Cargo Connect Launch, Grants, & More

Grants (⚠️You Can’t Get Them If You Don’t Apply)

There are still opportunities to fund your team this season! Please take a look below regarding John Deere (more information) and ARCO Murray/Bike Ride for the Kids Grants are still available!

If you are a teacher, DonorsChoose.org is always a great way to secure funding for your FIRST LEGO League Challenge team.

If you have questions about grants or team funding, please reach out to us:

fllchallenge@firstillinoisrobotics.org

Help! National Team Registration How-To Video is Here

FIRST has created this video to help support new coaches who are registering a FIRST LEGO League Challenge team for the first time, or the first time in a while!

Check out their helpful video here:

https://youtu.be/g3moGSjkBis

FIRST Cargo Connect Launch 🚛✈️

August 17th

11:00am Central

On this ^^ day and time, the Cargo Connect challenge will be released worldwide. The page (link below in blue) will be updated at that time with all the important Cargo Connect season information, so be sure to

📍Bookmark it now:

https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/fll/challenge/challenge-and-resources

This page ^^ will have the mission model build instructions, season rubrics, project information, and more. But, none of it will be updated until after the launch date above.

Illinois Team Registration is Open

⚠️Please remember that in order to register in Illinois, you must first register Nationally. National team registration is found at www.firstinspires.org .

✍️To register in Illinois, please go to our website www.firstillinoisrobotics.org and click >COACH LOGIN at the top of the page. NOTE: You must enter your National team number when you register in Illinois.

Or you can click here to go straight to Illinois Registration.

📍We have updated the qualifiers that are available to teams for this season, and we have added a Remote Event Option. If you ONLY want a remote event, please choose the Remote Event as your first choice pick. We will assume that any team that has chosen the Remote Event option as their first choice, only wants a remote event, even though other choices must be picked. Teams must choose a minimum of 3 events, and can choose up to 4 events.

📝You can change your event selection by logging back in, making the changes, and saving them. You can change your event picks and preferences through October 15th.

⚠️Not all events have confirmed dates or locations yet. This is due to Covid and we ask that you are patient with us. As we receive updates, we will make announcements to teams through this email list, so stay tuned.

If you have questions, please reach out to us at fllchallenge@firstillinoisrobotics.org

Cargo Connect Launch is Coming!

August 17th at Noon EDT, so 11am here locally, all of the season content will be released worldwide! Be sure your team is ready and sign up for the reminder email from FIRST:

https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll#challenge-and-season

https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/challenge-and-season-info

Spike Prime Session Recording

Thank you to all the coaches who participated and Jay Kinzie for volunteering his time!

Here’s the session recording:

Everything Robots - Spike Prime Robots Session Recording July 13th

Here is the new resource list from Jay:

Robot Resources

If you have questions about Spike Prime or topics discussed in the session, you can reach Jay Kinzie here.

Next Coach Roundtable

Monday, August 30th 8pm

Our next Coach Roundtable will be Monday, August 30th @8pm. Please plan to join us. Bring any questions about the season that you have! The call-in details are here:

Topic: FIRST LEGO League Challenge Coach Round Table Discussion

Time: Monday, August 30th 8pm

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1461267016

Coach Round Table Discussion Slides From June 28th

The next Round Table Coach Call is scheduled for Monday, August 30th @8pm as well. So be sure to join us then.

Slides from the Monday, June 28th Meeting

John Deere Grant Opportunity Still Available!!

John Deere has made significant changes to the grant opportunities they are extending to FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams this season. Teams are encouraged to review the guidelines and inquire early as the grant opportunity has expanded to more teams than ever. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2021 for this season. Please learn more here.

Apply here!

ARCO Murray/Bike Ride for the Kids Grant Application Still Available!!

Any team in financial need can apply to this open grant. We have New Team grants and Returning Team grants available. Please click on the link to read all the specifics. First round grants will be awarded shortly after August 1st. The grant will remain open until the September 15th deadline or until all funds are exhausted.

Apply Here Now!!

FIRST Forward

This season there is a theme which unites all of the FIRST programs from FIRST LEGO League Discover (for pre-K) through FIRST Robotics Competition (for 9th-12th graders). This year the overall theme is FIRST Forward. If you haven’t seen the intro video for the season theme, be sure to grab your crew and check it out here:

FIRST Forward Video

Cargo Connect Teaser

Are You Purchasing a Class Pack? Read On.

FIRST Rookie Team Grants Tied to Class Packs

If you register a Class Pack (non-competitive classroom model) in the United States, get 50% off one National (competition team) team registration. Teams must be brand new to FIRST LEGO League Challenge. Find all the details here:

Class Pack Rookie Team Grant Application

National Team Registration Open For Cargo Connect

Who is ready for a new season of FIRST LEGO League Challenge? We are!

You can register here starting on May 20th, if you DO NOT already have a FIRST national account.

If you already have a national account, you can sign in here starting on May 20th.

New Cargo Connect Season Plan

Start here to take a look at what we have planned for the new season. And stay tuned for more details as the season progresses.

Is Your Team Aging Out?

If your team is planning to move up to FIRST Tech Challenge, please complete this form so we can get you linked to plenty of resources and opportunities.

Questions 📍

New! General fllchallenge@firstillinoisrobotics.org

What will your team be doing on August 17th?

Sincerely,

The FIRST Illinois Robotics Team