November 2018
TopHear
FIRST!
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed. Dig it.

Did you miss us?

It's a brand new quarter and a brand new   newsletter! 
And it's more fun than milking butterflies.  

Suited Up and Ready

Everyone is excited about the new FIRST space theme! There is a lot of news to share- Welcome Letter, Online Videos, Grant Announcement, updated Events Calendar, Dean's List Reminder,   and more- whew !!

So hold on to your pressure gauge-  a nd keep reading for these topics  and more.

And please pass this newsletter on to teams, parents and students.
(a web link is at the top of this email- the "click here")
To subscribe to the newsletter, just fill out this form.

STEM in 30 Feature
STEM in 30 is an interactive classroom program consisting of 30-minute webcasts that engage middle school students in STEM topics ranging from WWI airplanes to rovers on Mars. 

Their first episode of the season, "Robotics: FIRST There Were People, Then There Were Machines," featured FIRST teams from both FIRST Chesapeake ( Aegis Robotics) and Virginia Washington DC FIRST LEGO League ( Cascades Thunderbots) !  

This episode is available for viewing at  https://airandspace.si.edu/connect/stem-30/archive

Learn about Robotics from the Experts, students. STEM in 30: Robotics
Learn about Robotics from the Experts, students. STEM in 30: Robotics
FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List Submissions
The deadline for submissions for the Dean's List is the 15th of the month prior to the event where the student will be interviewed.  If you are planning on submitting nominations for the Dean's List for any of the following December Qualifiers, the deadline for the submission is November 15 at 11:59 pm EST :


Who is Eligible? Any team member who is in 10th or 11th grade may be nominated for the Dean's List Award. However, each team may only submit two nominations. Students who are in 10th and 11th grade that mentor the team (and do not actively participate as members of the team) are not eligible.
 
Other important items to note:
 
  • A mentor of the team who is unrelated to the student being nominated should submit the nomination for the Dean's List Award.
  • It is required that the coach/mentor making the nomination choose an event within their own state/region AND an event where they will be competing for the Semi-finalist to be interviewed.
  • The second student nomination must be for the same event chosen for the first student nomination. If you choose to submit only one student to an event, you will not be able to go back and add another student to a later event once the deadline has passed.
 
Here is a link to the Dean's List Nomination Guide for instructions on how to submit your nomination(s):
Upcoming Events Calendar
Here are some upcoming FIRST and STEM-related events. Click through the links  for more information or visit the 
FIRST Chesapeake Events calendar
 for even more event listings.
Learn more about volunteering with FIRST Chesapeake here.
FIRST Tech Challenge Grants
Awarded
Congratulations! Four FIRST Tech Challenge teams and Hampton Roads' new STEM Gym have been awarded grants from Newport News Shipbuilding.

Through their annual support of FIRST Chesapeake, Newport News Shipbuilding provides funds that FIRST Chesapeake can then award through a competitive process to Hampton Roads teams.   Funds were also granted to support Hampton Roads' STEM Gym this season.

Thank you Newport News Shipbuilding for your generous support of STEM education in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Together, we are building tomorrow's technology leaders.

Black Girls Code Event Featured FIRST Chesapeake Teams


Three FIRST Chesapeake teams presented at the Black Girls Code event on Saturday October 13th. The event was hosting by Microsoft in Washington DC. Teams represented were -  FRC 5587 Titan Robotics; Absolute Control - FRC Team 5945, and FTC Team 3595 Schrodingers Hat.





Presenting teams demonstrated their 'bots to the attending girls and parents, and answered questions about their teams.



~Share YOUR team's outreach stories and photos, as well as online, newspaper, and TV articles with us by sending them to [email protected] ~
We Need YOU to Volunteer for Upcoming Events
Do you have parents or student team members with some time on their hands? We could use their help at these upcoming events:
Technical experience NOT REQUIRED! We have many jobs that just require someone willing to help. Positions available for as short as 2 hours or as long as all day. Minimum age 13.

The sooner people sign up, the better chance they have of getting the job they want.

Need volunteer hours for a club or honor society? We'll sign paperwork for you as well!

Go to our webpage for more information, or click here to sign up NOW.
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Keep up with all things FTC and FRC by liking and or following FIRST Chesapeake on all our social media accounts! 

 
 

Nov1
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