Control System Manual

Some group needs to learn about this control system, become experts,  and report back.

Pool Noodles

We need some now. Anyone have them? It sounds like they are difficult to find in the winter.

FIRST Choice Parts

FIRST Choice

FIRST Choice Ordering Process

Things in our KoP (Kit of Parts)

The variations between the 2011 Rookie and Veteran Kits of Parts are listed below.  (Please note, not every item in the Kit of Parts is listed here, just the items veteran teams may need to reuse for the 2011 season.)  The table includes source information in case your team decides it needs additional or replacement parts.  For more detailed information about the parts listed below (part numbers, photos, etc), please refer to the 2010 Kit of Parts Checklist 

Remember, we discourage teams from purchasing items, especially high ticket ones, before Kickoff as the official game rules may significantly influence team purchasing decisions.  The one exception is buy your pool noodles now.

No Programming Class This Weekend

The FRC programming workshop that was scheduled for December 18th has been moved to January 15th. Please be sure everyone who might be planning on attending this weekend is informed about this!

More Stuff

Greetings Teams:

We are pleased to share with you the following announcement from PTC, The Product Development Company^®, regarding this season’s software and Kickoff sponsorship!

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PTC (www.ptc.com), The Product Development Company^® and a Crown Supplier to the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^®), is pleased to announce that once again it will sponsor this season’s Kickoff, and teams with software.
The following software products are available for FREE to each and every FRC team!

• Creo Elements/Pro (formerly called Pro/ENGINEER), PTC’s integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software
• Mathcad, PTC’s Engineering Calculation software
• Windchill, PTC’s Collaboration and Data Management software
• Creo Elements/View (formerly called Productview), PTC’s Visual Collaboration software

PTC is offering these solutions to help students design their robots and collaborate more effectively as a team.  By doing so, PTC is supporting the mission of FIRST and encouraging the next generation of technological thinkers to gain access to technology education and innovative skills for the future.
Visit the FIRST Getting Started guide to learn more about the software and how to access it.

Creo Announcement

On October 28, 2010, we launched Creo,^TM a new family of design software, built to solve chronic problems that have long plagued companies that use CAD software.  We are also announcing the rebranding of our existing, market-leading products, including Pro/ENGINEER. In order to unify the exciting future of design software with the existing elements from which Creo was derived, the existing brands will have new names: Pro/ENGINEER has been renamed Creo Elements/Pro and Productview has been renamed Creo Elements/View. There is no name change to Windchill or Mathcad.

For this season, there is no impact on the software you use, with the exception of a name change. For next season, we are expecting that the Creo technologies will be available to all FIRST teams.

Lastly, please take 2 minutes to complete the following survey, and you will be entered into a random drawing for an Apple I Touch: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/first_teamsurvey

Please contact our FIRST support team at firstsupport@ptc.com with any questions.

Good luck this season!

Math/Science Fair at Sacajewea

Hi Karl-

My name is Holly Herbison, and I am on the Science/Math Fair committee for Sacajawea Elementary School. I heard through the grapevine that you are the advisor for a robotics club? If this is true, I was wondering if some of your students would be willing to have a display/put on a demonstration at our Fair. It would be a great opportunity for some service learning type hours, if that sort-of thing is required at Hale. 

The Fair is on the evening of February 17th (Thursday), and it is from 7-8:30. Please let me know if this is a possibility, or if you are NOT the robotics advisor, perhaps you could point me in the right direction! Thank you so much-

Holly Herbison

Read and Take Action if you want to be on the team!

Currently only Betty Vogeley and Matt Winglee are student members of the team. If you do not complete your online application and HAVE YOUR PARENTS GO TO THEIR EMAIL AND APPROVE YOU BEING PART OF THE TEAM YOU WILL NOT BE SIGNED UP. Do it now! This must be complete by Dec. 15th. Stay home on Thursday if you cannot get this done by Wednesday night.

Tobin,
you need to complete the alternate contact info, too.

Email From FRC. Homework: Read to discuss Thursday.

Greetings Rookies:

Prepare for Kickoff:
If your team is attending a Kickoff, now is a good time to make sure your team is ready. 

Everyone attending a FRC Kickoff must provide a signed Consent and Release form in order to enter.  (For students under 18 the form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.) You also need to bring a printout of your team roster from TIMS.  Don’t arrive without one.  Go to http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=8128 to view information regarding the Consent and Release form process.

Before you go, discuss your team’s plan for Kickoff with everyone who will be attending.   
·         Who will download the encrypted game manual before Kickoff?
·         How will everyone get there?
·         Does your school require permission slips from participating students?  Or proof of insurance from drivers?
·         If your local Kickoff is hosting a Robot Quick Build Workshop, have you signed up?
·         How will team members who are not attending Kickoff view the live broadcast?
·         Who will sign the team in at the Kickoff and sign for the kit of parts?  (Must be an adult mentor)
·         Does your team have access to a dolly or cart to facilitate picking up the kit?
·         Do you have a way to get the kit home?  - A kit of parts will fill most car trunks. 
·         Where and when will your team meet after Kickoff to discuss the game?
·         Who is responsible for inventorying the kit of parts once you get it back to your team’s workspace?
·         Who will complete the replacement parts section in TIMS before the deadline?

Understand Bag and Tag:
All teams MUST stop work on their robot on Robot ship day Tuesday February, 22nd. 

If your team is attending a Bag and Tag event (list here http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=18644 ) you will need to place your robot in the bag provided and complete a robot lock up form.  You must then arrange to transport the bagged robot to the event yourself.  If you believe you have no alternative than to ship your robot to a bag and tag event, the deadline to request special consideration by contacting frcteams@usfirst.org  is this Wednesday, December 15, 2010.  Everything you need to know is included in Section 5 of the Game Manual http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=452

If you are attending a traditional event (one that is not Bag and Tag), you will need to place your robot in a shipping crate (directions here http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2011_Assets/Shipping%20Crate%20Construction.pdf) and ship your robot via FedEx.  Everything you need to know is included in Section 5 of the Game Manual http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=452

Save yourself some trouble:
Rookie teams from last year suggest you secure a meeting place, obtain tools and start meeting with your team now.  Once the game is revealed, you won’t have time to think about anything other than design and build.   More details are available in the FRC Handbook. http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FRC/Team_Resources/FRC Handbook.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Team Support at frcteams@usfirst.org or 1-800-871-8326, “0” –  they are eager to help you during this rookie season!

Go Rookies!

FRC Team Support
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
200 Bedford Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: (603) 666-3906  Fax: (603) 666-3907
http://www.usfirst.org/

Email from FRC

Greeting Teams:

Attending a Bag & Tag Event this season?  Make sure you are familiar with the process!  You can find a comprehensive guide for Robot Transportation in Section 5 of the FRC Competition Manual, and we’ve also provided further details about transporting your robot to a Bag and Tag event here: http://tinyurl.com/285chyu.

Senior Mentor Call TONIGHT @ 7 PM EST: The next Senior Mentor call will take place tonight, Thursday, December 9^th @ 7 PM EST.  The call topic is Bag and Tag Best Practices, and the call will be hosted by Kathie Kentfield, FIRST Senior Mentor; and Frank Merrick, Deputy Director, FRC.  A call outline, as well as call-in information is available here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=10124.
Critical Deadline Approaching: Does your team need special shipping support for your Bag & Tag event?  If so, you must inform frcteams@usfirst.org by December 15^th.  As a rule, all Bag and Tag teams must bring their robots IN and OUT of their event venue.  If you write in and ask for an exception to this rule, and we decide your team has a good reason for SHIPPING your robot to a Bag and Tag event, we will try to find someone or some place near the event that can accept the delivery of the robot and store it securely until FRC has access to the venue.  Finally, we will try to arrange for the stored robot to be delivered to the event.  As you can imagine, this will take some serious planning to set up, so PLEASE only ask for this “special delivery” option if you ABSOLUTELY need it.  As always, the sooner you let us know, the better!  (Tip: You can typically rent a U-Haul truck for as little as $19.95/day…this could be a great alternative option!)  Thanks for your cooperation.
Looking for more information about your local Kickoff? You can find logistical information about the local Kickoff you will be attending here: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=10406. 
FIRST Choice opens Monday, December 13^th: The FIRST Choice system will open next Monday for “window shopping.”  Teams will not be able to select/order parts until after Kickoff.  For more information about the ordering process, please visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=18619.
Consent and Release Forms: If you haven’t done so already, please consider which 2011 FIRST Consent and Release form your team members will be utilizing this season.  Remember, electronic Consent and Release forms “cover” individuals at all 2011 FIRST competition events (students and their parents access the electronic form in STIMS; adult mentors in TIMS).  If anyone on your team opts to do the hard-copy Consent and Release form, the form must be presented at BOTH the Kickoff event, and your initial Competition event.   Full details on the process can be found at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=8128
Print your Team Roster! No matter which method you choose (electronic or hard-copy), you MUST print off your Team Roster from TIMS and bring it with you to your Kickoff, and your initial Competition event.  To print your Team Roster:

1)    On the Team Summary page, scroll down to the “Student/Roster” field.

2)    Click “View” next to Team Roster.

3)    Click Printable Roster.

4)    If you have any students/mentors who are providing hard-copy forms, please write in their names on the printed roster and attach their consent and release forms.

For more information about the 2011 Consent and Release Form, including FAQ’s and a helpful Process Overview, please visit: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=8128.
Go Teams!

FRC Team Support

FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

200 Bedford Street

Manchester, NH 03101

Phone: (603) 666-3906  Fax: (603) 666-3907

http://www.usfirst.org

Programming Class at UW

Here is a message sent to me last week. I may be able to go on Dec. 18th.

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The University of Washington Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) department will be presenting two, four hour workshops on introductory programming for the FRC Robotics competition December 11th and 18th. The workshops will be presented by current CSE undergraduate students, some of whom have experience as FRC robotics team members within the last year or two, so they've been in your shoes.
We will be teaching the basics of FRC programming using the C++ language. Our sessions will consist of a "lecture" portion and a "lab" portion, along with some light snacks in between and will take place on the University of Washington Seattle campus. Our hope is that you'll walk out of the first session with the basics of C++ and FRC programming down, and that you'll walk out of the second session with a firm enough understanding to write a program for autonomous mode.
For more information on how to register, please visit:


Please register once as a team if more than one person is interested in attending.
We look forward to seeing you on December 11th. Please try to register by this Thursday, Dec. 9th, at 5pm.https://www.cs.washington.edu/diversity/FIRST.html