2015 Media Kit Sponsored By Theresa Willingham Eureka Factory 10/1/2015
About ROBOTICON Tampa Bay 2015! communities in the new millennium. ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is a K-12 FIRST Robotics Showcase and offseason event organized by the Eureka Factory, an organization dedicated to providing high quality educational and community event production services, program management, and media development to help creatively empower people and Now in its 3rd year, the mission of ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is to provide FIRST Robotics Teams with a high-quality, post-season competitive event that provides opportunities for pre-season skill building, networking, and college and career readiness experiences. ROBOTICON also provides a fun and unique way for the general public to enjoy this Sport for the Mind and see and enjoy the hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that FIRST offers. ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is produced by the Eureka Factory, with major funding support from Hillsborough County Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDI2), sponsors include Comcast NBCUniversal, Sensible Micro Corporation, Verizon, and Boca Bearing Company, and support from F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Sumo Software, Sonic Print, ir3 Creative, Mity Mo Creative, Studio 7, Robovision On Demand, and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Guests are invited to visit the Team Pits to see team members working on their robots, and have a chance to talk to students, visit the ROBOTICON Exhibit Hall to enjoy STEM demos, vendors and organizations, and learn more about technical, math and science career and college opportunities Admission is free to the public and events take place from 10am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. We hope you find the materials in this media kit useful and instructive. Here you ll be able to learn about FIRST K-12 programs, Eureka Factory, the potential impact of ROBOTICON Tampa Bay on youth and the community, and learn about interview and photography opportunities at ROBOTICON.
ROBOTICON at a Glance What is ROBOTICON Tampa Bay? ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is a FIRST Robotics Competition event and a FIRST Robotics Showcase organized by the Eureka Factory, an educational event and creative programming development company. ROBOTICON is a full scale off season FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) event, and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) practice event, combined with a career and college expo, workshops, industry exhibits and more. The mission of ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is to provide FIRST Robotics Teams with a high-quality, postseason competitive event that provides opportunities for pre-season skill building, networking, and college and career readiness experiences. ROBOTICON also provides a fun and unique way for the general public to enjoy this Sport for the Mind and see and enjoy the hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that FIRST offers. Where will ROBOTICON be held? ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is being hosted at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center at University of Tampa at 401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606 When? Saturday, October 10, 2015 10am to 5pm Sunday, October 11, 2015 10am to 5pm Who? FIRST Teams All FIRST teams, of all skill levels are welcome! FRC teams will enjoy a full day of competition, plus Skills Challenges, and Most Awesome Pit Contest. FTC and FLL teams will have scrimmage and Build It Day opportunities, and all teams can enjoy: Workshops and seminars on CAD, programming, team business planning, fundraising and development College & Career Expo, Industry exhibits & more! Teachers & Schools ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is a great opportunity to see FIRST K-12 STEM education in action and to learn best practices from other schools and educators. There will be teacher workshops on implementing FIRST programs in classroom and after school environments, and to speak to teachers and coaches from around the state. Everyone else Kids of all ages, families, youth groups, school groups, clubs, homeschool co-ops, tech organizations and anyone who loves robots, and would like to see what FIRST is all about, or just wants a fun day of robot competitions!
About Eureka! Factory The Eureka Factory specializes in educational and community event production services, program management, and media development to help creatively empower people and communities in the new millennium. An energetic and highly collaborative, creative partner for any community project, the Eureka Factory works with nonprofit organizations and institutions, and government agencies in the development of makerspaces, experiential and project based learning programs and more. Some of our past and current projects include: Makerspace Consultation and Development for Libraries & Schools Gulf Coast MakerCon RobotiCon Tampa Bay Visit EurekaFactory.org for more information.
About FIRST science, technology, engineering, and math, while gaining self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. FIRST K-12 STEM education programs use robot challenges to build science and technology skills FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, this notfor-profit public organization designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in FIRST in Florida FIRST in Florida website: FIRSTFL.org Orlando FRC Regional: OrlandoFRC.org South Florida Regional: FIRSTinFlorida.org Florida FIRST Tech Challenge: FTC/FLFIRST.org Florida FIRST LEGO League: SuncoastFLL.org Terri Willingham, Regional Director Central FL Twillingham@usfirst.org and interests, in a character driven program that also inspires self-confidence, leadership, and life skills. In Florida, FIRST serves over 10,000 students statewide, and about 3000 in Tampa Bay. With support from a comprehensive network of Fortune 500 corporations, educational and professional institutions, foundations, and individuals, FIRST provides more than $20 million in college scholarships. Programs include FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST LEGO League (FLL ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL ) for Grades K-3. In April, the four programs culminate in the FIRST Championship, an international robotics competition and celebration where teams win recognition, build on their self-confidence, make new friends, and perhaps discover exciting new career paths. FIRST at a Glance FIRST is an international program with growing impact: 400,000+ students 38,700+ teams 34,000+ robots 90,000+ Mentors/adult supporter roles filled 90,000+ other Volunteer roles filled (e.g. event Volunteers, Affiliate Partners, VISTAs) More than 3,500 Sponsors, including corporations, educational and professional institutions, and individuals Visit FIRST in Florida at FIRSTFL.org or US FIRST at USFIRST.org to learn more.
