Event schedule for non-FIRSTer?

[JSand]

I'm currently not a member of a FIRST team, though I'm in the process of joining a team. When I saw the championships were here in Atlanta I was really excited to be able to come and see them and learn more about FIRST.

I was able to find a schedule of the event at the Championship, but I am not really clear and what events are open to public attendance. The schedule seemed to be more for the participating teams than for outsiders. Obviously, I would like to watch the matches themselves, but since I am an aspiring FIRSTer I would welcome any other opportunities to be around, so that I can meet people and learn more about FIRST. Also, I am an avid photographer, so I would enjoy any events that may be good photo ops (and I wouldn't mind lending my services to any teams or to help document events, as it would be a great opportunity for me to get behind the scenes). If I am able to go in the pit area at all I would really enjoy that as well. Please let me know about any of the events. I appreciate any help you all can offer.

Thanks,
Josh

[Ricky Q.]

Most of the events on that public schedule are open to the public. You will be able to get into the Georgia Dome to see the fields and opening/closing ceremonies.

Public is also allowed into the pits to walk around and see what everything is all about.

The only things that I can think of that you would not be allowed into is the FIRST Conference Sessions, and any other areas restricted to FIRST or event personnel.

[KelliV]

Originally Posted by Ricky Q.

Public is also allowed into the pits to walk around and see what everything is all about.

Remember to bring safety glasses to wear in the pits even if you are just walking around!

[yodameister]

If you do not have a pair of safety glasses just come by team #1726 and we'll provide you with a pair and we would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about FIRST (or direct you in the right direction). We hope to see you this week.

PS - We would be happy to make you an honorary member of #1726 the N.E.R.D.S (Nifty Engineering Robotics Design Squad) for the weekend until you find your permanent team.

[JSand]

Thanks for the quick responses and clearing up my confusion.

I don't mean to be invasive or anything since I am not on a FIRST championship team (or any team at all yet), but if there are any more informal events being arranged by FIRST participants that I could possibly attend I would appreciate any information about them and perhaps an "okay" as to whether I would be welcomed to them or shunned away.

-Josh

[Tim Delles]

Originally Posted by JSand

Thanks for the quick responses and clearing up my confusion.

I don't mean to be invasive or anything since I am not on a FIRST championship team (or any team at all yet), but if there are any more informal events being arranged by FIRST participants that I could possibly attend I would appreciate any information about them and perhaps an "okay" as to whether I would be welcomed to them or shunned away.

-Josh

Josh,

FIRST is a community. You are welcomed at almost everything that FIRST puts on. As a community we are trying to grow and would never shun anyone away.

The best way to get to know teams is by stopping at there pit and talking to them. If you have questions about a robot take a minute to ask one of the people in that teams pit about it, they will be glad that you are interested in the robot.

Good luck

Tim

[RoboMom]

[shameless plug]
A great way to meet people would be to stop by tomorrow (Tues) and help with set-up of the fields. If you come sometime between 1-3, you will get a t-shirt and dinner. Ask for Dennis Howland.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by JSand

Thanks for the quick responses and clearing up my confusion.

I don't mean to be invasive or anything since I am not on a FIRST championship team (or any team at all yet), but if there are any more informal events being arranged by FIRST participants that I could possibly attend I would appreciate any information about them and perhaps an "okay" as to whether I would be welcomed to them or shunned away.

-Josh

Josh,

I'm going but won't be with a team, if you want you can hang with me on whatever day you want. All of the events happening at Champs during normal hours are open to participants EXCEPT for the FIRST confrences, which is for teams only. Most everything is Ok to attend, but there are no formal "welcome to FIRST" sessions for the general public, even those intrested in starting a team.

[JaneYoung]

Hi Josh:
Welcome.

You might be interested in spending some time browsing the forums here in CD. Look around under Championships and see what interests you there.
Also - since you are a photographer, look in Chit/Chat - Games/Trivia at some of the fun stuff in there.

On the CD home page is the information regarding the Webhug in the courtyard on Thursday at noon - other groups, animators, photographers, FIRSTcast, Genia-toss, are gathering and are setting their times and places.

My suggestion would be to accept 1726's gracious offer as an honorary member while you are visiting. The Championship can be a wonderful but overwhelming experience - having some team support would be awesome and would also give you built-in interpreters for what's going on around you. Also, while in the pit, look for the Hall of Fame.

Enjoy! Wear tennis shoes - no sandals.
Jane

[ChuckDickerson]

