FTCNJ Tuesday Newsday - June 21 2022 ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
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Note – Only a handful of coaches have registered for June 10th despite the final appeal.
FTCNJ is putting the Coach Caucus on hiatus for a bit. Looking forward to the resumption in September.
Team Leader Caucus … (On Hiatus)
FTCNJ had reached out to Captains and offered a May 27th Caucus. Less than a handful of students registered.
Captains Caucus on hiatus. Looking forward to the resumption in September.
OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES
In-Person Workshops
Kean University has confirmed that FTCNJ may hold the Workshop there again this year … on August 20th.
As discussed at the Coach Caucus and covered in the Survey, the 2nd Workshop will be held after the Sept 10th Kick-Off.
Remote Workshops
Nearly 70% of our responding teams expressed an interest in Remote Workshops …with about ½ willing to contribute/present, if needed.
Of the non-hands-on topics, Fundraising and Outreach Planning were the most popular, followed closely by Team Organization/Communication.
Programming and OnShape also ranked very high, but those topics may be more effectively addressed at the in-person Workshops.
Gathering more input and more planning to take place.
FTCNJ-Driven Outreaches
In addition to Team-driven Outreaches, it is desirable to have events targeted at certain specific geographic areas of NJ.
Nineteen respondents expressed a willingness to assist at FTCNJ-driven Outreaches.
The overwhelming preference is for the last two weekends in July. Awaiting site confirmation.
We know that many teams hold these events during the year and more frequently in the off-season.
There is interest in helping publicize and support these Outreaches, when FTCNJ resources may be available.
A successful Outreach, inspiring more team formation, is great for all.
Upcoming Outreach events … one in Somerset County
· The Somerset effort is being driven by the Cyber-Raptors (#8812) and Cyber-Falcons (#7040)
· The teams will also be demoing their robots at the Somerset County 4-H Fair on Thursday morning August 11th
· Sounds great! Let us know what your team(s) are up to J
Technical Volunteers
Those who were with us last year know that FTCNJ was short-handed on technical volunteers, particularly in the south.
The FTCNJ Committee is considering two initiatives to address this situation.
Adult “Team FTA” Volunteers
Under consideration is a training program to develop more FTA talent within teams.
This will help teams to be more self-sufficient if the shortage of FTA’s cannot be resolved.
Eight of our responding teams have expressed a willingness to help.
We will be gratefully reaching out to them with more info.
Student “FTA Assistant” Volunteers
Under consideration is a training program to develop more FTA Assistant volunteers within the teams.
The goal is to develop a cadre of Student FTA Assistants to assist our FTA volunteers.
Eleven of our responding teams have expressed interest by their student(s). More to come.
Season Plan
We are beginning to construct the season plan now.
Once again there will be 4 Leagues in FTCNJ with each comprised of 2 Conferences of 20-25 teams, organized by county.
Little change in Conferences is anticipated. The only change foreseen at this moment is due to the great team growth in Bergen County. Kudos!
All Bergen County teams will continue to be in the NE Edge League, though some may shift to the Northeast Conference.
As always, teams in can participate in the Meets of either Conference within their League.
POWER Plan Season Team Registration OPEN
Nine teams are already listed for NJ.
11 of the 16 are fully registered; while five more are pending.
10 of the 11 are returning teams … and 1 fully registered rookie, already!
Hoping to see more folks registering soon, as their situation permits.
POWER Plan Season Team Projection …
Thanks to all of the Coaches who have provided feedback on re-registering, thus far.
We have heard from about half of our teams. The input is really appreciated. Pursuing others J
Between the fully registered teams and those confirming their intent to register, the current projection is 95 teams already.
That’s a pretty good place to be on June 21st, particularly since quite a few “expected back” teams have yet to respond.
92% of respondents are confirming return!
Our goal is to close in on the 200 team community that we had pre-pandemic. Will keep you posted.
FTCNJ is anticipating a return to in-person Kick-Off Events this year.
Livingston High School has confirmed as the site for the Northern NJ Kick-Off event on September 10th !
Per usual, the morning will include a helpful FTCNJ Orientation Program, as well as a number of breakout sessions.
The Game Reveal will be at noon, followed by Q&A, and a chance to view the physical field (and receive game element construction tips.)
A Southern NJ Kick-Off is also being planned. Our host is in the final stages of sign-off by their administration.
State Championship – March 12, 2023
The FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held on Sunday, March 12th
That is one week later than the Freight Frenzy Season and will allow us to insert a snow-day weekend (which wasn’t possible last year).
In-Person Judging is anticipated at the State Championship, as well as at League Tournaments.
It is also our goal to have “Practice Judging” at four of the Period #3 Meets; one for each League.
League Tournaments
All eight of the Conference/League Tournaments will take place in February 2023. The Northeast Edge events are set.
The Bergen County Conference League Tournament is Saturday, Feb 25th at Glen Rock HS
The Northeast Conference League Tournament is Sunday, Feb 5th at Bayonne HS
Other events pending.
Meets
Liberty Science Center has just confirmed as site of a Northern League Meet on Saturday, January 7th.
Don Bosco Prep HS has confirmed as site of a Northeast Edge League Meet on Saturday, November 5th.
FTCNJ is again planning six Meet choices per League (3 Saturdays, 3 Sunday). Teams can pick three plus apply for bonus Meets.
Event registration opens on the Monday after Kick Off (e.g., Sept 12th at Noon)
STEM GIRLS: Tech Talks
No additional Tech Talks are planned for during the off-season, however topic ideas are very much welcome.
We look forward to Tech Talks resuming in the Fall, as well as other remote training sessions.
STEM GIRLS: Get Together Zoom (Season Finale) - Accomplished
Congratulations to the FTCNJ “STEM Girls” for another successful season.
Their Season Finale was held June 14th. Thanks to all who attended. Special thanks to Claudine R who facilitated.
The Finale included a review of accomplishments including a Tech Talk, 6 Guest Speakers, monthly Mixers, and more.
Also presented at the event was a nifty Alum Video on “The 1st Year of College”, and ideas for next year were discussed, etc …
We expect to be posting that Alum Video on the STEM Girls page of the FTCNJ website this coming week.
For any girls interested, it’s never too late to join the STEM Girls community!
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfca5j11yjtAW6OJmRzbbwKyrSOrt8a5tty9SojZkwYLJLvCw/viewform
Good Luck at MTI (Maryland Tech Invitational)!
Two of our top New Jersey teams are heading to Maryland soon.
Best wishes for a safe and successful trip to … Team #9889 “Cruise Control” and Team #14481 “Don’t Blink”
Come back safe and happy!
NY Opportunity: FIRST Tech Challenge Coach Position
FTCNJ has been approached by Edgemont Team #11205 and asked to pass along this information.
Edgemont Robotics based in Scarsdale, NY is looking for a coach to guide the team during the 2022-2023 academic year.
FTC experience required. Evening/weekend hours possible. This is a paid position.
Please email vish...@gmail.com or text 1-917-833-8715 for further information (7/30)
Members Seeking Team
FTCNJ has been contacted by the coach of a Bridgewater FLL Team.
The coach reports that a few of their members are aging out of FLL and would like to join an FTC team.
Are there any teams out there in the Bridgewater area that are interested and able to take on such new members?
FLL experience is always a nice plus when bringing on new people.
If your team can help, please respond back to vfras...@aol.com
Our next newsletter will be on June 28th
If you have any questions, comments, or needs as you read this newsletter, simply write back and we’ll be happy to assist.
Making that comment here, rather than embedding it throughout the long newsletter above.
Thanks again for the interest in FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey and being part of our community
Thanks much, Vince Frascella
FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey