A New Year of Gracious Professionalism

Similar to Ken Johnson's blog entry, we would like to express our gratitude for all of the wonderful people (volunteers, coaches, mentors and students) who have been a critical part to the FTC program in Iowa. If you haven't already done so, check out Ken's blog post.

In addition to the people, Gracious Professionalism is what makes FIRST and FTC very special.
Over the holiday break, I received an email from coach Jerry Sheehy (#6121) and it was full of Gracious Professionalism. **Check out the update at the bottom of this article!**

Background:
Team #6121 competed at the Dec. 14 event at East Buchanan High School. The final alliance was Red Alliance teams #6121 CougarBots (from Cedar Rapids, Iowa), #4324 (from Marion), #5023 (from Waterloo) and Blue Alliance teams #6113 WHO (from Cedar Rapids), #4150 (from Marion), #5445 (from Waterloo).  Red Alliance took the first match. Blue Alliance took the second match.


Jerry's email:

"At the East Buchanan FTC Qualifier, #6113 WHO called a time-out to allow the competing alliance, led by #6121 CougarBots, time to complete repairs before the third match of the finals. #6113's coach, Vince Roth, was in the stands and was unaware that his team had called the time-out until the emcee announced it to the crowd. The Red Alliance, led by Team #6121 CougarBots won the final match 133-132, earning advancement to the Iowa FTC Tournament.

After the competition, #6121 CougarBots expressed regret that #6113 WHO was not also advancing to the Iowa FTC Tournament. And, all of the remaining qualifiers are full. In appreciation of the Gracious Professionalism demonstrated by #6113 WHO, #7806 CougarBytes, (the #6121 CougarBots sister team) would like to voluntarily give #6113 WHO their competition position at the Kennedy High School FTC Qualifier on January 18th. 

The CougarBots and CougarBytes both wish #6113 WHO the best of luck at the Kennedy Qualifier on January 18th at Harding Middle School."

Congratulations to all who are living Gracious Professionalism. Good luck FRC teams!

Update: On Jan. 9, FTC-Iowa received the following email from the Project Manager in Mt. Vernon: 
"We, team #3549 Born to be Wired, would like to "Pay-It-Forward", by offering to give up our spot at the Kennedy Qualifier on Jan. 18th to the CougarBytes. This would allow both of the Kennedy teams to complete at the same qualifier. Having recently hosted a qualifier tournament, I can say that both Mt. Vernon teams really enjoyed participating at "home" and had a lot of local family & friends come and watch us. We think the Kennedy teams should enjoy the same experience. Good luck, CougarBytes" -- Born to be Wired, Team #3549

Event Feedback | Event Summaries | Leaving Tournaments Early | A Message from our Judge Advisors

1. Event Feedback
2. Event Summaries
3. Leaving tournaments early is not Gracious Professionalism
4. A Message from our Judge Advisors


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1. Event Feedback
If your team has participated in a qualifier event, FIRST would like to have your feedback! Please take five minutes and complete a brief survey. Your feedback is very important to us - and it is anonymous.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/eventsurvey

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2. Event Summaries
Are you interested in knowing the results from the Qualifiers? Check out the Qualifier Summary Page. This lists the teams who won awards, teams who advanced, links to pictures and other tidbits.

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3. Leaving tournaments early is not Gracious Professionalism
Tournament organizers and volunteers put a lot of time and effort to make sure each and every event runs smoothly. We understand that many teams have long drives "home" - in fact many of us have long drives ourselves. Please remember that many volunteers are the first ones to arrive (around 6:30am) and are the last ones to depart (around 7pm).

We are asked multiple times "Our team was not selected in the alliance selection, can we leave?" or "Can we get our engineering notebook back early?". Although it is fine to pack up your pit area, we discourage teams from leaving early.

• If your team departs early - we will not return engineering notebooks.
• If your team departs early - we will not send any awards to your team. Judges take great consideration and deliberation to select the teams for each award. It is not in line with Gracious Professionalism for a team not to be present to receive the trophy and recognition. If you depart early and your team receives an award, please communicate with me as to what qualifier your will be attending to receive your award. We will not mail any trophies.
  

If winter weather hits there are items we can do to accelerate the speed of the tournament. Please be respectful and stay to the end of closing ceremonies.

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4. A note from our Judge Advisors
The Judges continue to be impressed with your Gracious Professionalism and hard work.  Some mid-season feedback for you:

Notebooks are VERY important.  In the business world, these represent how your great ideas and hard work can "pay off".  

•  Help ensure Intellectual Property rights
•  The ability to replicate your success thereby taking it from a "one of a kind" success to something that can benefit the entire world
•  Record and review your amazing failures (some say "life's best teacher") and successes
•  Solidify the "Why" your team exists and how others can add to your team's success (Business Plan)

Here are some excellent resources for the above mentioned Notebook, as well as fundraising.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/first-fundraising-toolkit#!

