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When I was a kid, we lived on a road that led from the highway to the fairgrounds, so the last week in August we haunted the front porch waiting to see the onslaught of vendor and ride trucks hurry past. At the fairgrounds, we would stand out of the way and watch empty fields turn into a magical world of tents, booths, animal stalls, and of course, rides! Then for five days the field became its own world, bustling with lights, noise, and energy that we lived within during the day and could see and hear from our bedroom window each night. And then, on Tuesday morning, they were all gone, having packed up and crept away in the middle of the night to head off to other fairs and events. The absence of that temporary world was always palpable for a few days as we re-emerged from its magic into the real world and preparations for the first day of school. If you have ever attended a FIRST Tech Challenge event, then you have also experienced a magical world called the FTC Pits. Physically, ...

Whenever you engage in a brand new activity, there is what is called a �learning curve:� that period of time when you need to figure out how the new thing works, learn the skills, and practice before you can achieve success. Sometimes this takes a few minutes, sometimes days, and sometimes much longer. FTC Team  #2843 wrote the TETRIX Build Guide for their "PB" PushBot. Folks who do not know FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge have to work through this learning curve. And the curve gets bigger the less technical you are. It�s a lot like learning a new language or culture: �What do all the acronyms mean?� �How does the Game work?� �Who can answer my questions?� �How do the robots get built?� �What�s that part on the robot called?� And so on. For new folks, it can be intimidating and frustrating. For Rookie FTC teams, the learning curve is even steeper. They have to work through all of the same stuff as any newcomer, but also have to learn how create a team, build a budget, and f...

The FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manual comes in two parts. Part I includes tournament information, awards, and robot rules. Part II covers the game and game rules. Part I for the 2014-2015 season is now available. All Teams should review the manual carefully to ensure a successful season. Any questions that might arise should be posted on the FIRST Tech Challenge forum . This year's Manual looks much like last years, but teams should do a thorough review of allowed parts, which change from year to year. In addition, there are two significant changes in this year's manual: The Control Award is now an official award and part of tournament advancement criteria The Advancement Criteria has been modified With less than two months to Kick-Off, we hope the Game Manual Part I has fueled your enthusiasm for the season ahead. Good luck Teams!