Poem of Appreciation to the Volunteers

A Note to the FTC-Iowa volunteers
(Including qualifier planners).

Please accept the poem as a token of appreciation.
I have a huge amount of respect and adoration
The FTC volunteers in Iowa, who are the best.
The FTC events can be long, with little rest!
But the volunteers continue to inspire
The students who desire
Important life-long learning while having fun.
The FTC volunteers are the core
They ask for little, but give so much more.
When I'm exhausted, tired, or down in the dumps,
They just flash a smile and it pulls me out of the slump!
So, from the bottom of my heart
I'd like to say thank you.
I'm so very fortunate to work with a team
Who knows what Gracious Professionalism really means!
The FTC volunteers (in Iowa and beyond) are second to none.
Put it simply, they cannot be outdone!

* It is because of your hard work & dedication that FTC can inspire so many students. Wishing you and your families a wonderful and joyous holiday season. See you in 2013!!
With much gratitude,
Becca Whitaker
FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner

Ask An Expert | Samantha Help | Qualifiers | Don't forget the Logos! | STEM Scale-Up

Hello, FTC Coaches!
I know this time of year is busy, so I will make this short and simple. Five items for your review today.

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FIRST Ask an Expert Website
If your team has questions about any of the following categories then visit the Ask the Expert page. Categories are: Software basics; FTC Build Strategy; How to Impress Judges; Samantha Module Basics; Software Basics; and Team Strategy at Events
The Ask An Expert webpage has recordings of calls and presentations you can download.
It can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/askanexpert

If you have specific questions about the game or rules, remember to check the FIRST Forums: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/gameqainstructions

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Samantha Help
The little black box that came with your kit is called a Samantha. (If you didn't get one, please let me know asap.) Samantha is critical for the robot to connect to the field during the matches. We understand there are many questions floating around about Samantha and how it works, so I would like to encourage you to visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/samantha

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Qualifiers
Its officially the mid-point of FTC Season - five FTC qualifier tournaments are in the books and several remain. If you would like more information about the qualifier tournaments, including a list of the teams who have earned their way to the FTC-Iowa Championship, please visit
https://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/qualifier-tournaments

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Don't forget the logos!
If your team received any external support, don't forget to put the logo on your robot and t-shirts. Remember the logos. These folks gave you money - it is important to recognize their contributions to your FTC team.

If your season is done, please write a letter of thanks to these sponsors.

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STEM Scale-Up
If you have questions about the STEM Scale-Up program/grants and what it covers, please visit:
https://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/ftc-stem-scale-up

We've been fielding a lot of questions about the additional robot parts and what can it cover. Coach Niematalo, of #4150, compiled a fantastic list of suggestions. Check it out.

FTC MAGIC - It Does Exist!

Have you ever been frustrated with FTC? Like, really frustrated?? Ever ask yourself: “WHY doesn’t the robot work?”; “Are we REALLY ready for the tournament?”; “How important is the engineering notebook? Do the judges read it anyway?”; “FTC is not making a difference in MY life!”

(Yes, the judges do read your notebook!!)

Trust me, I have been frustrated too, but its more because of the mounds of paperwork (processing Memo of Agreements, making qualifying tournament assignments, collecting subaward agreements, establishing POs for 100+ teams, receiving and processing quotes from vendors, reserving vehicles, reimbursing qualifying hosts, processing registration fees, etc.). I’m not complaining -  but sometimes I just need to see a little MAGIC to get me through a long day.

So, here are five stories of FTC MAGIC, happening this season, that have inspired me and hopefully they will inspire you.

FTC MAGIC -- A Student’s Life
During the Awards Ceremony of the Nov. 17th Cedar Valley Qualifier, the emcee was stumbling a bit while reading the award script for the Connect Award. He said “Love. Peace. And....” stopped. One of the students in the audience, stood up very proudly, and shouted “Love! Peace! And, chicken grease!” The audience erupted in applause while the team from Mason City, Iowa came down to accept their award.

This team is a rookie team from a district with 54% Free & Reduced Lunch. It is only because of the funding from the Rockwell Collins Rookie FTC grant and the STEM Scale-Up grant were they able they were able to start a team.

It was after the event when I realized how much FTC has impacted Johney, (a.k.a Mr. Love. Peace & Chicken Grease).  On Monday, Nov. 19th, I got an email from his coach saying that Johney said that the day was “the best day of his life”.

If we can make a Saturday the best day of a student’s life, then its all worth it.
As a “Thank You!”, I’d like to say “Love! Peace! And, Chicken Grease!”

FTC MAGIC -- Never Too Small
On Sat., Dec 8th Team #6583 only had a student and a coach.  For whatever reasons, the other  teammates could not attend. Put it simply: The student rocked. The coach rocked. Team #6583 was selected during alliance selection and made it to the semi-final matches.

A team is never too small to be loud and impressive.

FTC Magic -- Last Ranked Team
FTC tournaments are very unique. Regardless of where your team is ranked at the end of the qualifying matches, they still have the potential of advancing.