Fundraising has important aspects:

•   Funds provide you options (more teams, fancier robot, awesomer team outfits and bling, more reach to your outreach, etc.)
•   Communicating about your needed funds can be an awesome conversation about FIRST:  1) how FIRST benefits you, the team, the community, etc; 2) What a local business can do to contribute (Mentor, Sponsor, Host events, Hire Interns, ...)
• Practicing/honing your communication skills (once you've made up your mind, you then need to convince others)
• A guide to help you with fundraising can be found using the Light Up! Iowa "Securing Funding Brochure"

Business Plans can provide the "why".  Why is the source for Inspiration.  This gentleman, ethnographer and leadership expert, shares the concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2SEPoQEgqA

Congrats Beta #3550 | Planning Ahead for FTC 2013-2014

Hello, teams!

Again, fantastic "Ring it Up" Season!

A few items for you today and many ask for your action.

1. Congrats to Beta, #3550 & Combustible Lemons #5466
2. Rockwell Collins grants are now open!

3. Interested in Hosting an Event in 2013-2014?

4. Save the Date: Coach & Volunteer workshop August 5-9, 2014

5. Changes for Method of Payment beginning 2013-2014

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1. Congrats to Beta #3550 & Combustible Lemons #5466
A HUGE congratulations out to Team #3550, Beta winner of the 2013 Inspire Award at the FTC World Championship!

A team that wins the Inspire award is recognized as representing the core values of FIRST and Gracious Professionalism to the fullest, has a competitive robot, communicates effectively with teams, businesses, and one another, exemplifies the spirit of discovery and science, and exceeds the expectations for all other awards!
To put this in familiar terms for Iowa, this is the equivalent of Shawn Johnson winning the Gold medal in the Olympics!

The Combustible Lemons, Team #5466, did an excellent job representing Iowa as well. They were picked during the Alliance Selection in the Edison Division.

Check out the wrap-up video!

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2. Rockwell Collins FTC grants are now open!

During the FIRST World Championship, we were very excited to hear that Rockwell Collins has committed to another 3-year support of FTC! They are starting right now, with team grant support for 2013-2014!

• Teams eligible for these grants must have an affiliation with a school or 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (for example, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club) and be located in the state of Iowa.
• Only two Rockwell Collins grants per organization.
• If "Ring It Up" was your rookie year, you are eligible to apply for a $275 Rockwell Collins grant!
• If you had one team last year and had a large amount of student interest and are considering starting a second FTC team, this "new" team would be eligible for the Rockwell Collins Rookie Award.

Grant recipients must agree to the following:

• Teams will consist of 5-10 members between the ages of 14 and 18.
• The team will meet at least weekly throughout the season.
• Coaches will participate in a training session for coaches.
• The teams will participate in a tournament, which may be a regional or championship event.
• The coach will be responsible for managing the team and participating in a post-season evaluation.

For more information, including the application, please visit the Rockwell Collins FIRST Website.

**If you know of an organization who would be interested in starting a rookie team for 2013-2014, they are also eligible! Please forward this information!

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3. Interested in Hosting an Event for 2013-2014?

We are seeking teams who are interested in hosting a scrimmage, workshop or qualifier tournaments for 2013-2014!
If you are interested in hosting either a workshop, scrimmage or qualifier, complete the Host Event Form.

Requirements for hosting a scrimmage or workshop include the following:
1) About 4 hours for the event - not including set-up or tear down.
2) Hosts provide own field & necessary field electronics.
3) Hosts recruit teams, and accept registrations. Teams are not to be charged registration fees.
4) Hosts can arrange lunch/concessions and sell items to teams attending.
5) Hosts recruit local volunteers to help with event.

Hosting a qualifying tournament requires the following:
1) Facility would be available for 12 hours on the day of the event. (This does not include set-up for night before.)
2) Qualifying tournaments require 2 competition fields and 1 practice field, for a total of 3 fields.
Note: Many FTC teams have field perimeter and tiles, some also have electronics and tape for a field. It is up to the event host to coordinate the fields and items associated with fields. FTC-Iowa will not be providing field items.
3) Teams will be assigned to the tournament during the one-week registration time. Hosts agree to accept these teams. Hosts will receive a portion of the registration fees.
4) Hosts recruit local volunteers to help with event. The key volunteers will attend a multi-day workshop in August in Coralville, Iowa.
5) Hosts will be required to provide food for volunteers at event.

6) Host teams receive an automatic bid to the next level of competition.

If you are interested in hosting either a workshop, scrimmage or qualifier, complete the Host Event Form.

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4. Save the Date: Coach & Volunteer workshop August 5-9, 2013

In August, 2013, we are planning a multi-day workshop for coaches and volunteers.

• Location: Marriott Hotel, Coralville, Iowa
• Date: August 5-9, 2013 We may be staggering sessions, but please hold this week on your calendar.
• Who should attend: The coaches/mentors who were new to FTC for 2012-2013 and rookie coaches for 2013-2014. Also key volunteers of the organizations who will be hosting qualifiers. These folks include: Field Tech Advisor - FTA;Head Referee;Judge Advisor;Lead Inspector;Scorekeeper;Volunteer Coordinator; and Event Coordinator
• Cost: We are trying to get some corporations to fund the conference and/or pay stipends to teachers who attend. However, please plan on finding your own lodging accommodations.
• Registration will be open on May 15, 2013. You will be able to find it on the FTC-Iowa website.