ROBOTICON and Economic Development ROBOTICON Tampa Bay directly impacts the growth and attraction of technology based businesses and startups through event participants, vendors, and business sponsors/mentors. The inaugural event in 2013, drew 800 students from over 40 FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics competition (FRC) teams from around the state, and about 500 visitors from around Tampa Bay over 1000 people over the course of the two day event! Alongside the robot development for the specific game of the event, participants also enjoyed classes and workshops on all aspects of the technology industry from programming to business development, connecting participants with industry leaders sharing their knowledge and expertise. Our 2 nd annual event in 2014 was equally successful and this year s event tops both, with over 50 teams participating. Through ROBOTICON, Existing teams find up new mentors. New students find placement on existing teams. Attending teams become prepared for the new season. New scholarship providers and team sponsors are identified. Over $50,000 is invested into the local economy as a result of the event each year, including hotel rooms, dining, and shopping, souvenirs, and event production. ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is leveraging the private sector and the vast resources Tampa/Hillsborough County already offer to create a unique event that maximizes all that this industry has to offer, bringing industry leading experts from local businesses, startup accelerators, and the educational system together to share their talents, collaborate on ideas, and plan for the future with those who will be driving the future, students. Proceeds after event production costs benefit the Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation s Orlando FRC Regional at University of Central Florida, and area FIRST teams.
ROBOTICON Special Guests Maestro Maines Studio Maestro Maines Studio is the only commercial music school in Florida, and possibly the nation where students in the community may participate in a steel drum ensemble. On Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1pm, the Show Steelers, Maestro Maines Studio s youth Steel Pan Band, will take the floor with a Tropical Star Wars performance, in thanks for FIRST Teams appearing at their summer camps to share their engineering projects, kicking off our FRC competition with some real STEAM! DJ Jake Dela Cruz 15 year old DJ Jake Dela Cruz joins us again at Roboticon 20154.. Jake started his DJ career when he was 10 and spun his first tunes for the FishHawk Hash House Harriers running club at a post-race party. Since then, Jake s been a regular at parties, community festivals and charity events, and the Worlds Largest Food Truck Rally in Tampa. We re delighted to welcome him back to ROBOTICON again this year.
ROBOTICON Sponsors & Partners
Event Schedule Saturday October 10 10am Doors Open to Public ROBOTICON Exhibit Hall Open 10 am -11:30 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Morning Scrimmages Exhibit Hall 10am - 4pm All Programs Workshops 11am - 4pm FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Practice Rounds 11:30am - noon Morning Closing Ceremony FLL 11:30 am Volunteer & Invited Guests Luncheon Noon to 12:45pm Teams Lunch Break 1pm 2:30pm FLL Afternoon Scrimmages 1pm to 4 pm FTC Scrimmage 1pm FIRST In the Classroom Educators Public Workshop 2pm How to Start a FIRST Team Public Workshop 230pm - 3pm Afternoon Closing Ceremony - FLL 4:30 pm FTC Roboticon Challenge Awards Sunday October 11 10am FRC Opening Ceremony 10:15am FRC Qualification Games Start 10:30am FIRST Teams Fundraiser Mall Open 11:30am Volunteer and Invited Guests Luncheon Noon to 12:45pm - Teams Lunch Break 1pm - Tropical Star Wars performance by Maestro Maines Steel Pan Band 1:15pm Qualification rounds resume 2pm Alliance Selection 2:30pm Elimination Matches Start 4:30pm Closing Ceremony FRC ROBOTICON Challenge Awards
Saturday Workshop Schedule* Classroom A 9:30am -FLL Volunteer Training Suncoast FLL 10:30 am FLL Coaches Q & A Suncoast FLL 12:30 pm FLL Volunteer Training Suncoast FLL 1:30 pm FLL Coaches Q & A Suncoast FLL 2:30 pm Community Asset Mapping Americorps VISTA, Rebecca Hannaford 3: 30 pm Advanced Rapid CAD Modeling Techniques for FRC Robots (Impress Your Future Boss!) - Dan Swando 4:30 pm Drive Train of Thought - Drive Train Transmission & Motor Selection Dan Swando Classroom B 10am Avoid the Shredder with Advanced Design Techniques Sumo Software 11am Life After FIRST VISTAS, Sr. Mentor & Alumni Opportunities 1pm -Educators Workshop Dru & Fred Urquhart, Spruce Creek High School 2pm - How to Start a Team workshop Terri Willingham, FIRST Regional Director Classroom C 10am - Florida FTC Judge Workshop Steve Willingham, FL FTC 1pm - FTC Awards and How to Win Them Steve Willingham, FL FTC 2pm FTC Programming - Chris Willingham, FTC Alumni 3pm FRC Judge Orientation Kathleen Harer, Orlando Regional Planning Committee Chair 3: 30pm Young Women of FIRST Networking Event FRC Field 10 am - What to Expect When You're Inspecting - Best Practices Dan Swando * Schedule subject to change although we'll try very hard not to!