After the qualifying rounds of the Dec. 1st event in Solon, the teams were ranked and alliance selection process made the event VERY interesting. The first ranked team picked the second ranked team, which essentially moved the fifth ranked team, Team #367, into the fourth position -- and could make a selection. (Game Manual 1 - Section 2.6.8: Alliance Process) Because they had done fantastic scouting, Team #367 picked team #5143, which ironically, was ranked last. Team #367, #5143 and their alliance partner #3866 developed a great strategy and ended up winning their semi-final and final matches!

Many of our qualifiers advance five teams. (Game Manual 1 - Section 2.8: Advancement Criteria) As we advanced five teams, we arrived at the #5 Criteria: Winning Alliance, 1st Team Selected. Simply put, team # 5143, the last ranked team, Advanced to the FTC-Iowa Championship!

“The students have been re-energized and are working non-stop on the robot” said #5143 coach, Barb Miltner. “It was a great example of Gracious Professionalism!”

FTC MAGIC -- Inspiring a Volunteer
FTC Events are long, no doubt about it. Sometimes after a long exhausting week at work its hard to get the motivation to leave the house at 5am and drive to the venue, set up and be ready for doors to open at 7am.  However, during the day - and being with amazing students, sponsors coaches, mentors and volunteers - it evolves into a motivating and energizing event.

Craig Martinson, a FTC volunteer says that he helps because he sees how it has impacted his daughter and the students of his community. “I see how it motivates girls to go into engineering. I see how kids work together, even if they are on competing teams. I see how much value FTC gives students working and problem solving with others.”

Again, these events are motivators. I go home and I’m wired. At the end of a long tournament day, despite how exhausted my body may be, I feel like I did something positive to change the world. That’s FTC magic.

FTC MAGIC -- Connecting Around the World
FTC students are doing some amazing things -- and making the world a smaller place. Team #3550, Beta, from West Des Moines has developed a way to remote connect with a robot half way around the world. The magnitude of this is just awesome - the technical elements I just cannot comprehend. Controlling the robot from Des Moines, Iowa and the watching the robot move in Moscow, Russia or Sydney, Australia? Wow.

That is FTC MAGIC.

**Team #5975: Continue On and Be Strong. Your mentor would have wanted it this way.**

Again, regardless of how frustrated you may be for the short-term, please remember, there is a thing called FTC MAGIC and it gets us through the tough times.

Love your Team # | Resources | Qualifier Assignments | Socialize with us!

2012 FTC-Iowa Coaches:
Welcome to the 2012-2013 FTC Season! For many of you, this is a new experience and you may be lost. That is ok. Just remember one thing: breathe!

1. Love Your Team #
2. Resources. Resources. Resources.
3. Qualifier Assignments
4. Socialize with us!

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1. Love Your Team #
The 4-digit permanent team number will become an element of pride. These numbers stick with the team. If you can integrate it in what your team does, please do. Example: if your number was 5280 your slogan could be "We go the extra mile". If your team # was 360, your logo could be "2Pi". Get it? Be creative.

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2. Resources. Resources. Resources.
Looking for resources as to where to start? Great question.
Online Resources

• FTC-Iowa Webpage (bookmark!): http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge
• FTC Webpage (bookmark!): http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc
• FTC Forum (For a specific game rule item, in which you need expertise, please review the Game Forums. Also good idea to bookmark): http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/
• YouTube (always a great place to find videos of teams and what they are doing.)
• Attached is a JumpStart Guide compiled by Team #3550, Beta and an FAQ guide about FTC - including a letter to send out to local businesses to generate support.
  

Human Resources
If you are needing a human resource we have those for you too!

• Attend a non-tournament event - these are FREE! You can find a listing of them on our Events Calendar page (http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/event-calendar)  We do ask for teams to register...and you can up through two days prior to each event.
  
• Scrimmage in both Van Horne & Waterloo: Nov. 17
  
• Looking to use LabView for your programming language? We have a LabView training scheduled for 10/27 in Maxwell.
• In Western Iowa and want to attend a non-tournament event? Scrimmage on Nov. 10th - West High School, Sioux City, Iowa, 12pm-4pm.
• Scrimmage in Winthrop: Nov. 17
  
• Scrimmage on the far SE tip of Iowa: Nov. 17th Central Lee High School 10am-2pm
• Workshops in Davenport: Nov. 17 & Dec. 15
  
• Learn from other teams: Next week we will distribute a listing of folks who indicated they are willing to have their contact information be shared. Please do not hesitate to contact these folks. Hint: the smaller the team number, the more years of experience they have. If you see a team with a number lower than 5600, they experienced FTC last season and are now considered "returning teams".
  

3. Qualifier Assignments
By the end of next week, we should have the qualifier assignments completed. If your team received funding from Rockwell Collins or the STEM Scale-Up program, you are required to compete at a tournament - or your grants will be void. More information about qualifier tournaments, and how to prepare for them, can be found at: https://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/qualifier-tournaments

4. Socialize with us!
We want to be social with our teams! Create a Facebook account and lets be friends! Lets tweet. If your team uses social media (Facebook & Twitter are easy to set up) please complete this form. (This is also a great way for potential sponsors - local businesses & industries - to follow your teams' progression throughout the season.