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5. Changes for Method of Payment beginning 2013-2014.

To help you plan ahead - For the 2013-2014 FTC Season, we will only be accepting credit cards. We will no longer be able to invoice schools/organizations for the tournament registration fees.

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Thank you all!
Rebecca

FTC-Iowa: Changes are Underway

Wow! What a season for "Ring It Up!" All of the FTC teams, coaches, mentors and volunteers should be very proud of an awesome season.

Some Iowa stats:

• 135 registered FTC Teams -- that's over double from last year!
• 11 Qualifying Tournaments -- 2 were "double-doubles" and two were on the same day but 10 miles apart.
• Nearly 1,350 students impacted through FTC in Iowa
• Over 350 Iowa volunteers contributed to one or more events during the "Ring It Up" Season.

There are many changes for the 2013-2014 Season, so please read the following very carefully.

1. Light Up! Iowa Initiative
2. 2013-2014 Tournament Implementation: League Play
3. FTC Iowa STEM Scale-Up for 2013-2014
4. Administrative Changes for FTC-Iowa
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1. Light Up! Iowa Initiative
Now that the competition season is over, students and coaches are probably wondering "What can we do during the off-season?" Build the relationships with companies and organizations in your community – like your dentist/doctor offices, grocery stores, hardware store, banks, auto repair shops, or any organization you may have a personal relationship with. 

• Build the relationship and promote FIRST.
• Connect the folks in community with FIRST.
• Tell them about your experiences and what you’ve been able to accomplish.
• Show them your robot.  Let them drive your robot.
• Sustain your team.

Over the past few months, we’ve been working with the folks at Rockwell Collins and FIRST to develop an initiative called Light Up! Iowa. The overall goal is to empower and equip the teams with the resources so they can make the connections within their community.

Light UP! Iowa – the first of its kind - will allow teams to access an online packet. This packet will give students and coaches a step-by-step guide to help teams seek and secure outside support. This packet includes tips and best practices of how to ask for support, a list of recommended sponsorship levels, and instructions of how to properly acknowledge the support when its been received.  

In addition to the online packet, with the support from Rockwell Collins, a case of FIRST LED light bulbs will be sent to every registered FTC team in Iowa.

Teams will be asked to take the light bulbs, as well as a marketing packet and use their personal contacts and to promote FIRST.

Spread the word. Sustain your team.
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2. 2013-2014 Tournament Implementation: League Play
For the 2013-2014 FTC Season, we will be implementing a new form of tournament style: League Play!  Although the exact details have not been determined, a few things that will be different:

• Events (a.k.a. Meets) will only be a few hours long -- not necessarily on an entire Saturday.
• Teams will be required to attend/compete in at least two meets.
• Meets are coordinated by teams for teams. Teams will be responsible for doing their own inspections -- either self inspection or other teams co-inspecting.

As for the boundaries of the leagues (which teams will be in which leagues), the tournament advancement (qualifiers or FTC-Iowa Championship) and the role of judging (via video submission and evaluated online) -- all of that will be finalized in the next few weeks/months. Stay tuned!
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3. FTC Iowa STEM Scale-Up for 2013-2014
On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 the Scale-Up programs for 2013-2014 were announced. FTC did not apply to be a scale-up for 2013-2014 for several reasons:
A) New Tournament Implementation: League Play -- there are a lot of things that need to be determined for next year and we will be using the number of ~200 teams. If we were to double to over 300 teams, it will be very difficult to implement League Play.
B) Administrative changes -- see item #4.

Will our 2012-2013 Scale-Up Funds be carried over to next season? Since October, 2012, we have communicated that the Scale-Up funds would not be carried over to next season. It was encouraged that your team spend 100% of the funds. Hopefully your team has purchased enough extra robot parts, a laptop, a router, and field equipment to be able eliminate many of the expenses for next year.

(Teams have until March 10th to submit receipts. If you need ideas on what to spend your funds on, please visit: FTC STEM Scale-Up website.)

With each team receiving a field perimeter and tiles, teams are prepared to host events (meets, workshops, scrimmages, etc) and introduce their community - and the younger students - to FTC. Be creative.

Will Rockwell Collins continue their support of FTC? Yes. They will still continue to fund rookie teams for 2013-2014 with a robot kit and 2nd year "returning teams" (rookies during 2012-2013 "Ring It Up") with the $275 FIRST Registration Fee. More information about this will be coming out in early summer.
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4. Administrative Changes for FTC-Iowa

Please read the special message from Rebecca Whitaker, FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner.

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

New FTC-Iowa Website | Kick-Off Information | STEM Scale-Up

Hello, FTC-Iowa Volunteers, Teams & Coaches:
This note contains some important, yet very exciting, information. Please read all items very carefully. Also, please distribute the information to any interested parties (parents, colleagues, school administrators, etc.)

