FIRST Robotics Competition Blog

2021 FIRST Championship

By now, many of you have probably seen the news about the 2021 FIRST Championship being canceled. I think this a great example of a decision that feels awful but is at the same time the right thing to do. For what it’s worth, the FIRST staff is feeling many of the same emotions we are seeing expressed by team members. We’re going to miss the special excitement only a FIRST Championship can bring, and we’re going to miss our FIRST friends that we may only get to see that one special time of the year. Still, I think this is the right decision, we are looking forward to some kind of exciting season-end celebration later this year, and we can’t wait to get back to in-person events soon!

Important Reminder for Dean’s List Nominees

Have you, or students on your team, been submitted for the Dean’s List Award this year? If so, it’s very important that every nominee signs a FIRST Consent and Release form by the end of March to be eligible for selection as a Dean’s List Award Finalist or Winner. Because FIRST must be very careful with peoples’ private information, regardless of how deserving a nominee may be, their nomination will be discarded if the form is not signed – and we SOOOO DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO DO THAT!

Right now, we have many nominees who have not taken that important step, and we are reaching out directly as best we can. Please help us though - if you or someone you know falls into this category, please make sure you/they know to do this crucial step.

To sign the FIRST Consent & Release Form, students (and parents/legal guardians for those under 18 years of age) must create an account and sign the form following the instructions here.

In addition, to receive public recognition as a Dean’s List Semi-finalist or Finalist, a student (or parent/legal guardian for those under 18 years of age) must sign the Dean’s List Announcement Consent and Release form. Unlike the FIRST Consent & Release Form, selection and advancement will not be affected if the student chooses not to sign the Dean’s List Announcement Consent Form.  This form can be found in your dashboard: 

For students 18 years and older:

• Login to the www.firstinspires.org dashboard
• At the top righthand corner, click the down arrow next to the account holder’s name
• Select “Acknowledgement Forms” and locate the “Dean’s List Award Consent and Release” form
• Click the blue “Accept” box if you consent to FIRST and FIRST Program Delivery Partners to announce and publish your first and last name and team number.

For parents:

• The parent or legal guardian must login to the www.firstinspires.org dashboard
• Click the Parent/Guardian – Youth tab
• Click the Youth Options drop-down next to the student’s name and select “Youth’s Consent & Release”
• Click anywhere on the “Dean’s List Award Consent & Release Form” title to expand it
• Click the blue “Accept” box if you consent to FIRST and FIRST Program Delivery Partners to announce and publish your child’s first and last name and team number.

If you do not have internet access, please ask someone with internet access and access to a printer to email deanslist@firstinspires.org to receive printable forms and instructions on how to submit them.

Please help us help you have the best possible Dean’s List experience!

Frank