This document provides information about volunteering opportunities for various FIRST robotics programs in Northern California, including JrFLL, FLL, FTC, and FRC. It introduces the founder of Playing At Learning and his involvement in youth robotics. It also summarizes each program, when the seasons occur, and how to get involved through team mentoring or event volunteering. Contact information is provided at the end.

1. NorCal FIRST Volunteering
FRC, FTC, FLL and JrFLL in Northern
California

2. Intoduction
• Mark Edelman
– Co-Founder of Playing At Learning
– Northern California for JrFLL, FLL, and FTC for
Northern CA
– Mentor for FRC Team 2489
– Active in youth robotics for 11+ years

3. What is FIRST?
• For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology
• Nonprofit founded by Dean Kamen
• Foster interests in science, technology,
engineering education and career paths
• Celebrate engineering and science

4. Jr. FIRST LEGEO League
• Ages 6-9
• Expo (like science fair)
• Themed
construction
• Rolling season

5. FIRST LEGO League
• Elementary/Middle School Robotics
Competition
• Tabletop, autonomous
robotics
• 30+ events in Nov
– 11/16, 11/17
– 11/23, 11/24

6. FIRST Tech Challenge
•
•
•
•
High School Robotics Competition
Kicks off in early September
Multiple events throughout Fall
Championship in
late Feb
• Super-Regional in
March

7. FIRST Robotics Competition
•
•
•
•
High School Competition
Kicks off in early January
6 wks to design/build/program/test
Competitions in March
– Sacramento (UC Davis)
• 3/13-3/15
– Silicon Valley (SJSU)
• 3/20-3/22

8. Getting Involved
• Team Mentoring
• Event Volunteering
• Workshops

9. Team Mentoring
• Opportunities Vary
– By program
– By your availability
• Many teams meet afterschool
• Some meet weekends too
• Contact us for info on possible connections!

10. Event Volunteering
• FRC
– 3 day robotics competition (Thurs-Sat)
– Volunteer via www.usfirst.org/vims
• FTC
• 1 day events – (Saturday or Sunday)
– www.norcalftc.org/volunteer.html
• FLL
• 1 day events – (Saturday or Sunday)
– www.norcalfll.org/volunteer.html

11. Event Volunteering
• FTC Super-Regional
– Northern California Hosting Inaugural FTC Super-Regional
Event
– Teams from 13 states
– 2 ½ day event
– Sacramento Area

12. Contact Info
• Web
– www.playingatlearning.org
– www.usfirst.org
• Email
– marke@playingatlearning.org
– volunteer@playingatlearning.org
• phone
– 510-656-8664