In this Edition

• VH-109 Grant Sponsored by Capital Technology University
• FRC Kickoff
• Catalyst Re:Action Series
• Women In STEM Scholarship Application

What's up FRC Family?

As we move through this holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for each and every one of you in our FRC community. This year has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and it’s your dedication and passion that make our program thrive.

I am truly grateful for the hard work of our volunteers, the guidance of our coaches, and the enthusiasm of our students. Each of you brings unique strengths and perspectives to the table, and together, we create an environment rich in learning and collaboration.

Our program wouldn’t exist without your unwavering commitment and support. I feel privileged to serve such an inspiring community, and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together in the coming weeks and beyond.

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, love, and reflection.

31 days.

Kickoff for REEFSCAPE is only 31 days away! The excitement is rising as we count down to the FRC Kickoff on January 4, 2025! This year's kickoff promises to be an unforgettable experience, unveiling the new game that will challenge our creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills. Join us for a day filled with inspiration, innovation, and the thrill of competition. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, this is your chance to connect with the FRC community and ignite your passion for robotics.

Several of our Kickoff sites are doing something special this year. Strategy sessions, skill Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and prepare for an amazing season ahead!

FIRST Chesapeake's Catalyst Program is underway! This team support system aims to strengthen our teams by providing them with the mentoring and assistance they need to excel. This system includes being paired with a GuideSquad, joint build sessions, training events like the one above, and bi-weekly coaching sessions called Re:Action sessions.

Our next Catalyst Re:Action session is on Wed. Dec. 4 at 4 PM and we will discuss Effective Troubleshooting in FRC. This session will talk about essential troubleshooting strategies and problem-solving techniques specific to FRC. There will be tips for debugging code and addressing electrical system issues, ensuring teams can efficiently resolve common challenges.

The Catalyst Reaction Series will resume on Wed. Jan. 8, 2025 at 4 PM. We're going to break down the game manual, brainstorm strategies, and establish/polish your project plans.

New Radios this season!

Each team will be sent a new VH-109 Radio in their season-specific box at kickoff. These radios should be easier to use and fix some networking issues. Several off-season events have tested the new radios with great success. Stay tuned for more news.

VH-109 Firmware Update

Pre-order Game Pieces!?!?!

This year, teams can pre-order additional game pieces through Andy Mark. Game Piece 1 should be easy to get, but Game Piece 2 comes from overseas.

Teams will still get one of each in the season-specific box at kick-off.

Pre-order yours now!!

New Bumper Rules

FIRST has released updates to the bumper rules. These updates should make it easier to build bumpers and pass inspections (which is where a lot of inspection time is spent).

• Increased hard parts limit from 1 in. to 1.5 in.
• Removed specific measurement requirement on frame backing
• Allowed thicker padding extending up to 4.25 in from the frame perimeter.
• Taller bumpers allowed
• Disallowed weaker corner construction options like mitered and wrap-around corners.

Read the full set of changes with the button below.



Awards & Judging Updates

There are several major updates to this year's awards. Here are a few excerpts.

Rookie Awards: The Rookie Inspiration Award is removed; a new Rising All-Star Award is introduced to recognize teams overcoming challenges in their early stages.

FIRST Impact Award: Executive Summary questions have been updated based on feedback. Teams must submit videos via the designated portal, and sibling teams must coordinate submissions.

Silent Observer: Teams can bring one adult observer for feedback during judging.

🌟 Empower Your Future with Our Women In STEM Scholarship! 🌟

Are you a high school junior or senior who identifies as female and is involved with a FIRST team? We invite you to apply for our Women In STEM scholarship program! This initiative is designed to support and inspire young women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With financial assistance and mentorship opportunities, we aim to empower the next generation of female leaders in STEM. Don’t miss your chance to make your mark—apply today and unlock your potential!

In October we hosted a hybrid Robot Inspector Training at the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation. Special thanks to our Senior Lead Robot Inspector, Dr. Kate McBryan, and Team 9072 TigerBots for putting on this training for our community. If you were unable to attend, watch the recording below.

Stay tuned for the 2025 training schedule!

As we move deeper into the year, I encourage you to create balance in your life and thoughts. Lean into your community when you need help, and sit back when you need to rest. Try not to get stuck on what was or what isn't, and take a step back. There's probably a lot to be grateful for, right under your nose.

Peace and Blessings

"Strive for your excellence."

Anne Shade

FIRST Chesapeake Director of Operations