New FTC hardware has arrived! Kickoff on 9/12 at Temple Univ.

Hope everyone had a great summer...

The new FTC hardware has arrived for both teams, 5321 and 9570.  Mr. Koehler will be in school on 9/3 and 9/4, let me know if you would like to assist with the computer lab setup and/or configure and experiment with the new FTC Android smartphone replacing the LEGO brick.

Watch this first...

https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cksv26q1q9m693ajrpgve47ij5s

Also register for free FTC online training, this is required for any potential team member: http://first.intelitek.com/

The 2015-16 FTC Kickoff event is confirmed for Sat. Sept. 12 from 10:45 to 2:00PM at Temple University - College of Engineering Building at 12th & Norris St.

See more below...

___________________________________________________

Hi to our FTC Teams in Pennsylvania,

This is one of a continuing series of 2015-2016 season email blasts that you will receive specific to the Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge program. We will be sending out these mails on a regular basis that essentially augment the email blasts that you already receive directly from FIRST.

FTC registration for all FTC teams in the World opened on May 13, 2015. We currently have 54 registered teams, with 20 of them Rookies! Welcome to our new teams. With schools coming back in session we expect many more teams to join back in the fun.

As written in the last email, we are very excited this season as FTC has introduced, and we are implementing, an all new control system and platform based on Android technology and Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors. As such, we are planning more workshops and scrimmages in the state than ever to so that teams may gather and work together to master this new technology as well s build and drive their robot creations. If you are a team that has the resources and would like to host a workshop please let us know. Just write to us at ftc@pennfirst.org.

FTC New Tech Overview

FTC Engineer, Thomas Eng will be hosting a Google Hangout next Tuesday, Sept 9th going over all of the FTCNew Tech kit components. This will be a high level overview for all of our teams interested in learning a little more about the FTC New Tech! Tune in at 5pm EST to learn more!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cksv26q1q9m693ajrpgve47ij5s

Live Kick-Off events:

We have scheduled 4 simultaneous live and webcast Kick-Off events around the state on Saturday the 12^th. We would love for our teams to come, engage with other teams in the community and get to see, touch and feel the new game challenge. At each event we will also have an official FTC Referee there to explain the game rules and answers questions. Registration is open for these free kick-off events to be held from 10:45 to 2:00PM at each of the following locations:

Philadelphia – Temple University - College of Engineering Building

East – Technical College High School Brandywine Campus, Downingtown, PA

Central – Millersville University Osburn Hall, Millersville, PA

West -  Carnegie Mellon / National Robotics Engineering Center, Pittsburg, PA

You may find the exact location for these events with agenda at:

http://www.ftcpenn.org/ftc-events/2015-2016-season/pennsylvania-ftc-season-kick-off

And register your team to attend using the on-line registration form at:

http://www.ftcpenn.org/event-registration

For or developing season schedule visit our website Event page at:

 http://www.ftcpenn.org/ftc-events/2015-2016-season

As usual, there is a lot of information already provided and accessible to teams regarding the new platform, available grants as well as general guidance to FTC program enhancements this season. These have been provided through the aforementioned emails blasts from FIRST. They are all accessible for review through the following link. There have been 8 informative Email Blasts since June. If you have not received or read these, please be sure to do so:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/emailblastarchive.aspx

Another great and necessary link that teams should access is the Team Resources page on the FIRST website. This has been highly augmented with incredible resources to get both veteran and new teams rolling with Android and Inteletik training resources, push-bot build instructions, Notebook guides and much more.  Please visit this page, pick your needs and visit often.

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/team-resources

We look forward to meeting you all during the season, and hopefully at one of our kick-off events. Please always feel free to contact us any time with questions or request at ftc@pennfirst.org. We love hearing from our teams.

Warmest Regards,

Tom Zawislak and Dave Hackett

Pennsylvania FIRST® Robotics FTC®Affiliate Partner

ph: (302) 383-9925

email: ftc@pennfirst.org

Website: www.FTCPenn.org

Message to PA FTC teams, Kickoff & Game Reveal 9/12/15

To Pennsylvania FTC teams,

We are currently working on our detailed event schedule for this season as we secure dates and venues. We will be adding more workshops, especially to assist teams with implementing the new platform (this summer), practices, scrimmages and expanded qualifiers. The new game Kick-off/Game Reveal is scheduled for September 12^th, 2015. In general, the months of September through November will be dedicated to workshops, practices and scrimmages. This is intended to allow teams more time to prepare and accommodate the learning curve for the new control system. The official PA Competition season will commence in December and end in February culminating in the State Championship.  As always, and throughout the season, please refer to our comprehensive FTC PA website for schedule details as well as event registration policies and sign-ups. Our event registration page will open shortly.

 http://www.ftcpenn.org/home

We look forward to an amazing and fun season and hope to have you all join in. Please always feel free to contact us any time with questions or request at ftc@pennfirst.org. We love hearing from our teams.

