FTC Team Blast #3: FTC E-mail Blast | Scholarships | FTC Forums | Status Reports | Qualification Tourney Info

Happy Friday, Teams!
We are preparing for tomorrow's Skills Driving Event in West Des Moines. Thank you, #3550, Beta, for all of the fantastic organizing you've done to make this a success. We look forward to seeing the teams tomorrow!

This email contains the following:

1. FTC National E-mail Blast
2. Scholarships
3. FTC National Forums
4. Status Reports
5. Qualification Tournament Registration

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1. FTC National E-mail Blast
Earlier this morning, you should have received a team blast from FTC Headquarters. Please read all of the information in that e-mail. Most importantly:

• FTC Mentor Guide -- You can view it at: http://usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FTC/FTC_Mentor_Guide_2011.pdf
• FTC YouTube Channel -- Excellent videos to help guide your team. Subscribe at: http://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTTechChallenge
• Senior Mentor Call Schedule -- Excellent opportunity to listen in to hear how other teams have been successful with mentors. It is highly encourage you or a mentor call in to one of these calls. More information is at:
  http://www3.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/senior_mentor_call_schedule
• FTC Communication Survey -- They are seeking effective methods of communicating to teams, coaches, etc. It really only takes about 5 min. Please complete it at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JT6NPNC

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2. Scholarships
Did you know there was nearly $15 million in scholarships available to FIRST students last year? Over 140 different organizations provided scholarships, which varied from $1,000 to full-ride tuition scholarships.
The University of Iowa is one of the institutions that is offering scholarships to FIRST students. More information about The University of Iowa College of Engineering scholarships, including how to apply, can be found at:
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/sdc/scholarships.php

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3. FTC National Forums
Seeking advice or clarification on a specific rule on the "Bowled Over" game manual? Check out the FTC Forums: http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/
Any/all information on these forums is considered official and teams are responsible for knowing this information. Teams will need to register to gain access to the complete forum.
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4. Status Reports
A Huge Thank You! to the teams who were able to complete the Status Report. We were able to get help to the teams who indicated they needed help. If you haven't been able to complete it, please do so by Oct. 1 (tomorrow).
It can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dENtNi16UGJ0aXRMRlQ2MHZvUi1DeGc6MA#gid=0

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5. Qualification Tournament Registration

As a heads up, Round #1 of Qualification Tournament registration will be from Oct. 5-Oct. 11. During Round #1, you will have the opportunity to register and indicate your top 2 qualification tournaments your team would like to attend. If your team does not register during this week, you forfeit an opportunity of a tournament. More information will be sent out on Oct. 4th.


Thank you! "With High 5's and Admiration"

The FTC-Iowa Team

FTC YouTube Channel and Samantha

YouTube Channel
FIRST Tech Challenge has put together a YouTube Channel with some very neat videos!
Check out their YouTube Channel: FTC YouTube

And, if you missed the I.Am.FIRST special in August, the FTC YouTube Channel has the full video!  

Side Note #1: I would also recommend "Subscribing" to the Channel and maybe even receive notifications when new videos are uploaded."

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Samantha Wi-Fi Module

Samantha Mounting from Team 1902

The Samahtha Wi-Fi Module is THE communication device between the robot and the computer. Each team need to have one Samantha on their robot to make it run. Sometimes teams get confused with how to set-up the Samantha, but there is help!

All teams (rookie & returning) are highly encouraged to read through the Samantha Resources on the FTC website. Some stuff has changed from last season.

In addition, one of the first videos on the FTC YouTube site is about Samantha. Last season was the first FTC season using the Samantha Wi-Fi module and some teams got really confused in regards to setting up the configuration of the Samantha. Check out "How to set up your Samantha Module" video. Thanks, team #4530!

Side Note #2: Again, please don't forget to read the Samantha Resources 

Illinois Institute of Technology produced a recent study of Samantha Mounting (Placement and Orientation). A very cool read. Check it out.

FTC Team Blast #2: Welcome to Bowled Over!

Hello, Teams!
We hope everyone has been "Bowled Over". This following topics are covered in this message.
Also, an archive of this can be found on our blog at: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/

1. Upcoming Events
2. Team Status Check
3. Bowled Over Field & Materials
4. Excellent Resource "FTC Teams: Tips, Tricks, Strategies & Secrets (new edition!)"

