What's good everybody?! I hope everyone is doing well. School has started for most of our district and that can be bittersweet. But let's make the most of it. Marie Curie once said:

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

Wherever you find yourself in life now, keep pushing, keep striving, keep going. There's something that you add to the world and you deserve to share it.

This edition of the FRC Link will be pretty lengthy. Now that we are back in season, a lot is going on. We still have some part-time job openings, off-season events are starting soon, volunteer and team training is happening soon, grant opportunities, and more. But before we dig in, let us know how you and your team are doing. Take a few minutes to fill out our Team Health Survey so we can find ways to better serve you.

There are also several Off-Season events taking place this fall. Make sure you don't miss out!

Saturday, Sept. 28, Chesapeake Robotics Icebreaker at Hayfield Secondary School

Reach out to Lead Mentor Joseph Kerns if interested in buying new batteries. Orders must be placed by 9/14.

Saturday, Oct. 19, Blue Ridge Brawl at Andrew Lewis Middle School

Sunday, Oct. 20, Battle O' Baltimore at Glenelg High School

Saturday, Oct. 26, Rumble #9 w/ Cheese at Deep Run High School

(Waitlisting teams now)

Registration is open for all of these events so don't delay!

To raise the caliber of all our FRC teams, especially new and young teams, FIRST Chesapeake is starting a Team Support System, entitled Catalyst. The objective of this system is to raise the caliber of our struggling teams so they can attend both district events, pass inspection on the first attempt at each event, and play in all of their qualification matches.

I have been motivated by the great efforts of the FRC teams I've met. I have learned a lot from our community. This system is a way to support our teams/mentors who need it most and to make it easier to connect them to their peers. This system will include a training program for mentors so that the "firehouse" of information is easier to manage. It will also include a team-to-team mentoring component. Some teams have already engaged in mentoring other teams. We plan to incorporate that model here.

We are looking for 5 to 7 more teams across FIRST Chesapeake to volunteer as GuideSquads, to help guide and support the teams we bring through. Hit me up if you're interested and I'll get you more info.

"Each one, Teach one."

Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of robotics with the FRC REEFSCAPE schedule for 2025! With six exciting district events lined up, culminating in a spectacular championship in Upper Marlboro, MD, the anticipation is bubbling like a well-oiled machine!

Make sure to complete your registration on time, as event selection kicks off on September 26th! We can't wait to see you shine and make a splash in REEFSCAPE!

Are you passionate about FIRST Robotics and supporting the next generation? Are you looking for ways that you can support your local FIRST community?

FIRST Chesapeake is seeking several enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our team!! We are looking for part-time Sub-district Volunteer Coordinators and Equipment Managers!

In these vital roles, you'll be key in supporting our FTC and FRC teams and events.

The Sub-District Volunteer Coordinator plays a vital role in recruiting, managing, and coordinating volunteers for local events within the FIRST program. This individual will work closely with the District Volunteer Coordinator, Program Directors, District Volunteer Leads, On-Site Volunteer Coordinators, and Planning Committees to ensure effective volunteer engagement and a seamless event experience. The position requires a commitment of 5 to 10 hours per week, with some flexibility for weeknight and weekend work.

The Equipment Managers will support FRC and FTC events in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. The role involves operational, production, and event support responsibilities like packing/unloading PODs, setting up power and AV systems, and providing training. Applicants should have FIRST experience, especially in event setup and AV. The position requires the ability to attend training sessions, work several event weekends, and perform physical tasks like standing and lifting.

We are still looking for applicants in all of MD, southwest VA, and northern VA. If you are interested, click the appropriate button below to apply.

We are thrilled to introduce our dedicated FRC Volunteer Advisory Committee members. This diverse group of volunteers has passionately devoted their summer to enhancing our volunteer processes. Their invaluable insights and unique perspectives on FRC volunteerism truly reflect our commitment at FIRST Chesapeake to empower youth and foster community involvement.

If you have FRC volunteerism concerns or ideas, feel free to contact the FRC VAC at

frc-vac@firstchesapeake.org

Please welcome these dedicated volunteers to their new roles!

Rishabh Gadi

Chris Garrity

David Keegan

Brandon Landreth

Erin Largen

Josh Marciante

Facilitator

Deandre’ Taylor

Secretary

Caroline Turkanis

Volunteer of the Year

Steve Shade

Frederick Monroe

Emmet Ryan

Shivam Shah

Farish Perlman

Greyson Weimer

Vannia Willis

The FIRST®/BAE Systems Team Grant Application period is now open for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. Interested teams may apply via this link.

While all teams are eligible to apply for funding, BAE Systems may prioritize applications meeting at least one of the below criteria:

• Teams located within 75 miles of a BAE Systems site (see application for a list of our locations)
• Teams with BAE Systems mentors; if you are interested in having a BAE Systems mentor, please tell us in your application so we can do our best to match you. 
• Teams with an existing relationship with BAE Systems
• Teams demonstrating diversity in STEM (meeting one of the criteria below):
• Teams affiliated with Title 1 schools
• Teams with high needs (more than 50% free/reduced lunch rates at affiliated schools)
• Teams made up of more than 50% underrepresented populations in STEM fields (women, LGBTQ+ youth, BIPOC and Latinx students, youth with disabilities)
•  Teams with exemplary community outreach to underrepresented population

The FRC deadline is September 13, 2024. If you have additional questions, please contact bae.firstrobotics@baesystems.com.

For the 2024-2025 FIRST® DIVE℠ season, REV Robotics is thrilled to award $100,000 in total sponsorships for FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition teams!

Our sponsorship program is designed for teams that excel on the playing field while being leaders of their local FIRST community through outreach and sharing their knowledge. Sponsored teams will become #TeamREV Brand Ambassadors, sharing the values and ideals of REV Robotics through our joint participation in FIRST programs. Teams will complete activities and challenges to earn rewards and surprises.

Sponsorship applications are open NOW through September 17, 2024. We look forward to welcoming the new class of #TeamREV in Fall 2024!

The purpose of this grant is to provide opportunities for students to engage in robotics education programs that will help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. This is achieved by introducing them to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming at their local high school.

The Robotics Grant Program is designed to ensure that all students in Maryland have access to robotics education programs that are aligned with the Maryland K-12 Computer Science Standards and/or the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy. These programs can be implemented within the school day or as extracurricular activities and may include the development of new programs or the expansion of existing programs. Grant awards will range from $5000 to $20,000.

The deadline for this grant is Sept. 16 at 5 pm. For more information and to apply, click on the button below.