Good Morning Teams,
I’m back from Midwest Regional (thanks everyone) and have a few moments in the office before I need to pack up and head out for week five. One of the many things I’ll be looking at this week (when I can fit it in) are the results from the week three surveys. Your answers on the weekly team on-line surveys provide me with feedback on how well each event went and on how the season is progressing as a whole. I’m also surveying event managers and key volunteers each week to collect another perspective on how things are going. It makes for some very interesting reading. I appreciate everyone’s input and already have a few ideas of improvements we can work on during the off-season. After Championship I’ll survey teams for input on the season as a whole and on the future of FRC. I look forward to your answers.
Talking about Championship, I’ll be hosting FRC Live again this year. I learned from last year’s surveys that teams who weren’t able to attend CMP felt left out of the FRC Live discussion, so I have a staff member working on an affordable way to film and post this year’s shows. What I want to know from you is: What topics do you want me to address during FRC Live? Send your suggestions to FRCTeams@usfirst.org
My thanks to the two people at Midwest who noticed the misspelling on my name tag. It has been fixed.
29 Days until Championship
See you then!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Where do the days go?
Good Morning Teams,
Another successful but busy week spent monitoring 14 FRC Regional and District Events has flown by. Some students asked me this weekend, “What’s it like to work at FIRST?” I think they thought I get to build robots all day long, because they seemed surprised by my answer. My schedule during the competition season is basically; fly to an event, get up early, spend the day making speeches, meeting with local volunteers and visiting teams while checking on the progress of all the other events and fielding phone calls from event managers, key volunteers and staff who need my input as they troubleshoot events. I get back to my hotel room late, clean out my email in box, go to bed, get up early and repeat until it’s time to fly home. Mondays I meet with the Game Design Committee where we discuss the previous week’s events, tweak anything that needs tweaking, and prepare for the next week. (Which reminds me, watch for Team Update #19 coming soon.) Tuesdays I catch up on what’s happening back at the office as staff prepare for upcoming events and championship, then do a load of laundry, and re-pack my suitcase in preparation for flying to the next event.
I know I was in Bayou last week because it was warm outdoors, I had gumbo and I remember marching in the opening parade holding an umbrella and tossing miniature stuffed alligators to the teams. My thanks to all the volunteers who were so helpful last weekend and my apologies to any of you who wanted to talk to me but couldn’t because I had a cellphone stuck to my ear. My primary goal is to ensure all events are running smoothly, which unfortunately means I’m not always free to talk.
Checking my calendar, I see I’m headed to Midwest Regional this week. Maybe I’ll see you there. If not, best of luck in week 4 everyone!
36 Days until Championship
See you then!
Another successful but busy week spent monitoring 14 FRC Regional and District Events has flown by. Some students asked me this weekend, “What’s it like to work at FIRST?” I think they thought I get to build robots all day long, because they seemed surprised by my answer. My schedule during the competition season is basically; fly to an event, get up early, spend the day making speeches, meeting with local volunteers and visiting teams while checking on the progress of all the other events and fielding phone calls from event managers, key volunteers and staff who need my input as they troubleshoot events. I get back to my hotel room late, clean out my email in box, go to bed, get up early and repeat until it’s time to fly home. Mondays I meet with the Game Design Committee where we discuss the previous week’s events, tweak anything that needs tweaking, and prepare for the next week. (Which reminds me, watch for Team Update #19 coming soon.) Tuesdays I catch up on what’s happening back at the office as staff prepare for upcoming events and championship, then do a load of laundry, and re-pack my suitcase in preparation for flying to the next event.
I know I was in Bayou last week because it was warm outdoors, I had gumbo and I remember marching in the opening parade holding an umbrella and tossing miniature stuffed alligators to the teams. My thanks to all the volunteers who were so helpful last weekend and my apologies to any of you who wanted to talk to me but couldn’t because I had a cellphone stuck to my ear. My primary goal is to ensure all events are running smoothly, which unfortunately means I’m not always free to talk.
Checking my calendar, I see I’m headed to Midwest Regional this week. Maybe I’ll see you there. If not, best of luck in week 4 everyone!
36 Days until Championship
See you then!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Week two is now a happy memory
Good Afternoon Teams,
I enjoyed my visit to Duluth where FRC held the first ever Superior Lake Regional. My thanks to everyone who made the event a success and my gratitude to the volunteers with prior experience who traveled long distances to help out and show everyone the ropes. I’m keeping an eye on the Israel Regional which is happening right now and I’m already packed for my visit to Bayou Regional this weekend. Week Three is our most challenging week with 14 events. I appreciate everyone’s help at events during the first two weeks, as your input and assistance go a long way toward making the really busy weeks go more smoothly.