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1. Upcoming Events
The best way to get some experience, and see what other teams are doing, is to attend some pre-competition scrimmage events. These events, are FREE! Teams are encouraged to attend at least one, if not two of them.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Team #3550 - Beta, will be hosting our first event, the Skills Driving Challenge. Check out the events website at: http://staging1.engineering.uiowa.edu/ftc-iowa-2011-events
The Skills Driving event is a GREAT way for teams to get experience with the Samantha, how to drive a robot and to meet with other teams. This event was VERY popular last season.

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2. Team Status Check
We are asking for ALL teams to complete a brief on-line form about how your team is doing. (If you have multiple teams, you will need to complete the form multiple times.) This form gives our team a great snapshot of the progress of all of our teams and see if there are areas in which we can help you. The online survey can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dENtNi16UGJ0aXRMRlQ2MHZvUi1DeGc6MA#gid=0

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3. Bowled Over Field & Materials
We have been asked, by many teams, as to where they can purchase the items for the Bowled Over game. Thank you, to Oregon FTC, for putting together this list.
**Please note: It is not required for teams to have a complete field to participate. If teams are only able to build a quarter of the field, that works as well.**

• Bill of Materials - Official "Bowled Over" Bill Of Materials
• The crates -  Sterilite 1695. Teams can also find them at Wal-mart. Teams don't need the clear ones. They are cheap at $1 per crate.
• Racquetballs - Teams don't need 100 of them for practicing. You can order them from AndyMark (www.andymark.com) at $16.28 for 24.
• Bowling Balls - check with your local bowling center and tell them what you are doing and ask if they would sell you a used 6lb. ball OR ask if they could order one at the their cost for your team. If your team decides not to attempt the bowling ball ramp part of the challenge you can skip purchasing one.
• Lights on the off-field goals - Teams don't need the lights in the ball containers at the side of the field and teams really only need to build one ramp.
• Low Cost Perimeter Option - Check it out on the FTC website: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FTC/FTC_Documents_and_Updates/2008/Low%20Cost%20Field%20BOM.pdf
• Field tiles - The official tiles used for the FTC field floor are sold through Soft Tiles (www.softtiles.com), as they are the vendor for the official FTC Field Floor. They are offering FTC teams a 10% discount. To get the discount you must place your order by PHONE 888-477-6532 (toll free) (9am – 5:30pm EST). Ask for the 2’ x 2’ gray tiles 5/8” thick and tell them you are a FTC Coach. 12’ x 12’ field = 36 tiles = $187.92 + about $50 S & H.  Please note: You still get the discount if you order less tiles. 

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4. Excellent Resource: "FTC Teams: Tips, Tricks, Strategies & Secrets" (new edition!) A huge "Thank You" to Bill Mattaliano, of Solon Robotics Teams #367 & #5062, for letting us know about an updated version of the FTC book called "FTC Teams: Tips, Tricks, Strategies & Secrets". Although it is not required for teams to have a copy, teams can learn a lot from this book. Amazon is selling them for about $10. ISBN-13 #: 978-1463788728.
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Looking forward to working with your team! Hope to see you at one of the scrimmage events!

The FTC-Iowa Team
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FTC Team Blast #1: Welcome to Bowled Over!

Hello Teams,

This is the first official FTC-Iowa team email blast for the 2011-2012 season. Please share this and all other team email blasts with your team. Unless you have made other arrangements with me, the only people on your team that receive this email are the main and alternate team contacts that are listed in the FIRST Team Information Management System that was used to register your team with FIRST. All of the FTC-Iowa team email blasts are placed in an archive on the FTC-Iowa blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/

Topics in this email include:

1. "Bowled Over" Kickoff
2. Tournament Structure for FTC-Iowa (New for 2011/2012)
3. New FTC-Iowa Website
4. Non-Competition Events are Open!


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1. "Bowled Over" Kickoff

Welcome to "Bowled Over!" Thank you to all of you who were able to attend the FTC-Iowa Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. (Huge thank you to the teams who hosted, #3548, #4371, and #5153!) It was a great day!! If you were not able to attend, the game video, game manual and field bill of materials can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/2011-2012-ftc-game-preview

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2. Tournament Structure for FTC-Iowa (New for 2011/2012)

The FTC-Iowa program runs a two-tier tournament structure - local qualifying tournaments and a FTC-Iowa Championship. The Qualifying Tournaments are hosted in various communities, beginning on Nov. 19th, and will typically have between 12-16 teams competing. Approximately four teams, per qualifier, will advance to the FTC-Iowa Championship.