Thank you! Good luck and welcome to FTC!
Rebecca & the FTC-Iowa Team

Upcoming Events | Iowa Qualifer Information | Field Drawings & Bill of Materials | Missouri Workshop

2012 Teams:
Just a quick note -- welcome to those who have just joined the FTC program!

1. Upcoming Iowa Non-Tournament Events
2. Iowa FTC Qualifier Information
3. Field Drawings and Bill of Materials
4. Missouri Workshop

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1 Upcoming Iowa Non-Tournament Events:
We have some fantastic events scheduled throughout all areas of Iowa. The next one is Saturday, Oct. 13 and many after that.

Dates of the events, including registration information can be found at:
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/event-calendar

Even if you don't have your kit, or won't have anything "built" prepared for an event, I would certainly encourage that you attend. Many of these are "workshops", in which a robot is not required.

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2. Iowa FTC Qualifier Information
We will be hosting 11 qualifiers this season. The registration process will be the following:
a) a link to an online form will be sent out to all registered FTC-Iowa teams.
b) teams will have one week to complete the online form.
c) on that form, teams will indicate # of qualifiers (1 or 2) they want to compete in.
d) for each qualifier, they will indicate a preference of three events they would want to participate.
e) the form will ask for payment, either credit card or invoice.

After the registration window has closed, teams will be "assigned" to tournaments according to their preferences.

If invoice method of payment is selected, payment MUST be received within 30 days of invoice being sent.


NOTE: This registration window has not opened. Teams will receive an email when it does open.

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3. Field Drawings and Bill of Materials
For those teams and coaches who are new to FTC, information about the game, and the field and equipment can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game

If you received STEM Scale-Up funding, you have a $300 allowance to build the field components. Please review the Field Bill of Materials.

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4. Missouri Workshop
Received this note from our partners in MO.
If any of you are interested in attending the PD in Missouri, please visit the website and register.

It looks like we have extra capacity at a workshop we're hosting on Oct. 20th to cover PTC, LabView, & ROBOTC for FTC teams.  I was wondering if you'd like to invite teams from Iowa who might be willing to give up a Saturday & drive down to St. Louis.  The conference starts fairly early in the morning, but it may still be worth it.

All the details (thus far) here:  http://stlfirst.org/FRCFTCFLLJrFLL/FIRSTTechChallengeAges1418/20122013FTCSoftwareWorkshop/tabid/263/Default.aspx

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!!

STEM Scale-Up Grants | Upcoming Non-Tournament Events | Social Media

Hello!
Just a quick note..

1. STEM Scale-Up Grants - DEADLINE: Friday, Sept. 14 (Tomorrow)
If you have not already applied, please apply for the STEM Scale-Up Grants. More information, including the registration form, can be found at www.iowastem.org

A description of the FTC STEM Scale-Up funds can be found at: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/ftc-stem-scale-up
Selected applicants will receive notices on or before Oct. 1, 2012.

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2. Non-Tournament Events
Registration for the 2012/2013 Non-Tournament Events can be found at: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/event-calendar
All non-tournament events are FREE.

This calendar is updated frequently, so check it often.

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3. We are Social!
Like us on Facebook: "FTC Iowa"
Follow us on Twitter: "ftc_iowa"
Or add us to your Circles G+: "FTC Iowa"
Don't forget our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/


Time for us to "Ring It Up!"

Ring It Up! | STEM Scale-Up | Register Your Team

Welcome to RING IT UP!

1. Celebration of STEM & FIRST - Wrap-Up
Thank you to those coaches, mentors, students, and volunteers who attended the Celebration of STEM & FIRST yesterday at the Iowa Memorial Union. We estimated there were between 400 - 450 attendees. We had great workshops and a excellent line-up of special dignitaries (Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov Reynolds, Univ. of Iowa president Sally Mason, Iowa State President Steven Leath, JP Besong from Rockwell Collins and FIRST Program Officer Ken Johnson) who really promoted the importance of STEM and FIRST. Our very own Jerry Lalor did a great job introducing the game.

Check out the special video message from Dean Kamen: www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge  (videos page)

From the feedback I received yesterday morning, there were no issues of heavy traffic and parking could be easily found nearby. For those wondering about the venue, we had plenty of room to accommodate our large crowd and could have accommodated even 200 more. So, thank you to those who attended!!

2. STEM Scale-Up - Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14
FRIDAY, Sept. 14 is the application deadline for STEM Scale-Up. Remember to apply at www.iowastem.org
Are you curious as to what is included or covered by the STEM Scale-Up funds for FTC?
The entire listing, of what the package includes, can be found on our website at:
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge/ftc-stem-scale-up

We are unsure of this funding for next year, so if you are on the fence, this is the time to apply for funding.

Applicants will receive notification on or before Oct. 1, 2012.

3. Register Your Team for Ring It Up!
If you are a returning team from last year, or if you have received a Rockwell Collins FTC grant, please register your team. It is important that we get all of the teams registered as soon as possible so we have an accurate number to plan out our qualifier events. Teams can register at https://my.usfirst.org/ftc/tims/site.lasso