1. NEW! FTC-Iowa Website!
 Announcing...the FTC-Iowa has a new website!!!

Please change ALL bookmarks, shortcuts, links, etc to the following page:
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/future-students/k-12/first-tech-challenge

This new site has all of the upcoming events, funding ideas, software/hardware resources, game/program information, and even a page with awesome videos. Check it out.
As always, we are on Facebook (FTC Iowa), Twitter (ftc_iowa), G+ (ftc.iowa), and the blog (http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/)

(The Google Site has been, or will be shortly, taken down.)

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2. Kick-Off Celebration: Saturday, Sept. 8
The FTC-Iowa Kick-Off Celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City, Iowa. Please note the change of location as the event has grown beyond the original anticipated capacity.

The 2012-2013 FTC-Iowa Kick-Off Celebration will now be at the Iowa Memorial Union, in Iowa City.

The basic agenda is as follows:
9:00am-10am: Workshops
10:00am-11:30am: Keynote addresses
11:30am-12:30pm: Game Reveal

A more detailed agenda will be distributed prior to the event.

A few things:
1) Iowa City will also be the host to the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game. Since parking will be a commodity, we encourage the following: a) teams carpool as much as possible; b) arrive early c) and avoid using Melrose Ave in Iowa City and Hwy 6 through Coralville. The University of Iowa Parking and Transportation Department is trying to work out a parking solution for us, but please be patient, remember the Gracious Professionalism, and allocate extra time to get to the Iowa Memorial Union.

2) The FTC-Iowa Kick-Off will conclude prior to the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game kick-off.

3) We are requesting RSVPs. (If you've previously registered, we are asking for you to register again.) If you have not registered, this is the time to do so. Click here to register.

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3. STEM Scale-Up Applications
As announced in July, FTC was selected, through a tough competitive process, as one of the 12 STEM Scale-Up programs through the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. For FTC to be recognized as a scale-up program is a great accomplishment. Thank you to those folks who wrote a letter of support for FTC. Your efforts, through the letter, really contributed to a solid and well-rounded application.

Schools, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, 4H Clubs, non-profits, etc. (known as Local Education Agencies, or LEA) which are located within IOWA, can now apply for Scale-Up funding for FTC. The program descriptions and a map of the STEM regions can be found at www.iowastem.org

Click here to access the application to apply for Scale-Up Funds.


A few things to keep in mind:

• The applying LEA must be in Iowa.
• Application Deadline is Sept. 14. If you don't apply by that date, you may not be able to reapply. Award notifications will be distributed no later than Oct. 1.
• The idea is for FTC to be scaled up. So, if you are a rookie team for the 2012-2013 FTC Season, apply.
• Teams who have participated in previous years will receive high marks if they: are from a rural or urban location; have a high student population with FRL; are a non-profit organization and are not affiliated with a school; have teams that are ethnically and/or gender diverse; incorporates outside partners or mentor, like a who helps your team; serves as a mentor for teams; have participated in public engagement/outreach to spread the word about FTC. If you are a returning FTC team and are unclear as to whether or not you should apply, feel free to ask.
• If you know of a LEA who is "somewhat" interested in FTC but are hesitant because of the costs, this will give them a great reason to apply. It is ok if a team is not registered and signed up prior to Kick-Off on Sept. 8th.
  
• FTC needs 100 teams -- so spread the word!

Again, this is a HUGE accomplishment for the FTC programs, so we hope all of you can spread the word and apply!

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Thank you and hope to see you on Sept. 8th in Iowa City.

Exciting news for FTC-Iowa | Upcoming Events | Call to host an FTC event | 2012-2013 Qualifiers

What a busy summer! Lots of important information to share, so please read through all of the items. (There are a lot of links, so please save this note so you can refer to the links in the future.)

1. Exciting news for FTC-Iowa

2. Upcoming Events -- Mark Your Calendar
a) Kick-Off Celebration
b) Call to host a 2012-2013 FTC Event
c) 2012-2013 Qualifier Tournaments

3. Changes for 2012-2013

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1 Exciting news for FTC-IowaOn Monday, July 16, the FTC program was selected as one of the State of Iowa Scale-Up Programs! This is HUGE!  (Thank you to all of you who wrote letters of endorsement/support for the Scale-Up application.)

What does being a scale-up mean? To put it simply, ALL students of Iowa will have access to FTC. ALL Regions of Iowa, (regardless of location, population density, district size, etc.) will be promoting FTC, and there will be financial assistance to help with the expansion of FTC. (More details to come soon!)

The hard work of getting to be recognized is over. Now, we NEED YOUR HELP as we recruit more rookie teams. Please promote FTC in your neighboring communities and school districts. Spread the word of FTC - Recruit more teams, volunteers, mentors, etc. We need to get 100 teams by Sept. 8th.

Resources for teams to get started:

• Rockwell Collins grants are still open. New teams, or teams who were rookies last season, can still apply. Complete the Rockwell Collins grant application.
  
