FTCNJ Tuesday Newsday - August 30 2022 ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
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Remember that the updates are shown in blue bold text. If you are a weekly reader, you can just quickly scan the BLUE to see what is NEW.
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HEADLINES:
September 10th Kick Off Events ß Registration for either of the two in-person events will be closing soon! Upcoming Events - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
October 1st & 2nd Outreach Event ß FTCNJ has been asked to participate at the “Raritan Valley Science & Technology Showcase” (RVSTS). Details below and in the attachment.
Southern Workshops at Moorestown Friends School (Sept 24th) ß Registration Open. Tracks similar to Aug 20th. Now, EIGHT full-day Tracks for your students!
Quick Links:
KICK-OFF EVENT – Registration Open
COMPETITION LOCATIONS – Confirmed to Date
FIRST & FTC COMMUNITY NEWS
FTCNJ NEWS – STEM Girls, Control Hub Plan
OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES
In-Person Workshops (August 20th at Kean University)
Well over 150 people attended the 7-Track Workshops at Kean University last Saturday.
Saluting our volunteers and teams…
Track #1 – Kathy Rogers and team members of Princeton STEM did a great job honcho’ing Basic Robotics Hardware and Build-a-Bot.
Track #2 – In addition to presenting teams, the Advanced Hardware Track was co-led by Bala K (Cmte Member), Steve W (Enforcers) and David P (RoboStorm)
Track #3 – Chris Kunkel led the Basic Java Track, with troubleshooting assistants: Julia & Daniel (Jdroids), Sunil (Dynabytes) and Sujay (Princeton STEM)
Track #4 - In addition to presenting teams, the Advanced Programming Track was co-led by John M (Cmte Member) and Joe L (Princeton STEM)
Track #5 – Geetha and Krypton Warriors honcho’d this new Blended Topics Track, along with co-Lead Narmada (Cmte Member) and two presentations by the STEM Girls.
Track #6 – Our Kean Venue Host Jim N (Cmte Member) and Pat F (NJ Pgm Delivery Partner) led the discussion of assorted topics in the Coaches and Team Leaders Track.
Track #7 – Hector and Kyle (and a cast of Enforcers) took ownership and led this new “3D Printing and Specialty Parts/Materials Track”
Again, THANKS so much to all who made the Aug 20th Workshops a huge success, also including our many presenting teams!
Quite a few are also coming back to help on Sept 24th!
In-Person Workshops (September 24th at Moorestown Friends School)
Registration continues to be OPEN for these free September Workshops. There is still room but, the Tracks are filling. Don’t get left out.
Coaches can register their teams via the FTCNJ website: Upcoming Events - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
FYI – Here are the 8 Day-Long Track Offerings at the Sept 24th Workshop
1. Basic Robotics Hardware w/ Build-a-Bot Hands-On
2. Beyond Basics / Advanced Hardware Topics & Showcased Teams
3. Introduction to Programming /using OnBot Java
4. Advanced Programming Topics including Function and Code Review by Top Teams
5. Blended Topics Track / Providing new students and adults with a great sampling of Roles & Activities on an FTC Team
6. Coaches & Team Leader Track / Featuring Team Organization & Mgmt Topics, plus Fundraising, Finding Sponsors, etc
7. Specialty Parts and Materials with a Focus on 3D Printed Parts
8. Introduction to Onshape and Hands-On Help to get your started on this year’s robot modeling.
We are delighted to add Track #8 to the Workshops at Moorestown.
Track #8 led by Michael P who delivered a series of 4-5 impressive FTC-robot-focused Zoom session during the pandemic season.
If your team is just getting started with Onshape, considering Onshape, or want to train more Onshape CAD’ers, … this Track is for you.
An Onshape Briefing was presented for an hour at the August Workshop. That Briefing has now been expanded to a full-day track.
Since the Game Reveal will have already happened, modelers can work on CAD’ing this year’s bot, with assistance, as needed!
Track #7 “3D Printed Parts & Specialty Parts” (previously including the Onshape Briefing) is returning for a full-day …, with the Enforcers impressively hosting, once again.
Excess Material Request
As we work our way through the three July Outreach Scrimmages and Workshops, the value of the small training bots (jersey-bots) is being proven more and more.
These handy training and outreach tools are equipped with Expansion Hubs … which means that two Android phones are needed for each jersey-bot.
FTCNJ has been using a ZTE Android phones, which are not competition legal, for the training/outreach exercises with these bots. Some ZTE no longer operate.
If you are a team that has successfully made the switch to the Driver Hub and have excess Android phones, FTCNJ has a good home for them
Whether they are legal or no longer legal (e.g., ZTE’s), your old phones have value to FTCNJ if you would like to donate them. A thought! Thanks.
Thanks to Blue Steel (Howell FTC) and Princeton STEM Academy for the donation of Android Phones J
Practice Days (October 2022)
Similar to Outreach Scrimmages, these are unofficial events at which students can compete and tinker on bots in a stress-free environment.
The big difference is that we’ll be playing on an official PowerPlay field and teams wll shaking out the new year’s “PowerPlay” robots. Super helpful and fun!
· Registration is NOW OPEN for all three October Practice Days. They are geographically spread, but sign up for the one that works best for you.