I know there was a miss-communication in Milwaukee last weekend and want everyone to know that FRC encourages the use of safe bench top tools that can be carried in by one person. (See the 2011 FRC Administrative Manual section 4.9.8.) If you encounter a miss-communication at any FRC events in the future, please turn to the 2011 Manual first, then with rule in hand, discuss the problem with the event volunteer. If you cannot come to an agreement, go to the Event Manager or FTA both of whom can contact FIRST HQ if they can’t resolve the issue themselves.
Now that just over 25% of all FRC teams have been to a competition, we’re starting to see a lot of variation in robots. I’ve seen everything from plywood parts to sophisticated machined pieces. As you compete this season, remember FRC is about the experience of problem-solving and working together as a team. Be gracious to everyone, please! Each and every team brings something to the table and has something to contribute to the discussion. Winning feels good for a little while; but what you learn in this 20th FRC season will last a lifetime.
My thanks to all the teams who competed during week one and who completed the week one survey. I’ve already started to look at your responses. If your team competed during week two, ask your team main contact to check their inbox for the link to the week two surveys that was sent out yesterday. I encourage all teams to complete the survey for each event they attend during 2011. Your answers will help us plan 2012.
The Public agenda for CMP is now available on our website There may be changes, so check back for updates.
And the Post Season Awards order form is now on line as well. If your team receives a trophy during the 2011 season and you would like additional trophies to share with a sponsor or with school district, order early. Quantities of some items are limited.
43 Days until Championship
See you then!
I enjoyed my visit to Duluth where FRC held the first ever Superior Lake Regional. My thanks to everyone who made the event a success and my gratitude to the volunteers with prior experience who traveled long distances to help out and show everyone the ropes. I’m keeping an eye on the Israel Regional which is happening right now and I’m already packed for my visit to Bayou Regional this weekend. Week Three is our most challenging week with 14 events. I appreciate everyone’s help at events during the first two weeks, as your input and assistance go a long way toward making the really busy weeks go more smoothly.
I know there was a miss-communication in Milwaukee last weekend and want everyone to know that FRC encourages the use of safe bench top tools that can be carried in by one person. (See the 2011 FRC Administrative Manual section 4.9.8.) If you encounter a miss-communication at any FRC events in the future, please turn to the 2011 Manual first, then with rule in hand, discuss the problem with the event volunteer. If you cannot come to an agreement, go to the Event Manager or FTA both of whom can contact FIRST HQ if they can’t resolve the issue themselves.
Now that just over 25% of all FRC teams have been to a competition, we’re starting to see a lot of variation in robots. I’ve seen everything from plywood parts to sophisticated machined pieces. As you compete this season, remember FRC is about the experience of problem-solving and working together as a team. Be gracious to everyone, please! Each and every team brings something to the table and has something to contribute to the discussion. Winning feels good for a little while; but what you learn in this 20th FRC season will last a lifetime.
My thanks to all the teams who competed during week one and who completed the week one survey. I’ve already started to look at your responses. If your team competed during week two, ask your team main contact to check their inbox for the link to the week two surveys that was sent out yesterday. I encourage all teams to complete the survey for each event they attend during 2011. Your answers will help us plan 2012.
The Public agenda for CMP is now available on our website There may be changes, so check back for updates.
And the Post Season Awards order form is now on line as well. If your team receives a trophy during the 2011 season and you would like additional trophies to share with a sponsor or with school district, order early. Quantities of some items are limited.
43 Days until Championship
See you then!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Well that’s a relief
Good Afternoon Teams,
The results are in; week one competitions were a success. I was in Alamo where team 148 Robowranglers scored not once, but twice in a single autonomous period. At BAE/Granite State Regional, mini-bots climbed all four poles in a final match. I can’t wait to see what teams achieve in week two. While you’re getting ready for your next competition, I have a few updates.
Things all FRC teams should know:
Things Bag & Tag teams might want to know:
At Finger Lakes the first day of practice was delayed by a limitation in the robot radio when in the presence of a large number of wireless networks. We were able to determine what the issue was and the college was good about shutting part of their system down during our event (then letting us stay late to make up for lost time). This week we’re working with our wireless consultant to determine if this will be an issue in other locations and at future events.
While I was in San Antonio, I had the chance to visit Bill Miller Bar-B-Q (yes, it’s a real restaurant). I had dinner with teams 2745 METRoboticS and 3478 Campus San Luis and thoroughly enjoyed both their company and the food.
Can’t get enough LOGO MOTION? Lockheed has released the 2011 version of 5thGear. It can be downloaded here.
If you’re interested in participating in the final flight of shuttle Atlantis, check out the Student Spaceflight Experiments program. Deadline March 15.
