouts have completed these phases, they will have the tools they need to create a FIRST team of their own from materials provided in this session.
Diversity & Inclusion
How Block Programming Inspired Our Inspire Winning Team!
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
How Block Programming Inspired Our Inspire Winning Team!
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251 B/C
Our team dynamics changed when the entire team learned how to program our robot. While our programmers still used Java, everyone on the team learned Blocks, allowing us to speed up our development process and maintain our outreach robots. We were no longer dependent on our 2 programmers to get things done. We will present examples from our team and how it is a great tool for all teams. We will share our hands-on training presentations that have inspired many teams to get excited about the robot build. This presentation is targeted for team leaders, outreach leaders and coaches.
Technical
Continuing the Mission: Connecting FIRST Robotics Teams with German High Schools through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP)
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
Continuing the Mission: Connecting FIRST Robotics Teams with German High Schools through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP)
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
The ERSTE Initiative (ERSTE is the German word for FIRST ) combines FIRST with GAPP (the German American Partnership Program). This alignment has provided an unrivaled educational and cultural experience for participants and their teams, schools, families, communities, and countries.
Education & Innovation
Understanding & Confronting Bias
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Understanding & Confronting Bias
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
There are simple ways to help people measure how aware / comfortable they are with diversity and interacting with people who are different than themselves. This session content is especially relevant for FIRST folks who feel they are very welcoming and inclusive, but maybe are not as much as they think. It is also intended for people who may be unsure how to respond to bias when they experience or witness it.
Diversity & Inclusion
Chairman's Chat
8:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 260
Chairman's Chat
8:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 260
The Chairman's Chat is a long-standing FIRST Championship tradition. Representatives for FIRST Hall of Fame teams (FIRST Robotics Competition teams who have won the Championship Chairman's Award) and actual Championship Chairman's Award judges will serve on a panel to share their experiences competing for and judging the top award in the FIRST Robotics Competition - The Chairman's Award. This session will have a panel format and will consist mostly of an interactive Q&A session between the audience and panelists. Please bring as many team members and Chairman's Award questions as you like!
Mentor & Coach
Level Up: When Your Student Needs College Level Content Early
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
Level Up: When Your Student Needs College Level Content Early
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
It is not uncommon for bright students to "max out" the content available to them in their school setting, especially in areas of passion and ability. The research shows that well planned acceleration provides these students with short and long-term benefits. There are many options available to students that afford them access to college level content without, necessarily, leaving for "sleep away" college. This "nuts and bolts" session will provide you with the tools you need to investigate and assess your options and, should you choose to move forward, develop a plan that will work for your student.
Education & Innovation
Host Your Own FIRST Tech Challenge Camp or Workshop (With Resource Materials!)
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Host Your Own FIRST Tech Challenge Camp or Workshop (With Resource Materials!)
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
How to run a full day, week long FTC summer camp, or smaller workshops. The camp packs a whole FTC season experience into five days. Over a dozen information sessions include design/build, CAD, programming, outreach, marketing, engineering notebook, and teambuilding. All sessions were given by middle school veterans and the camp is primarily student mentor led. Campers build and modify pushbots, give presentations to judges, and compete in a modified robot game in front of an audience. All resources will be provided, including 24+ presentations, schedules, pushbot manuals, camp robot game manuals, activities, and forms to document camp.
Mentor & Coach
Applying Industrial Engineering to FIRST - Optimizing Your Team and Season
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251A
Applying Industrial Engineering to FIRST - Optimizing Your Team and Season
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251A
"Industrial Engineering can bring your team to optimum efficiency. This presentation covers applying principles of Industrial Engineering (IE) to FIRST programs, including managing team productivity, continuous process improvement, and best practices for maximizing both the student experience and your team's competition success.
IE principles covered (with example applications) include:
- Standardization
- Design for Manufacturing
- Design of Experiments
- Six Sigma
- Operations Management"
Mentor & Coach
Putting FIRST to Work for You
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
Putting FIRST to Work for You
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
Companies want and need FIRST talent! Join us for a special Q&A panel discussion about leveraging your FIRST experiences as you move into your career. Whether you're in school or have years of work experience under your belt, you'll get information about the recruiting priorities at these top companies as well as tips that will help guide you to career paths that leverage your FIRST skills.