• FTC Team Resources 
• FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner (ftc.iowa@gmail.com) -- Please if you know of anyone who is interested, encourage them to email us.
• YOU! Current teams, volunteers and supporters are THE BEST way to promote and support FTC.

Also, if you haven't already done so, please register your team via TIMS.

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2. Upcoming Events -- Mark Your Calendar!!
The plans for the 2012-2013 FTC Season are well-under way. We have several events already scheduled on the books.

a) Kick-Off Celebration
 The 2012-2013 FTC Season will be Kicked-Off on Saturday, Sept. 8th at Vinton-Shellsburg High School (210 W. 21st Street, Vinton, Iowa). Similar to previous years, we will be having workshops in the morning (10am-12noon), Lunch (12noon-1pm), and then the Game Reveal. We do ask that all interested attendees to please register.

b) Call to host 2012-2013 FTC Events
We are currently seeking venues who are willing to host events (scrimmages, workshops) for the 2012-2013 FTC Season. Thank you to those who have already applied to host an event! If you are interested in hosting an event, please complete the 2012-2013 FTC Host Event form.
The form will ask for up to five potential dates, desired time, capacity, a lunch plan, and local volunteers.

c) 2012-2013 Qualifier Tournaments
Qualifier Tournament for the 2012-2013 Season are set! You can find a list of the Qualifiers on the FIRST Website -- click on "What FIRST Teams & Events are In My Area" -- narrow the search to "FTC", "Events", and "Iowa".

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3. Changes for 2012-2013A few changes for the 2012-2013 FTC Season:a) Many events will be on the same day. This includes workshops, scrimmages and qualifiers. The idea behind this is so we can have many events throughout the state to serve as many teams.

b) Remote Mentoring.
To help support and grow teams in all areas of Iowa, we have decided to implement on the concept of remote mentoring. Teams will be able to get help via the new technology of Google+ Hangouts. (Attached is a pdf to learn more about how to get started with Google Hangouts.) Please keep in mind, Google+ Hangouts is a new technology, so there may be some glitches. If you are interested or in need of remote mentoring, please fill out the Remote Mentor form.

c) Videos for Judges.
In order for the judges to learn more about the teams, we are encouraging teams to submit a 2 minute video one week prior to the qualifiers they plan to attend. Although this is not required (highly encouraged) for teams at the qualifiers, it will be required for any team who advances to the FTC-Iowa Championship. Benefits: Judges will learn more about the teams prior to the event; Teams will have the opportunity to put anything they want to in the video;  Reduces the "gosh, I wish we would have said/done this..."; Allows teams to show their creativity, their outreach, etc. Yes, we understand teams are usually stressed and worried about the function of the robot in the days/weeks before the competition, but the video will be a tremendous help at the competitions.

The process is still being finalized, but more than likely teams will be asked to upload videos to YouTube. Teams will have the opportunity to make the video private or public.

Thank you all and have a fantastic summer!

Until Kick-Off,
The FTC-Iowa team

Just a quick note:

1. World Championship Wrap-Up
At the end of April, the FTC World Championships were held in St. Louis. Feel free to view some of the pictures, and see if you recognize anyone or any teams. http://georgemarchant.zenfolio.com/2012firstchampionshipall or check out the FIRST World YouTube Channel for Wrap-Up: http://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTWorldTube

Congratulations, Iowa teams #458, #3549, #3550, #5466 on a job well done! 


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2. Rockwell Collins Team Grants
Rockwell Collins has graciously agreed to help support FTC teams starting up, or who were rookie teams during the 2011-2012 Season, via team grants.

These grants are specifically targeted for the rookie teams (new to FTC for the 2012-2013 season) or returning teams (rookies during the 2011-2012 season). Grants amounts can range to cover the FIRST Registration cost or the purchase of the kit-of-parts. Please apply early, as there are a limited number of these grants.

Eligible teams will agree to the following:

• Teams must be located in Iowa;
• Teams must have been rookies during the 2011-2012 season (team numbers with 5xxx) or will be rookie teams during the 2012-2013 Season;
• Rockwell will only sponsor two teams per location;
• Teams consist of 5-10 team members between the ages of 14-18;
• Teams will meet weekly throughout the season;
• Coaches will participate in a training session;
• Teams will participate in at least one tournament, either a qualifier or a championship event; and
• Coach will be responsible for managing the team and participating in a post-season evaluation.

For more information, including how to apply for a grant, please visit: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Our_Company/Corporate_Responsibility/Community_Overview/FIRST/FIRST_Grants.aspx

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3. Request to Host Events

Starting with the 2012-2013 Season, FTC-Iowa would like to offer as many events in a variety of communities throughout Iowa. If you are interested in hosting an event (workshop, scrimmage or skills driving event), we invite you to complete the form at: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_03eLszkMM3vbXbC

A few things to keep in mind: 1) Please complete this form before June 1, 2012; 2) The locations of the Qualifier Tournaments have already been selected and they will begin Nov. 3rd; and 3) All scrimmage/workshop events will need to be held before Nov. 20, 2012.