Warmest Regards,

Tom Zawislak and Dave Hackett

Pennsylvania FIRST® Robotics

FTC®Affiliate Partner

ph: (302) 383-9925

email: ftc@pennfirst.org

Website: www.FTCPenn.org

FTC Hardware Training - New!

Access FTC training on the new hardware by following this link and click 'login as guest user' then accept the conditions:
http://ftc.edu.intelitek.com/course/view.php?id=4

Allowable Android Hardware for FTC robot controller:
http://ftc.edu.intelitek.com/pluginfile.php/118/mod_resource/content/1/FTC%20Android%20Specs%202015-16%20Season%20v5%204-30-15.pdf

New FTC Technology to be ordered this week

check it out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DieVdCv7UU 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omOF2WvI8M

and
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZiDPa8Rjk 

FTC joysticks missing?!?

While taking inventory for next year, all dark blue FTC LogicTech joysticks for both teams have not been accounted for!  Please let Mr. Koehler know if you remember anything regarding these joysticks since the end of the FTC season at Central HS in February.  Each joystick is about $30 each, if they aren't found, Mr. Koehler will file a theft report.

GearGirls receive FTC grant!

Congratulations to FTC Team 9570 GearGirls who received a $275 grant today from US First Robotics for the 2015-16 FTC competition!
US First's grant is intended to ease the technology transition from 'LEGO Mindstorms/RobotC' to 'Android Smartphone/Java'. See http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/grow

Videos on the FTC tech transition:
https://youtu.be/mxJ8-KZJW5w
https://youtu.be/BuZiDPa8Rjk

FTC Transistion Grant Applications Submitted

Great news! Principal Domers told us he expects to support Robotics next year at the same level as this year(3 hours a week).
Mr. Koehler submitted grants requests today for $275 for each FTC team (5321 and 9570) as part of US First's effort to ease the technology transition from 'LEGO Mindstorms/RobotC' to 'Android Smartphone/Java'. See http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/grow

Videos on the FTC tech transition:
https://youtu.be/mxJ8-KZJW5w
https://youtu.be/BuZiDPa8Rjk

Robotics students and parents featured in article on First Tech Challenge!

The GearGirls team member Alexsis Davis and her father, who thankfully helped chaperoned our students, were featured in a recent article at the FTC Regional finals 2/7/15:
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/items/item/78467-robotics-championship?l=me

Rookie GearGirls FTC team members:Alexsis Davis, Venise Martinez and Keisha Smith are pictured:

First Tech Challenge(FTC) Training

Do you want to learn more about how to program in RobotC than what our Resource page has to offer?

ROBOTC expert, Tim Friez will be presenting and taking your questions on Wednesday, October 15 at 7pm, ET! Check out his presentation here on October 15,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxBGg7MSPpE

Don't miss FRC Team #3824 and Scott Turner from 3D Systems presenting on 3D printing for FIRST Teams! Tune in at 7pm ET on Wednesday, October 22.

Learn more about "Ask an Expert" Training on our website, http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/askanexpert

FTC Team 5321 student registration

See Kai or Mr. Koehler at Robotics Club today to register online for the FTC Team 5321 or to be considered for a junior position.  Another second rookie FTC team looks likely soon! Stay in the loop...

FTC Meet checklist requirements

FTC Team - make sure you are familiar with the checklist required for next week.  I will take care of the team roster, the rest is your job.  Let me know if you have questions. Must read:
https://sites.google.com/site/pennsylvaniafirsttechchallenge/ftc-events/tournament-meet-checklist

Phila. FTC Meets next week begin to qualify for State Comp.- Updated info

If on the FTC team, make sure you have submitted your information to register yourself as part of the FTC team, see Jaime or Kai! https://my.usfirst.org/stims/site.lasso

Below is the current Phila regional FTC competition schedule and list of all teams registered per meet, these can qualify us to go to the state competition.  We should try to attend all four meet events, they start Wed. Nov 20 and Thu. Nov. 21 at 3pm at Temple Univ. Engineering Building at 12th & Norris St., see
https://sites.google.com/site/pennsylvaniafirsttechchallenge/ftc-events/2013-2014-season/philadelphia-meets-1-4

First Tech Challenge News, Grant available: Have any club members done First Lego League(FLL)?

Must read for FTC team members below. If any club members have done FLL - we are eligible for grant money, see below...
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/teamblast103113

Build It! and Drive It! - FTC workshops and scrimmages in Philly

We have an excellent opportunity for you to enhance your build season with the Build It! and Drive It! Workshop and Scrimmage series.  These events will be held on two consecutive Saturdays in November – the 9th and the 16th.

This two part series will help teams with their robot design, build, and programming, as well as provide practice time on the field.  Veteran teams Freire Charter School 5488/Robodragons and Central High School 5320/RoboLancers Gold and 6676/RoboLancers Crimson are joining forces to host and run these events.  Mentors and lead students from these schools will work directly with teams to help them prepare for their first Meet or Tournament.