Panelists: ABB - Jason Green, Human Resources Business Partner, BAE Systems - Madeline Burris, Java Software Engineer (FIRST Alum), PwC - Rod Adams, US Talent Acquisition Leader, Qualcomm - Courtney Lach, Manager, Talent Acquisition, Rockwell Automation - Jay Flores, Global STEM Ambassador
Alumni & Career
SafeZone Primer
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
SafeZone Primer
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
This session provides an overview of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) "Hear My Voice" project, Youth Advisory Committee, and other ED&I youth projects. This session is centered on empowering "Youth Voice" within FIRST. In this session, you will learn about ways to get involved with youth-led diversity initiatives, ED&I Youth Training Modules, and strategies to help make FIRST a more inclusive environment.
Diversity & Inclusion
How 4 Simple Steps Can Improve Your Team's Presentation
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
How 4 Simple Steps Can Improve Your Team's Presentation
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
Building a strong team in all aspects of FLL is important. Many teams have an efficient robot, great core values, and an innovative project, but even a well rounded team can fall short if they do not present well. The Robofoxes, over our years together as a team, have learned how to refine our presentation skills to wow the judges. Our method has always served us well, and is very simple. We hope to help teams improve their impact on the judges and give a memorable presentation.
Mentor & Coach
The Next Frontier: Inclusion of Twice-Exceptional Students - Strategies That Work!
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251A
The Next Frontier: Inclusion of Twice-Exceptional Students - Strategies That Work!
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251A
Many twice-exceptional/2e (gifted plus a learning difference) students are drawn to robotics, but many coaches feel they lack strategies to include these students in a meaningful and safe manner. After providing the basics on giftedness and 2e, we will take you on a deep dive into the inner experience of being 2e. We will offer strategies for coaches and mentors to facilitate inclusion of 2e students in robotics activities at all levels, FLL through FRC. If you ever felt like you "let one get away," or you need support for your 2e students, this session is for you!
Diversity & Inclusion
An 18-Year-Olds Take: Development Strategies for Creative STEM Education
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
An 18-Year-Olds Take: Development Strategies for Creative STEM Education
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 250A
Have you ever wondered how to craft the perfect engaging STEM experience for children? Through starting 25 STEM community programs, mentoring/assisting 35 robotics teams, and creating successful STEAM curriculum, Danielle knows all about creating innovative STEM educational programs. Her strong technical background develops a rich experience that will leave you walking away with tips and tricks to start your own creative STEM programs. Whether it be an online, local, or international initiative she has tips for everyone on thinking outside of the box, audience, creating manageable goals, research, resources, utilizing your passions, and more!
Education & Innovation
What's FIRST ? A 30,000 foot view of FIRST Programs, Student Impact and Educator Resources
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
What's FIRST ? A 30,000 foot view of FIRST Programs, Student Impact and Educator Resources
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
Need a boost to your STEM initiatives in your classroom or district? Learn how your school district can pull FIRST robotics programs into K-12 curriculum, while bringing connections to the community, to Common Core, and 21st century standards.
Education & Innovation
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - PRESENTATION
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - PRESENTATION
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Ilene Rein, President of Pounding Pavement 101 and Professional Recruiter, shares the inside secrets of what a Recruiter is listening for when asking questions during an interview. We review commonly asked questions and recommend how best to answer them to highlight your background in the best light to land that job!
Alumni & Career
Astronaut Encounter
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 260
Astronaut Encounter
10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Cobo - 260
Ever wonder what it's like to travel in space? How about conduct STEM experiments on a space expedition? Come meet former NASA astronaut and current Collins Aerospace Senior Technical Fellow Dan Burbank who has logged 188 days in space and over 7 hours of spacewalk time. Bring your your *far-out* questions for Dan to answer about his time away from Earth and share your FIRST space projects & experiences from the current season.