Save the Date: FTC Kick-Off Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, in Vinton. More information, including times, will be released at a later date. (See attached invitation)
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4. 2012-2013 Registration is Open
Starting today, May 9, 2012, (at 12 noon EST) teams can register for the 2012-2013 FTC Season. HOWEVER, if you plan to apply for a Rockwell Collins Returning team grant, do not register with FIRST until you hear about the status of your application (typically every Friday), as you need to enter a code to activate your grant status. If you do not plan to get a Rockwell Collins grant, or if you coach a team not eligible for the Rockwell Collins grant, go ahead and register at www.usfirst.org

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5. MATRIX System
Beginning the 2012-2013 Season, teams will now have the option to integrate/use the new approved MATRIX system. Robots will be able to use TETRIX parts and MATRIX parts. For more information, please visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/ftc-expands-options-to-matrix-robotics-system


Have a great summer and we look forward to working with you for the 2012-2013 FTC Season.

Letter of Endorsement for FTC | Registration for 2012/2013 Season | Rockwell Collins Grants | FIRST World Championship | Students attending Univ. of Iowa

Hello, Coaches:

Hope things are going well for you! We have a few brief items

1. Seeking letters of endorsement for FTC
2. Registration for 2012/2013 FTC Season
3. Rockwell Collins grants
4. FIRST World Championship
5. Any of your students attending the Univ. of Iowa for Fall 2012?
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1. Seeking letters of endorsement for FTC
Recently the Governor's Office has put forth an initiative and allocate funding to support STEM education on a Statewide level. The Governor's STEM Advisory Council (http://iowastem.gov/) has been established and part of their responsibilities is to divide funding to several key "Scale-Up" projects. Definition of Scale-up can be found at: http://www.iowamathscience.org/scale

NEED YOUR HELP!
We are going to be submitting FTC as a potential Scale-Up program. However, we need letters of endorsement from you, as a coach, mentor, or volunteer.
Please have the letter of endorsement to cover any or all of the following:

• What FTC has done for the students on your team. (Confidence booster, challenge students to think "out-of the box", connectivity with local business/industries, etc.)
• How participating in FTC applies to the 21st Century Skills (http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2089&Itemid=2683)
  There are six topics for the 21st Century skills, so a paragraph on any or one of these topics would be great!
• Any other information about the impacts FTC in your community or school

Please address the letters to Rebecca Whitaker, FTC-Iowa Affiliate Partner, College of Engineering, 3124 Seamans Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Letters should be submitted electronically (send them to this email address) by Friday, May 4th.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. THANK YOU!
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2. Mark your Calendar! Registration for the 2012/2013 FTC Season and Kick-Off
Teams will be able to register for the 2012/2013 FTC Season starting Wednesday, May 9th. At that time, teams will be able to sign into TIMS and register for the 2012/2013 FTC Season. Kick-Off will be on Saturday, Sept. 8th -- and similar to this season, the game, the scoring element(s) and field will be revealed during Kick-Off. year.

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3. Rockwell Collins Grants
Beginning April 16th, Rockwell Collins grants applications will be available to FTC teams. This year, Rockwell will be supporting rookie teams for the 2012/2013 season as well as teams who were rookie teams during  2011/2012 season. A notice will go out to teams once those grant applications are open. If you know of any potential rookie teams, please let them know of this funding.
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4. FIRST World Championships
Wishing FTC-Iowa teams #458 Activate Go! Initiative; #3549 Classified; #3550 Beta; and #5466 Combustible Lemons huge success during the FIRST World Championships later this month. If you are not able to make it to St. Louis, please watch the action via the live broadcast. More information can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/first-championship
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5. Any of your students attending the Univ. of Iowa for Fall 2012?
The College of Engineering at The University of Iowa would like to know which of your FTC students will be enrolling at the Univ. of Iowa for the Fall 2012. There are part-time and work-study positions available to FTC Alumni. Also, maybe they can be the next referee / inspector / judge, etc.

FTC-Iowa: Championship 2011-2012

This past weekend was the FTC-Iowa Championship for the 2011-2013 Bowled Over Season. 
What an experience!

This event was held at the Iowa Memorial Union, in Iowa City Iowa.  We had 32 teams competing for a chance to be invited to the FTC World Championship in St. Louis in April. This was a very exciting tournament!!
 
Award Winners
Promote Award: #3550, Beta, West Des Moines
Think Award: Team #3549, Classified, Mt. Vernon Schools, Mt. Vernon
Rockwell Collins Innovate Award: Team #5466, Combustible Lemons, West High, Davenport
PTC Design Award: #458, Activate Go! Initiative, Mt. Vernon Schools, Mt. Vernon
Connect Award: Team #5084, BET, ITCOM, Cedar Rapids
Motivate Award: Team #3609, Polar Technics, North High School, Des Moines
Inspire Award: Team #3550, Beta, West Des Moines

Teams Who Advance (according to page 29 of the Bowled Over Game Manual)

1. Host Team: none
2. Inspire Award Winner: Team #3550, Beta, West Des Moines
3. Winning Alliance Captain: Team #458, Activate Go! Initiative, Mt. Vernon
4. 2nd Place Inspire Award Winner: Team #3549, Classified, Mt. Vernon

In summary, Teams #3550, #458 and #3549 will be invited to the FTC World Championship in April! Congratulations!