50 Days until Championship
See you then!
The results are in; week one competitions were a success. I was in Alamo where team 148 Robowranglers scored not once, but twice in a single autonomous period. At BAE/Granite State Regional, mini-bots climbed all four poles in a final match. I can’t wait to see what teams achieve in week two. While you’re getting ready for your next competition, I have a few updates.
Things all FRC teams should know:
- Safety is first and foremost at an event. Wear your safety glasses, use safe lifting practices and pay attention. An injury can ruin your day.
- Team update #17 is due out today. It will contain updates and information specific to what we learned at week one events.
- This year NASA is offering teams that win the Engineering Inspiration Award at 2011 Regional (and state CMP) events held in the USA up to $3,000 towards the registration fee for the 2011Championship. Contact your Regional Director for more details.
- If you survived your rookie year, you already know enough to lend a rookie team a hand. At your next event, pass on the GP and see what you can do to help a rookie team pass inspection and prepare for competition.
Things Bag & Tag teams might want to know:
- If the agenda indicates a Bag and Tag Load-in time ‘for Drop Off only’, you may bring in your robot and equipment, but that’s it. You can’t open the robot bag. You can’t plug in your batteries. You can’t work on your robot.
- If the agenda states ‘Pits Open’ that is the signal that teams may unpack equipment, plug in batteries and begin pit set up.
- You have to have your Robot Lock-Up form signed by an inspector before you can unbag your robot and begin work.
At Finger Lakes the first day of practice was delayed by a limitation in the robot radio when in the presence of a large number of wireless networks. We were able to determine what the issue was and the college was good about shutting part of their system down during our event (then letting us stay late to make up for lost time). This week we’re working with our wireless consultant to determine if this will be an issue in other locations and at future events.
While I was in San Antonio, I had the chance to visit Bill Miller Bar-B-Q (yes, it’s a real restaurant). I had dinner with teams 2745 METRoboticS and 3478 Campus San Luis and thoroughly enjoyed both their company and the food.
Can’t get enough LOGO MOTION? Lockheed has released the 2011 version of 5thGear. It can be downloaded here.
If you’re interested in participating in the final flight of shuttle Atlantis, check out the Student Spaceflight Experiments program. Deadline March 15.
50 Days until Championship
See you then!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Are you ready for competition?
Good Afternoon Teams,
Tonight fields are being unpacked and set up at all 4 week one regional events. (District Events set up Thursday.) The moment of truth has arrived. FRC staff and volunteers worked hard to prepare for the 2011 season. Beta teams tested the control system, staff tested the field management system, and many of you helped test the fields at week zero events. We’ve scheduled multiple FTAs for each event this weekend and we have staff and volunteers ready to lend a hand. The game can’t be totally debugged beforehand (who knows what ideas some of you have for solutions to the challenge), but we’re doing everything we can to make week one events the best ever.
As you pack for your first event, please remember to bring:
While you are waiting for your next event:
See you then!
Tonight fields are being unpacked and set up at all 4 week one regional events. (District Events set up Thursday.) The moment of truth has arrived. FRC staff and volunteers worked hard to prepare for the 2011 season. Beta teams tested the control system, staff tested the field management system, and many of you helped test the fields at week zero events. We’ve scheduled multiple FTAs for each event this weekend and we have staff and volunteers ready to lend a hand. The game can’t be totally debugged beforehand (who knows what ideas some of you have for solutions to the challenge), but we’re doing everything we can to make week one events the best ever.
As you pack for your first event, please remember to bring:
- A printout of your team roster in TIMS and paper copies of Consent and Release forms for any team members who did not complete the Consent and Release form on line. You will need these at registration in the Pit.
- Safety glasses for everyone traveling with you to the event (plus spares). You don’t want to leave someone stuck on the outside. Everyone needs safety glasses to enter the pits.
- Everything you withheld when you shipped/locked up your robot. (Especially your batteries and battery chargers.)
- Your robot lock-up form and spare tags if you are attending a bag and tag event. You must show the form before you may open your bag and you’ll need the tags to close your bag before you leave.
- Please fix sharp edges on your robot before you get to the robot inspection station – we need your help to save our game pieces.
- New this year (because every pair of safety glasses that doesn’t get returned increases costs) mentors have to sign for any safety glasses borrowed by teams or team members at FRC events.
While you are waiting for your next event:
- Check out the FIRST teams on the Connect a Million Minds Fulfillment Wall and join them if you like.
- Learn more about The New Cool and Neal Bascomb. He’s speaking tonight at the Wilson Center. If you miss the live webcast, you can catch the podcast.
- Search for aps developed by FRC teams for your phone. I’m impressed by what’s out there.
- Visit the new FIRST facebook page
See you then!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