Probably the best thing you can do to get a head start as a future FIRST team member would be to go to the Championships and spend a lot of time hanging out in the pits looking closely at the robots and asking LOTS, and LOTS, and LOTS of questions. Every team is always eager to talk about their team and their robot and are happy when a stranger walks up and asks about their robot. You will be able to tell if a team is busy frantically trying to fix something and if so just step back out of the way and watch the teamwork. In fact, you may see people from different teams working together to fix another teams robot. Don't be alarmed. This is perfectly normal FIRST behavior. You will be amazed at the robots and what you can learn in the pits. Of course, spend some time in the GA Dome watching matches but the real action is in the pits if you want make some friends and learn about the robots to get a jump on your future experience on a FIRST team. Don't forget to bring some safety glasses and then stick your head in some robots (ask first, of course) and really look closely at all those really cool drive trains and multi-speed shift on the fly gearboxes. Notice the wide array of wheels and if you find some (and you will) that look like something you have never seen before ask the team how they work and why they used them and if they made them. Of course, this year is a ball game so you will see lots of different mechanisms for picking up balls, hoppers for holding balls, and shooters for scoring. Marvel at the ingenuity of everything. Take notes and LOTS of pictures. Bring a digital camera with extra batteries and memory cards if possible. Make a special point to meet the teams that are based near your hometown. You be glad you did next year when you join a team. Many teams giveaway stuff. Don't be shy, get a button, or a wrist band or whatever they are giving away. If they have paper flyers about their robot or something special like their shifting transmissions, or mecanum wheels, or shooter, etc. grab one to read later. Immerse yourself in the whole FIRST experience and plan to spend as much time as possible. Everyone in FIRST is usually very friendly and wants to help even if it is just to answer your questions. Don't be shy, there are no stupid questions. Some teams guard some of their secrets closely but most will give you the shirt off their back if it will help you fix your robot and get you running in the next match. Watch, learn, ask lots of questions, and listen to the answers but most of all just come on down and have a blast.

BTW: I am a mentor on our team and although our team won't be competing, I am driving 7 hours (one way) to do the same as you. Just hang out, see some friends, and learn what I can from other teams in the pits and watch one of the most exciting competitions in the World. If you want a guide or someone to show you around feel free to PM or email me. I'll be there all day Friday and Saturday.

[petek]

Josh,

A quick brief on what is happening which might not be clear from the public agenda:
Thursday is practice day
First thing in the morning everybody rushes in. It's kinda like a tidal wave, only multi-colored.
The robot crews finish any unpacking that didn't get done Wed., fix anything that they didn't get done at their last regional and play a few practice matches to work the bugs out. If they're having problems, they may be there late (the pits close at 8 PM). Ask about their robots - they love talking about their robots! Ask about how their team fits in their school and what they do on the team. They like to talk about that stuff, too. Take lots of pictures of people talking about their robots. (You can find lots of pictures of robots on the web, so take pictures of people, pit decorations and stuff that's harder to find - and will mean more down the line).
The scouting crews lose their voices and wear holes in their sneakers checking out all the other teams in their divisions.
Team members get ready for presentations to the judges and try to unload some of the buttons and handouts they're carrying around.
Everyone meets up with old friends and make new ones.
Friday is when things get serious
Go to the opening ceremonies. Take lots of pictures of the crowded stands.
Go to the pits and talk to the teams some more. Now they have their qualifying schedules and know what teams they'll be playing with and against. See the teams strategize.
Try following a team or two for a couple of hours to see how they fair and how they deal with problems. Wear your feet out walking back and forth between the dome and the pits. Snap a few of the frisbee games along the way.
Watch how everyone goes on their best behavior when the nice folks in the blue shirts come by. They're the judges. More photo ops of students telling the judges about how neat their robot is, etc.
Check out the the teams with lots of spirit in the stands (More Kodak moments). Check out the Lego League competitors from around the world (hope you brought a lot of memory and batteries for the camera). And comfortable shoes. Don't forget to check out the Vex teams and their competition - they make up for their smaller size with big ideas and enthusiasm. Seriously, check out the Vex robots and be amazed at what they do.
Saturday is intense
If you thought people worked, cheered and played hard on Friday, you ain't seen nuttin. By Saturday morning qualifying most of the teams and their robots are working about as well as they can and the on-field action starts getting very serious. Lots of scoring, lots of defense and lots of cheering from the stands. Good thing you have lots of empty memory in the camera, right?
By the end of qualifying in the morning, the teams are schemeing and strategizing, jockeying to be chosen or figuring out who to choose for the eliminations in the afternoon.
After qualifying wraps up, the top teams pick their alliance partners for the afternoon eliminations. Once these selections are made, there will be lots of groups of driving teams gathering in each others pits and wherever they can find space to figure out how they'll play against their competitors.
There will be some great matches played in the eliminations. Epic struggle kind of stuff, with extra matches deciding ties, brutal defense and some great scoring. But don't forget to watch the people - the faces and gestures of the driving teams, the fans in the stands screaming and the intensity of the referees.

I hope that helps a little to prepare you for a three-day long pep-rally-to-end all-pep-rallies. If you can, follow RoboMom's invitation to help set up - it will be a great experience and may open a few doors for you. And by all means, get to know some of the other nice folks who offered to take you under their wings and let them show you around. One great thing about the Championship is that there is never enough time, so there's always lots more to do and people to meet the next time!

[Richard Wallace]

Great post above by petek, especially the advice on what to photgraph:

Originally Posted by petek

Take lots of pictures of people talking about their robots. (You can find lots of pictures of robots on the web, so take pictures of people, pit decorations and stuff that's harder to find - and will mean more down the line). ...But don't forget to watch the people - the faces and gestures of the driving teams, the fans in the stands screaming and the intensity of the referees.

For examples of photos that focus on people and their reactions look here.