Education & Innovation
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - PRESENTATION
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - PRESENTATION
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Ilene Rein, President of Pounding Pavement 101 and Professional Recruiter, shares the inside secrets of what a Recruiter is listening for when asking questions during an interview. We review commonly asked questions and recommend how best to answer them to highlight your background in the best light to land that job!
Alumni & Career
FIRST Scholarship and Internship Portals
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
FIRST Scholarship and Internship Portals
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
You hear a lot about the FIRST Scholarship Program as a FIRST participant or parent, and maybe a little about internships, but sometimes not enough! Join FIRST Alumni Relations Manager Michelle Long for a conversation about the FIRST Scholarship Program and Internship Portal Q&A. In addition to usability demonstrations and tips, we encourage attendees to provide feedback for future system iterations and ways to make it easier for all FIRST participants to #ApplyApplyApply
Alumni & Career
How To Win Awards in FIRST Robotics Competition
11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
How To Win Awards in FIRST Robotics Competition
11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
"Whether you're a rookie or an original and sustaining team, this presentation will give you a new outlook on submission based, technical and team awards! This is a detailed guided tour on how to understand each award and how to best apply and present.
Included in this presentation is what awards can do for your team, key phrases, interview tips from a World Championship Dean's List Winner, and much more! We will go over each award in great detail and how to prepare for judging and award submissions, focusing on a year-long approach to continuous improvement and refinement."
Mentor & Coach
Building Communities for Early STEM Education
12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
Building Communities for Early STEM Education
12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
We know STEM education must start young, but a major challenge in promoting elementary robotics, like FLL Jr., is fear. Parents would be on-board if we ran FIRST programs for their children; alas, it's impossible for high-school students to manage teams for every kid in their community. So, how do we make parents comfortable running robotics teams? How can we show them that they truly don't need technical knowledge to be amazing coaches? FTC team Wizards.exe will talk through how building communities around early STEM education accomplishes this and helps ensure availability of such programs for kids at early ages.
Diversity & Inclusion
Inspiring Careers in STEM - How to Find Your Dream Job and Change the World
12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
Inspiring Careers in STEM - How to Find Your Dream Job and Change the World
12:30 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
The increase in STEM employment hit 24% over the last decade. As this growth continues, how can you navigate the field to secure your dream job? Why is a career in STEM worth considering? What experiences should you pursue to position yourself for a rewarding career after graduation? What qualities should you look for in an employer to ensure a challenging and fulfilling career? Come hear a diverse panel of STEM representatives - VPs, managers, and recent college graduates - address these topics. Ask your questions on how to get the most out of a career in STEM!
Alumni & Career
Putting the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit to Work for Your Team
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Putting the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit to Work for Your Team
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Is fundraising a challenge for your team? The FIRST Fundraising Toolkit is an amazing tool for those who know how to use it, but you need to know how to use it. Join the creator of the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit to learn how to put the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit to use in your area, with your unique community, for your team!
Education & Innovation
Applying CAD and Strategic Design in Competitive Robotics
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
Applying CAD and Strategic Design in Competitive Robotics
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
Understanding how CAD and strategic design can facilitate higher levels of success for all FTC and FRC teams; regardless of resource level. In addition, learn how a team can create a solid training program to insure student involvement in CAD.
Technical
What You Need to Know About Financial Aid
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
What You Need to Know About Financial Aid
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
An introduction to the basic concepts of financial aid for student and their parents.
Alumni & Career
The FIRST Advocacy Network: Engage your community and your country!
1:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
The FIRST Advocacy Network: Engage your community and your country!
1:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251B/C
You will learn how to develop an advocacy program with your team to develop relationships with policy makers locally, in your state capital, and in Washington, DC to dramatically extend your team's reach and expand STEM opportunities for kids both in your community and across our nation!
Mentor & Coach
STEM Outreach: How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
The FIRST Advocacy Network: Engage your community and your country!
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
"This presentation will review Team 2220 STEM outreach activities. From brainstorming and planning, to selecting activities and implementation. Teams will share activities that they do for outreach and how they make contacts. The goal of this presentation is to help other teams develop a culture of STEM outreach.