UStream
During the day, we live broadcasted the event via UStream. You can watch some of the videos of the matches, by visiting the site at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/state-championship


Interesting facts about the UStream: There were 227 Unique Viewers. Total viewing time: 249 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds. Each visitor watched for an average of 30 minutes. Cool stuff!!
Congratulations to all of the teams! 
Fun facts:

• Five matches had scores 300+ points!
• Nine matches had scores above 200-299 points!
• 19 matches had scores over 100-199 points!
• 32 teams competed, all teams had passed software and hardware inspection prior to opening ceremonies.
• We had three team alliances, so four teams advanced to the semi-final and final matches.
• Each team competed in 6 matches.
• Over 110 volunteers provided their time to make this day a great event! Thank you, Katie Mitchell and Andrew Bennett for coordinating all of the volunteers!

FTC-Qualifier Summary (02-04-2012) "Event Formally Known as the Blair Tournament"

This past weekend, was the final FTC-Iowa Qualifier for the 2011-2013 Bowled Over Season. What an experience! The event was scheduled to be in Blair, Nebraska, but due to inclement weather, it was moved to North High School in Des Moines. Check out the blog entry from Feb. 4, 2012: An FTC Adventure & Gracious Professionalism at its BEST!  Huge thank you to Team #3609 of North High School in Des Moines.
 
Award Winners
Think Award: Team #3550,  Beta, West Des Moines Schools, West Des Moines
Rockwell Collins Innovate Award: Team #5149, Robota, Union School District, LaPorte City
PTC Design Award: Team #4365, Robo Maroons, Dowling High School, Des Moines
Connect Award: Team #5084, BET, ITCOM, Cedar Rapids
Motivate Award: Team #5489, INTENTALO, Science Bound, Ames
Inspire Award: Team #3609, Polar Technics, North High School, Des Moines

Teams Who Advance (according to page 29 of the Bowled Over Game Manual)

1. Host Team: #3609, Polar Technics, North High School, Des Moines
2. Inspire Award Winner: Team #3609 - however, they received an invitation for being the host site.
3. Winning Alliance Captain: Team #5149, Robota, Union School District, LaPorte City
4. Inspire Award 2nd Place Winner: #3550 - however, they received an invitation to advance from a previous event.
5. Winning Alliance, 1st team selected - #3550 - however, they received an invitation to advance from a previous event.
6. Inspire Award 3rd Place Winner: #5489 - INTENTALO, Science Bound, Ames
7. Winning Alliance, 2nd Team selected - no team
8. Think Award Winner: #3550 - however, they received an invitation to advance from a previous event.
9. Finalist Alliance Captain: #3609 - however, they were the host site.
10. Connect Award Winner: #5084 - BET, ITCOM, Cedar Rapids

In summary, Teams #3609, #5149, #5489, #5084 will be invited to the FTC-Iowa Championship in February! Congratulations!



The FTC-Iowa team decided to expand the capacity of the FTC-Iowa Championship. This would allow us to invite four teams who could not compete at the new location in Des Moines. We did a random drawing, and those teams selected were:

#3517 - TechnoMafia, West High School, Sioux City
#4329 - The Wolfpack, Oelwein High School, Oelwein
#5445 - Upward Bound, Waterloo
#5611 - RoboBears, 4H Club, Blair, NE

Congratulations to all of the teams! 
Fun facts:

• Seven matches were over 100 points!
• One match ended in a tie (69-69)
• 8 teams competed, all teams had passed software and hardware inspection prior to opening ceremonies. (Received special permission from FIRST to have this be an official qualifier tournament.)
• All teams were selected during alliance selection.
• Teams were given 5 minutes "match-recovery" time, since many teams were competing in back-to-back matches.
• Each team competed in 6 matches. 
• Average match time was 8.91 minutes. 
• The picture shows a robot who lifted the create with one racquetball. However, the referees determined the majority of racquetball was not in the create - as it was balancing on the robot, so the elevation of the create did not count.
• Thank you to the wonderful high school students, faculty and administration at North High School. 
• Thank you, John Deere, for providing excellent volunteers on a very short notice.
• A Huge Thank you to Beta, Team #3550, who helped move the event to a new venue.

*Also, we would like to give a huge shout-out to the FTC-Iowa Volunteers who were along for the adventure of moving the event. Shaan Amin, Ben Dattilo, David Dellsperger, Dan Edwards, Carl Gloe, Jerry Lalor, Andy Marshall, Craig Martinson, and Leon Turner. Without these dedicated folks, we would have not been successful in moving the event to a different location. THANK YOU!

Next FTC-Iowa event: The Championship! Look for more information to come!

An FTC Adventure & Gracious Professionalism at its Best!

Today (Feb. 4) was supposed to be the final FTC-Iowa Qualifier in Blair, NE. But instead, we had a great FTC Adventure and experienced Gracious Professionalism at its finest.

