1. FTC Global Collaboration
2. PTC Workshops
3. Rockwell Collins Grants
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1. FTC Global CollaborationPTC is starting a new program called the "Global Collaboration Project". This would be to pair-up successful Iowa teams with teams in different countries, specifically India. The Iowa teams would help mentor the teams from India via Skype and use the WindChill collaboration tool and ProE/MathCad (this is where PTC is interested). The India FTC season will start June 1 and the Championship will be on Aug. 15. The game they will be playing is "Get Over It!". On Aug. 15th, the goal is to have an area where the Iowa teams can "watch" how their counterparts in India are doing at their Championship, all via Skype. Our team is trying to organize a location for this.
Consider this an opportunity for your team to: 1) meet and work with students from different countries; 2) have the ability to use and gain knowledge with using the PTC software: Pro/E, WindChill, and MathCad, so you can be proficient next season; 3) have the ability to work through Get Over It! a second time and look at the challenge in a new prospective. If you are interested in helping teams from India, please let me know by Monday, May 23rd. I will then forward your contact information to PTC and they can get WindChill accounts set up for your team members.
(FYI: all of the students from India do speak English, to some extent.)
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2. PTC Workshops
One thing we discovered by attending World Championships, a few weeks ago, was the amount of teams who used Pro/E to design their bots. We understand using another software program takes time, which many teams do not have, but please think of it this way:
- If you do not use Pro/E or a CAD program to build your robot, you can get the structure done faster. However, what happens if an internal part disconnects? What happens if the center of gravity is off? You would need to dismantle the bot or it may tip over and not function.
- If you do use Pro/E or a CAD program to help build the bot, the bot may not be constructed quickly, but your team will be able to test the center of gravity and you'll be able to see how the internal dimensions of the bot. In addition, you will know the exact dimensions of the bot, which comes in handy for inspections.
- *Remember, Pro/E and the other PTC software applications come when you purchase the kit of parts and/or the Software Renewal Package.*
In August and throughout the early next season we will be hosting PTC workshops. If you are interested in attending or even hosting a workshop, please let us know by Monday, May 23rd so we can arrange dates and locations.
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3. Rockwell Collins Grants
Please don't miss out on this opportunity to get support through Rockwell Collins. They are now accepting applications for FTC team grants. More information can be found on our website: https://sites.google.com/site/
Historically, their policy is to award grants to non-profit organizations, such as schools, 4-H Clubs, Girl/Boy Scouts, etc. In addition, they will award up to 2 grants per location - so, if you had one team last season, and would like to start up a second team, please submit an application for your team from last year and another one for your new team. (If you are not adding any more teams, please submit an application for your team from last year.)