Build It! will be focused on initial robot building and programming.  Bring your kit of parts, tools and laptops!  A full Block Party! field will available to test your robot.  It will be hosted at Freire Charter School, 2027 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Drive It!  will continue the building/programming/driving fun with a focus on incremental robot improvements and plenty of Block Party! field practice.  It will be hosted at Central High School, 1700 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Register your team today for both of these events at http://www.ftcpenn.org/event-registration.

Volunteers – We can always use your expertise and an extra set of hands.  Please consider volunteering for these events at http://www.ftcpenn.org/volunteer.

FTC Competition Update from FIRST Robotics

• The FTC BLOCK PARTY! Playing Field Build Guide and the Playing Field Setup Guide have been updated.  Also available are instructions for constructing the LED Balance Indicator.  You can download these guides from the FTC Game Page – www.usfirst.org/ftc/game.
•  All FTC team members MUST use the Student Team Information Member System (STIMS) to submit parental permission electronically. Visit http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/stims. 
  
• Gracious Professionalism is the hallmark of every FIRST program and is a key aspect of successful FTC Teams.  We recently teamed up with Dr. Woodie Flowers, who coined the term, to shoot a short new video on the topic.  Check it out on YouTube and share it with your Team!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8ZzoC9tCWg&feature=share&list=UUkWMXdRQr5yoZRz7gFYyRcw

FTC Schedule 2013-14

See our 'Event Schedule' link for changes...

• Workshop Sat. Nov. 9 at Friere Charter School
• Phila.'s State Qualifier: #1 Wed. Nov. 20 or Thu. Nov 21 at Temple Univ.?
• Phila.'s State Qualifier: #2 Wed. Jan. 15 or Thu. 16 at Temple Univ.?
• Final Phila. State Qualifier: Sat. Feb 8 at Temple Univ.?

All FTC team members and prospective team members should be very familiar with these game documents:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game 

Rule updates must also be monitored on the FTC Question and Answer forum, someone on the team needs to take this role on:
http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forum.php

Technical support information for all team members -building, designing, documenting:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/team-resources

FTC equipment ordering, raise the $ and buy what ever we want!:
http://www.andymark.com/FTC-s/274.htm

All Club and Team members strongly encouraged to attend robotics training Sat. Oct. 5th at West Philly HS

All students interested in training workshops on mechanical, electrical system, and programming in RobotC should attend the Philly regional event at West Philly High School this Saturday Oct. 5th starting around 9:30AM to 2:30pm at 49th & Market St.(enter on Chestnut St.)  Although this event is primarily for the First Tech Challenge(FTC) competition, all students interested in any competitive robotics should strongly consider attending.  See recent previous posts for FTC resources and links.

Philly FTC Kickoff Agenda:

Time	Activity
9:00	Check-in
9:30	Philadelphia Students	Philadelphia Coaches
	FIRST FTC Introduction – Tom Zawislak	Effective Meetings Roundtable
	Judging and Awards – Jason Falconio	Led by Chris Fogwell and Daniel Ueda
	Engineering Notebook - Central High Students
	RobotC - Central High Students
	Building to the Game - Roundtable
	Open Q&A – Resource Sharing
12:00	Lunch
12:45	2012-2013 FTC Game – Block Party!!	The Block Party field will be set up
	Game Rules- Tom Z and Lena Kang
2:00	Closing Remarks

Please note the school district is unable to provide transportation and lunch for the kick-off this year. There are several pizzerias in the area that will deliver e.g. Powelton Pizza, Ed's Pizza and Wings.

First Tech Challenge(FTC) Resources

All FTC team members and prospective team members should be very familiar with these game documents:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game 

Rule updates must also be monitored on the FTC Question and Answer forum, someone on the team needs to take this role on:
http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forum.php

Technical support information for all team members -building, designing, documenting:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/team-resources

FTC equipment ordering, raise the $ and buy what ever we want!:
http://www.andymark.com/FTC-s/274.htm

See Jaime, Kai or Mr. Koehler with questions.

Veteran Team Members Brainstorming Week

Greetings all,

All veteran team members remember that we are meeting on Monday (September 30th) to do some in depth research on designs for FTC. On Wednesday trough Friday we will focus on working on our own designs and finalizing it on Friday. We will most likely each work on a specific component of the design and take the best ones to create our final blueprint. THESE MEETINGS ARE MANDATORY. If you want more info on it, talk to me, Jaime, or Mr. Koehler. All freshman and new members also remember to attend the club meeting on Tuesday.

Thanks,
Kai
Vice President

Mark your Calendar Sat.10/5: FTC Kickoff at West Philly High School

All club and team members should attend to learn about the game rules first-hand for the Philly kickoff for the FTC (First Tech Challenge), see http://www.ftcpenn.org for more details.