Sunday FIRST Robotics Competition
Press Releases Student Robotics Competition at the University of Tampa Oct 10 & 11 Tampa: At ROBOTICON Tampa Bay 2015, nearly 1000 students from around Tampa Bay and Florida will descend on the Bob Martinez Athletics Center at the University of Tampa, Oct. 10 & 11 to learn while they compete with student built robots in an exciting Sport for the Mind. ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is free to the public and events take place from 10am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. FIRST K-12 programs are standards aligned and make available over $22 million in scholarships to participating high school students. The programs are inclusive, accessible and affordable, with significant grant funding available to new and existing teams. Compared to their matched peers, FIRST Alumni are: 50% more likely to attend college. 3x more likely to major in engineering. 9x more likely to have an internship in Freshman year. 4x more likely to pursue a career in Engineering. 2.5x more likely to volunteer in the community. With support from a Hillsborough County Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDI2) grant, ROBOTICON Tampa Bay provides FIRST students and guests a chance to enjoy a full scale FIRST Robotics Competition event, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST LEGO League scrimmages and practice games, a Jr. FIRST LEGO League display, and the opportunity for high school level teams to compete for ROBOTICON Challenge Awards, sponsored by Boca Bearing Company, and to enjoy a college and career fair, and more! Guests will be able to tour Team Pits to see team members working on their robots, and have a chance to talk to students, visit the Exhibit Hall to enjoy STEM demos, vendors and organizations, and learn more about technical, math and science career and college opportunities. There will be music by teenage DJ Jake Delacruz, and Maestro Maines Studio Tampa Bay Show Steelers, a Steel Drum Band featuring students from local elementary and high schools. On Sunday, a full scale FIRST competition will feature 120 lb. student built robots playing Recycle Rush, the 2015 season game, on a basketball court sized field. Organized by Eureka! Factory, a Tampa business specializing in educational and creative event and program development, ROBOTICON partners and sponsors, in addition to Hillsborough County and Verizon, event sponsors and partners include Comcast NBCUniversal, Sensible Micro Corp.,Verizon, USF Connect, Boca Bearing Company, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Sumo Software, Sonic Print, ir3 Creative, Suncoast FLL, Tampa Bay ROBOT League and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
Interview & Photography Opportunities The Pits This is the area where teams are working on their robots, planning their game strategy, practicing. Please get permission from coaches/mentors/parents before photographing students, and we request that you do not identify youth under the age of 13 without permission. The Field Sunday between 10am and 4pm will feature some of the best action photography opportunities, with the big FIRST Robotics Competition robots playing Aerial Assist, similar to a robot game of volley ball, on the main basketball court. Saturday will present great opportunities for photographing elementary, middle and high school students involved in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) game play. FLL involves robots made out of LEGOs, and FTC robots are larger, made of a robust Erector set type material. Students Youth FIRST ambassadors in K-12, and FIRST Alumni who will be volunteering at the event are available for interview. Sponsors and Supporters Corporate and organizational representatives from Bright House Networks, Florida High Tech Corridor, Technova, Kennedy Space Center, Hillsborough County government and more can be made available. Advance notice will help ensure interviews, so please let us know if there is someone in particular you d like to speak with. The VIP Luncheon starting at 11:30am will also provide ample opportunity to connect with the local business community that is involved in making ROBOTICON possible. The Robots There will be robots everywhere! Best shots will be on the field on Sunday, or in the pits Saturday or Sunday.
Contact Us Please contact Theresa (Terri) Willingham for any media related questions or needs. Email: TWillingham@usfirst.org Phone: 813-792-7411 cell- 813-728-2822 Find ROBOTICON Online ROBOTICON.Net Facebook.com/RoboticonTampaBay Twitter.com/RobotiConTampa