Team 2220 will review the goals of our outreach programs, including Eagan FIRST Robotics, WIRES (Women In Robotics Empowering Sisters), STEM in Action and Robots Without Borders. We will provide an opportunity for teams to network, brainstorm and develop their own ideas for outreach they can do in their local communities."
Education & Innovation
Don't Get Stuck. Get Creative!
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250A
Don't Get Stuck. Get Creative!
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250A
We've all been there. The new game gets released and you start thinking about what robot your team should build. The team holds a brainstorming session and only a short list of ideas is developed. You're stuck and it's either find a "Robot in Three Days" video on YouTube or take your idea generation to the next level. This session "Don't get stuck. Get Creative!" will introduce you to alternative methods for developing more solutions. Topics to be covered will include common idea blockers, enhancements for regular brainstorming, and idea generation methods that any team can utilize.
Education & Innovation
FIRST Alumni Groups Meet-up
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
FIRST Alumni Groups Meet-up
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250B/C
An opportunity for those involved with, or interested in starting, local FIRST Alumni Groups to connect, share best practices, and strengthen community.
Alumni & Career
Youth Voice: Advancing ED&I through Youth Leadership
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Youth Voice: Advancing ED&I through Youth Leadership
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Real inclusion takes effort! Learn how to sign up to officially become an Influencer today, and FIRST will empower you with the tools and training to inspire awareness, share resources, and implement dynamic strategies to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for STEM. FIRST Allies & Influencers is a movement of impassioned community partner organizations, local governments, foundations, businesses, schools and universities who believe deeply in advancing equity and improving outcomes for all.
Diversity & Inclusion
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - WORKSHOP
2:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 260
Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - WORKSHOP
2:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 260
You prepare for tests? Why would you not prepare for an interview???
Ilene Rein, President of Pounding Pavement 101 and Professional Recruiter, shares the inside secrets to what a Recruiter is listening for in an interview. Together we develop answers to interview questions, work on building confidence and reducing anxiety. NO MOCK INTERVIEWS! Walk out prepared to ace your interview and land that job!
Recommended Prerequisite: Ace Your Next Interview: Inside Secrets from a Professional Recruiter - PRESENTATION"
Alumni & Career
Beyond high school: the long-term impact of FIRST on students
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250A
Beyond high school: the long-term impact of FIRST on students
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 250A
Five years of data collection provide evidence that FIRST is having a positive impact on student interest, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in science, technology, engineering and math. This session will provide an overview of the FIRST Longitudinal Study, key findings, and provide Teams with tools/resources to use in presentations, grant requests, and other communications with supporters and sponsors to demonstrate the long term impact of FIRST on participating students.
Education & Innovation
Students with Learning Differences Can Succeed in FIRST
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
Students with Learning Differences Can Succeed in FIRST
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 251A
Students with learning differences such as ADHD or dyslexia, often struggle with traditional educational methods. It becomes life changing when a student discovers their learning difference not to be a barrier that blocks their path, but rather it becomes a path to higher achievement. By allowing our students have opportunities to take calculated risks, they have the ability to succeed and accomplish things that no one expects. The experiences through FIRST helped provide students with more confidence in technology and engineering. This presentation led by students with learning differences will discuss experiences and successes of participating in FIRST.
Diversity & Inclusion
FIRST Allies & Influencers: Advancing ED&I Locally
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
FIRST Allies & Influencers: Advancing ED&I Locally
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Cobo - 252A/B
Safe Zone trainings are opportunities to learn about LGBTQ+ identities, gender and sexuality, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. You may have seen a sticker or sign that says "Safe Zone" or "Safe Zone Trained." These visual indicators can mean a variety of things in different communities.
Most often we find they indicate that the person displaying the sticker has gone through a Safe Zone training and wants to communicate to others that they are open to talking about and being supportive of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning +) individuals and identities. Attend our session and learn how to become an influencer in your community today!
Diversity & Inclusion