Attached is the FTC-Iowa Tournament Policies. In addition, they can be found on our website (k-12.engineering.uiowa.edu, click on "FTC" -->2011/12 FTC-Iowa Events --> Information about the Qualifier Tournaments)

Registration for qualifying tournaments will be performed through the FTC-Iowa web site starting in October.

If you have any questions about the Qualifying Tournaments, please do not hesitate to ask.

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3. New FTC-Iowa Website

During the off-season, we have been very busy revamping the FTC-Iowa website. The new URL is k-12.engineering.uiowa.edu, and click on FTC.
The old "google site" eventually will be removed. If there are things you don't see on the new site, please let us know and we will make sure it gets over to the new site.

Please keep in mind, there are a few items on the new site that may change, eventually. This includes the specific URL and the "Home" button, which doesn't work, at this time. (In the mean time, please use your browser's back button).

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4. Non-Competition Events are Open!
We encourage all teams to attend as many non-competition events as possible. If your team would like to register for the Skills Driving Event or any of the Scrimmages, you can do so at this time, via the new website. A listing of events is attached as well. Non-competition events are THE BEST way to improve your robot and see how other teams have taken on the "Bowled Over" Challenge.


Thank you and we look forward to a great season!

The FTC-Iowa Team

A Few Thoughts Before Kick-Off...

 

Its hard to believe that we are just days away from the 2011 FTC Kick-Off. Its so close, we can almost count down the hours! I feel as giddy as I did on the nights before a new school year/the start of a new job, etc. To put it simply, I am giddy. I cannot imagine what the staff at FIRST is feeling; and the Game Design Committee members, they must be over-excited.


One important note: The FTC staff and GDC member should be thanked a million times, and then thanked again. These folks work all year long on the game, in fact, they probably started brainstorming last fall. They are truly an amazing group of folks and I personally admire each and every one of them. As you read the Game Manual on Saturday, take a look at the first few pages and send a thank you to the magical/brilliant/amazing members of the GDC & FTC staff. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
To them, I say "Oink! Oink!" :-)

Kick-Off in Iowa: A Celebration
On Saturday, Sept. 10, the FTC-Iowa program is hosting its annual Kick-Off Celebration. This is our 3rd Annual Kick-Off Event, and it really is a celebration. We are celebrating the new season. We are celebrating the wonderful volunteers, who dedicate their time to FTC. We are celebrating the returning coaches who are offering FTC to their students - again. We are celebrating the rookie coaches who are willing to offer FTC to their students. We are celebrating. (We anticipate nearly 270 students/mentors/volunteers/coaches who will be celebrating with us.)
Check out the FTC-Iowa Celebration website.

Its time to "Get Over It"...
Last season, FTC-Iowa had many highs and many lows and I, personally, was not prepared to handle all of the peaks and valleys of last season. However, I got through them because of the wonderful support I received from the members of FTC-Iowa Advisory Group. To these guys, I am forever grateful. You are my brothers. :-)
In addition, the coaches and students were just amazing. You kept me going - You gave me the steam to continue. Thank you.
Its official. Its time to Get Over It.

Thank you!
A huge thank you to Rockwell Collins, as they are the Official Program Sponsor of the FTC program. In Iowa, we are very fortunate to have such a great relationship with Rockwell Collins. Their employees/retirees/interns serve as coaches, mentors and volunteers for the FTC-Iowa program. Thank you. 

Game Hints
Although Ken has revealed some Game Hints on his blog, I'm hoping for water balloons. Sorry, but I don't have any game hints. ;(

And Finally...
Good luck to the FLL teams on "Food Factor" and Jr. FLL teams on "Snack Attack". May those students continue with FIRST and we'll see them in a few years in FTC. Please wish me luck as I coach my first FLL and Jr. FLL teams. (I have REALLY been bit by the FIRST bug.)


Wishing all of the FTC teams a great Kick-Off and a wonderful season!

See you out there,
Rebecca Whitaker

FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner