COVID-19 Updates

FIRST in Michigan (FiM) is anticipating that we will be able to deliver our 2021-2022 season events in the traditional (physical) format.

If a FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST LEGO League-Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League-Explore team can only operate in the remote event format, FiM will organize remote events in support of those teams. The timeline for remote events will likely be after the fall season calendar of events concludes.

To stay abreast of the latest information, be sure to read all team eblast communications sent by the FIRST in Michigan program delivery partners.

Our FIRST in Michigan teams have multiple ways to stay engaged this season despite COVID-19 restrictions and constraints. We are committed to holding the ship steady and moving it forward as we learn to safely navigate these uncharted waters together.

2020-21 FIRST in Michigan Season Engagement Plans (click link)

Teams are able to choose the engagement option(s) that work best for them. The FIRST in Michigan sanctioned engagement options “check the box” on the competition requirement of grants like the 99h MDE State Grant as well as sponsor specific grants.

Visit our FIRST in Michigan Progression of Programs Overview for an at-a-glance look across all program offerings from preschool through high school. Now, more than ever, we need to continue to cultivate and grow the next generation of innovators and leaders in our state.

All FIRST programs are a “GO” this season. FIRST in Michigan is committed to keeping our 32,000 students on nearly 3,000 teams engaged in our PreK- 12 programs. With the support of our sponsors and teams, we’ve collectively been able to put FIRST within reach of every school and district, whether big, small, urban, rural, or suburban. Students in just about every county are being prepared to pursue careers in STEM, whether college-bound or in skilled trades.

This season, we are reinventing how to play together so that no team sits the season out. Schools taking even a single gap year can break the momentum that we’ve all worked so effectively to build.

It’s more important than ever to deliver the life-changing experiences of FIRST to students in our state. As an organization that teaches young people how to solve problems and innovate, we are committed to adapting to these circumstances and enabling our community to stay engaged with FIRST programs in the challenging year ahead.

ADAPTING OUR COMPETITIONS

• The length of the season has been extended for each program to allow teams to meet in small subgroups and/or on alternating days. Dates for States and Worlds have been adjusted to accommodate the extended season.
• Events will be smaller with fewer teams in attendance at one time, or teams playing remotely from home/school/HUBs.
• All Judging will be virtual using online video conferencing platforms like Zoom.
• Establishing local HUBs around the state where small groups/single teams can access a competition field to play official matches.
  • Social distancing, gathering size adherence, PPE usage, and strict sanitization will be mandated.
  • Team travel and event time commitment will be minimized while preserving the essence of the FIRST experience.

MODIFIED EVENT STRUCTURE
Traditional multi-team events that are smaller:

• Our events have been scaled way down, both in number of teams/people allowed to attend, and duration.
• Webcasting will keep in-person head count to a minimum.
• Event duration reduced to eliminate the need for overnight stays.

Remote competition format introduced:

• FLL and FTC will use the new FIRST Remote Event competition format for events. Teams will videotape or record match scores from home/school/hub and will participate in virtual judging sessions.
• For high school teams that cannot even build a robot, FIRST is creating purely remote competition alternatives that continue to meet FIRST’s mission. Specifics will be announced at kickoff in January.

BONUS: All teams have access to FIRST at Home which is an online list of STEM resources for teams to use free of charge. The list has been available since quarantine began in the spring and is constantly being updated.

CELEBRATING FIRST TEAMS IN THE NEWS

• FIRST in Michigan launched the 1 Million PPE Challenge last March. Teams from across the state collaborated to make and donate over 140,000 items of PPE items to hospitals and first responders:
  Carolyn Clifford WXYZ PPE Challenge 5-5-2020.mov (link)
• A Forbes article featured several FIRST students and their contributions during the pandemic: https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannegarrett/2020/05/08/8-under-18-the-young-trailblazers-stepping-up-during-the-pandemic/amp/?__twitter_impression=true.

With the closure of school facilities in Michigan for the remainder of the school year and in compliance with public health recommendations and regulations due to the current and ongoing threat of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our state, FIRST in Michigan has decided that the spring FIRST in Michigan FLLJr, FLL, and FTC Spring Events will be canceled until further notice.

Due to the current and potential threat of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our state and in accordance with public health recommendations, FIRST in Michigan has decided that, effective immediately, the upcoming FIRST in Michigan FRC District Events in our state will be postponed until further notice.

At this time, FLLJr/FLL/FTC spring season events that are scheduled to occur in May will be held as planned.

This message does not speak to the FIRST Championship Events in Houston and Detroit which are hosted by FIRST HQ. Currently, both FIRST Championships in Houston and Detroit remain unchanged in scope and schedule. Due to the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19, FIRST will refund the 2020 FIRST Championship registration fee in the event that FIRST Championship is canceled by FIRST HQ.

We recognize that teams have put an enormous amount of work into preparing for the season and we regret having to share such disappointing news. At the same time, we feel strongly that this action is necessary given that COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Michigan and the Governor has declared a State of Emergency.

Please know this decision was not made lightly. It was made in consultation with FIRST, our University partners, and our sponsors, many of whom are represented on the FIRST in Michigan Board of Directors. Our primary concern is always the health and safety of our participants and our volunteers.

We will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC, the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and local health departments as we monitor and assess the situation over the coming weeks to develop a plan to resume our FRC season and its events.