A team of the most fantastic FTC volunteers (Dan Edwards, Carl Gloe, Jerry Lalor, Andy Marshall, Craig Martinson and Rebecca Whitaker) traveled from Iowa City to Omaha, NE - about 250 miles west - on Friday morning. In the early afternoon we, along with FTC team #3550, had a speaking engagement at St. Wenceslaus School in which we presented to 400 students about FIRST.

After the presentation, around 2pm, we received a call from the Event Coordinator for the Blair event. Due to some projected severe weather, the venue decided to cancel all events for the weekend. This not only included the FTC-Iowa Qualifier, but also a high school sporting event.

We spent the next half hour investigating other potential venues and were unsuccessful.  We had to cancel the event. We felt deflated. We were sad/disappointed/bummed, etc. These teams had worked so hard on their robots and we couldn't do anything for them. By 2:45pm, we had sent an email and had called the teams and coaches. The volunteers were notified through appropriate channels (Judge Advisor notified the judges, Head Referee notified the refs, etc.). Additionally, we had to cancel our lodging arrangements as well as catering services for the event. Notifying the teams and volunteers was one of THE of the worst moments we have had all season.

Event was canceled.

We couldn't let the disappointment get to us. We still had an important meeting with the school administrators and teachers, at St. Wenceslaus about the importance of FIRST and the concept of Gracious Professionalism.

Thanks to the wonderful work and quick thinking of Emmaly Burkland, coach of Beta #3550, and Bryan Butcher, coach of #3609, Des Moines North High School we had an offer on the table. Des Moines North High School's facility was willing to be our surrogate host. We said yes! We were moving the event - about 120 miles east of Omaha, NE.

Time to recruit the volunteers! Where do you go when you need volunteers on a very short notice? John Deere! Within 30 minutes, we had 10 previously experienced FTC judges and volunteers. (We had several Rockwell Collins folks already lined up.) Team #3550 also provided some volunteers and we were ready to roll.

Event is back on!

Time to re-notify the teams! We understood if teams weren't going to be able to make it, but we wanted to give an opportunity for those that were able to make it. By 5pm, all the teams were contacted, again!

Gracious Professionalism at its BEST.

We cannot express the amount of gratitude to the administration at North High. Team #3609, the students and staff at North, did a fantastic job of planning a tournament (from notification to start of opening ceremonies) within 16 hours. It was amazing. They saved the day! The Booster Club was ready, the custodial service was ready, and we were going to have this event! Although not all of the teams could make the switch to Des Moines (their schools out homes also may have received a lot of snow), we had some very excited teams who were glad to make the switch! 

In the spirit of Gracious Professionalism, we decided to advance four teams from those who could attend the competition at Des Moines North, and four teams who could not. We will be having a 32-team competition in Iowa City on Feb. 25th.

In summary, the event went very well.  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

This past weekend, Team #4144, Engineer Imagineer, with collaboration from Hills Community College, hosted fantastic FTC-Iowa Qualifier.
 
Award Winners
Think Award: Team #4144,  Engineer Imagineer, Girl Scouts from Ottumwa
Rockwell Collins Innovate Award: Team #3608, Oskaloosa High Team #1, Oskaloosa
PTC Design Award: Team #5253, Decepticons, Hudson High, Hudson
Connect Award: Team #5340, Warriors, Waukee High, Waukiee
Motivate Award: Team #5047, Bionic Bulldogs, Ottumwa High, Ottumwa
Against The Odds (Coaches Award): #4237, Central Lee Robotics, Central Lee HS, Donnellson
Inspire Award: Team #4156, Wildcat Robotics, Central City HS, Central City

Teams Who Advance (according to page 29 of the Bowled Over Game Manual)

1. Host Team: #4144, Engineer Imagineer, Ottumwa
2. Inspire Award Winner: Team #4156, Wildcat Robotics, Central City, Iowa
3. Winning Alliance Captain: Team #3608, Train, Oskaloosa HS, Oskaloosa
4. Inspire Award 2nd Place Winner: #3608 - however, they received an invitation to advance from previous criteria.
5. Winning Alliance, 1st team selected - #4443 - Oskaloosa HS, Oskaloosa

In summary, Teams #4144, #4156, #3608, and #4443 will be invited to the FTC-Iowa Championship in February!

Media Reports from the day:
"Robotics Reign Supreme During FTC Qualifier Event", Ottumwa Courier, Jan. 30, 2012

Congratulations to all of the teams!

Fun facts:

• One match was over 200 points!
• Twelve matches were over 100 points!
• 18 teams competed, all teams had passed software and hardware inspection prior to opening ceremonies.
• Each team competed in 6 matches. 
• Average match time was 7.04 minutes. 
• The picture shows a robot, tipped on its side, but still able to raise the create!
• A HUGE Thank you to the wonderful volunteers, including high school students, college students, recent college graduates, professionals, and retirees. Thank you!

Thank you to Jeff Henderson of Team #4144 for being the Event Organizer. Also, thank you, Hills Community College for hosting this event!