First and foremost, we are wishing all of our coaches, mentors and team members a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We, at FTC-Iowa, have a lot to be thankful for!
You are receiving this e-mail because you are a coach or an assistant coach for an FTC-Iowa team.
There was not a team blast for Week #10. (Have you missed a FTC-Iowa Team Blast? An archive of these messages are located on our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/)
1. FTC-Iowa Championship Registration
2. Scrimmage Registration
3. FTC Forums
There was not a team blast for Week #10. (Have you missed a FTC-Iowa Team Blast? An archive of these messages are located on our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/)
1. FTC-Iowa Championship Registration
2. Scrimmage Registration
3. FTC Forums
4. Handy Tools for Teams
5. Software Resources
5. Software Resources
6. FTC Team Blasts from FIRST
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1. FTC-Iowa Championship Registration
If you have not already done so, please register for the FTC-Iowa Championship at:
https://sites.google.com/site/
The deadline for Iowa teams to register is Wednesday, December 15, 2010. At that time, we will open the remaining spots to out-of-Iowa teams.
Please remember, if you received a Rockwell Collins grant (94% of the teams), you agreed to participate in a tournament with your team. There is a $275 registration fee to compete in FTC-Iowa tournament. (This is different than the $275 FIRST registration fee at the beginning of the season.). Teams may attend up to three tournaments during the season. Please keep in mind, other tournaments may have a lower registration fee, but the travel accommodations may be more expensive.
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Please remember, if you received a Rockwell Collins grant (94% of the teams), you agreed to participate in a tournament with your team. There is a $275 registration fee to compete in FTC-Iowa tournament. (This is different than the $275 FIRST registration fee at the beginning of the season.). Teams may attend up to three tournaments during the season. Please keep in mind, other tournaments may have a lower registration fee, but the travel accommodations may be more expensive.
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2. Scrimmage Registration
Attending a scrimmage is one of the best opportunities for teams to learn. These events are free and we encourage all teams to attend at least one scrimmage.
Due to various facility capacity requirements, we must have an accurate count of the teams to attend. Please register for the scrimmages at: https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/project-definition/Events
3. FTC Game Q&A Forum
FIRST provides a Question and Answer Online Forum to assist all FTC Teams with Best Practices, the latest information available and in some cases clarifications regarding the Game Manual that are enforceable at FTC Competitions.
In order to post your question to the FTC Game Q&A Forum, you must be a Registered FTC Team. Some posting address common questions regarding Get OVER IT! The Game, Samantha, the Field Control System, Programming Solutions, Fundraising and there is also an Open Forum segment. Each FTC Team is highly encouraged to use the FTC Game Q&A Forum to ask questions, share your good ideas and communicate frequently throughout the season. For more visit: http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/
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4. Handy Tools for Teams
The FTC-Iowa FTA has some great inexpensive tool recommendations for teams to consider. These are not required for teams, but they may be handy.
- 7/64 Hex Insert Bit - the sort you'd use with a small cordless screwdriver (like the 4v Ryobi at Home Depot) (be careful not to strip screws, use the clutch!) This is a stainless steel bit that fits the hex screws very tightly, and is good for tiresome things like putting the long screws through the wheels, tightening down easily accessible screws. The disadvantage is that this tool cannot reach into tight spaces. http://www.amazon.com/gp/
product/B001550CHA/ref=oss_ produc - 7/64 Hex Precision Screwdriver http://www.amazon.com/gp/
product/B001ID97YI/ref=oss_ product - 7/64 T Handle with a 7" long blade, good for getting into tight spaces and really tightening things down. http://www.amazon.com/gp/
product/B000936RDC/ref=oss_ product
5. Software Resources
Based on the feedback we received from teams, it looks as if many teams are seeking resources for both software platforms.
- LabView: (https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/software/labview) On this page, check out the ftcmastery.com link.
- RobotC (https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/software/robotc), and the attachment, the RobotC Training Guide. In addition to the resources on this page, check out the Robotics Academy, sponsored by Carnegie Mellon at http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/fire/competitions/ftc/.
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6. FTC Team Blasts from FIRST
Are you getting the team blasts from FIRST? Please pay close attention to these, as they contain important information. One particular e-mail, to pay close attention to, is the one from November 18. An archive of the team blasts, from FIRST, can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/content.aspx?id=18132
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Thank you all, and have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.
Rebecca Whitaker & FTC-Iowa team