· Coaches can register via the FTCNJ website “Upcoming Events” page, … or here’s a direct link to the form (below):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd98FKnY-3OpWcnbw3SNl4iKA9Ax4l-OwG_Sk5JfKe8BJaZeA/viewform
o “Central NJ Practice Day” – Sunday October 23rd. Co-hosted by Highland Park OWLS and Princeton STEM Academy Teams at Highland Park High School.
o “Southern NJ Practice Day” – Sunday, October 16th. Co-hosted by Toms River FTC Teams at Toms River High School North.
o “Northern NJ Practice Day” – Saturday, October 15th. Anticipating Newark/Essex County location. Confirmation coming soon but you can register now.
VOLUNTEERS – Tech Crew Initiative
Hoping to see more folks step up to assist in the Tech Crew. The October Practice Days coming up are another opportunity to serve, and learn.
Coaches interested in learning more about FTA and FTAA volunteering, please let us know. Our growing Program can surely use the help!
TEAM REGISTRATION / CONFERENCES
Season Plan – Conferences
Once again there will be 4 Leagues in FTCNJ with each comprised of 2 Conferences of 20-25 teams, organized by county.
The updated Conference/League structure takes into account travel time and should really improve that situation for many.
Remember, all teams in a League may compete at any Meet within that League, regardless of Conference.
Only in February’s League Tournaments must teams play only at their Conferences season-ending tournament.
FTC NJ League / Conference Structure ß The FTCNJ Team “Pin Map” can be found at: Team Map - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
It shows locations of currently registered teams in 4 Leagues, superimposed on the map of New Jersey.
North East Edge League
· North East Conference: Hudson, Union, North Essex (Caldwell, Livingston, Montclair, Nutley)
· South Essex Conference: Bloomfield, Maplewood, Newark, South Orange, West Orange)
Northern League
· Far North Conference: Warren, Sussex, Passaic, West Bergen (Glen Rock, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Saddle River, Township of Washington)
· East Bergen Conference: (Cliffside Park, Cresskill, Demarest, East Rutherford, Emerson, Englewood, Hackensack, Lodi, Oradell, Paramus, Park Ridge, Rutherford, Tenafly)
Upper Central League
· Central Conference: Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex
· Morris County Conference: Morris (All)
Southern League
· Upper South Conference: Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean
· Deep South Conference: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem
POWERPLAY Season Team Registration OPEN
64 of the 71 are fully registered; while seven registrations are pending.
59 of the 64 are returning teams … and 5 fully registered rookies.
As of this moment, 162 FTCNJ Teams have registered or confirmed their intent to do so for the upcoming season.
WELCOME Rookie Teams!
· We are delighted to have the following new teams join us….
o 21767 (Quadra) - Edison
o 21630 (Argonauts) - Somerset
o 21505 (HHS Robotics FTC Raiders) - Hillsborough
o 21480 (C3 Loco-Motors) - Elmer
o 21226 (RoboRaiders) - Hillsborough
Expansion Hubs for our Rookie Teams!
· Super kudos to the veteran teams who’ve stepped up to loan Expansion Hubs…
o 11241(Blue Steel)
o 7149…(Enforcers)
o 16367(Krypton Warriors)
o 14481…(Princeton STEM)
o 12601 (RoboStorm)
o 7040…(Cyber Falcons/Raptors)
· We are expecting the September rookies. Need more Hubs. Can your team loan a spare?
COMPETITION NEWS
Register NOW for the September 10th Kick-Off Events
Livingston High School is host of the Northern Kick Off Event and Hightstown High School is host of the Southern NJ Kick Off Event.
The Registration Link for Kick Off is now posted on the FTCNJ website and is available here, as well. Coaches only please.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhCVag93LPub7WpJntRjspHyD7F2QTU2ETw1f1M_qKu92iXw/viewform
Coaches may register their team(s) now for one of the two sites, and provide information regarding headcount, etc.
There are currently 21 teams (200 people) registered for Livingston and 22 teams (194 people) registered for Hightstown.
Coaches are asked to PLEASE register soon so that our hosts can properly plan space and food for the expected headcount.
We are talking to venue hosts regarding headcount caps. Event registration is closing soon.
Plan for the Day:
· Game Reveal will be at noon, followed by Q&A, and a chance to view the physical field (and receive game element construction tips.)
· FTCNJ will be livestreaming the Noon segment of the Livingston event (i.e., Game Animation and Q&A by FTCNJ Head Referees).
· Per usual, the morning (at both sites) will include an informative FTCNJ Auditorium Program to explain the season, as well as a number of the special “Breakout Sessions”.
· The 43 teams, cited above, have been sent their Session Request forms for the Breakout Sessions. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served. Don’t be left out.
o Sessions Include: SDK-Load HELP, Java Talk, Coaches Forum, Competiveness on the Field, Judging Tips, Volunteering & Event Hosting.
§ Resurrecting a past tradition, our Hightstown Kick-Off Host has 11-12 colleges already lined up with showcase tables at the event in Hightstown.
State Championship – March 12, 2023
The FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held on Sunday, March 12th
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.
· Saturday, Feb 4th is confirmed as the Morris County Conference League Tournament at Delbarton School in Morristown.
· Sunday, Feb 5th is the Northeast Conference League Tournament is at Bayonne HS
· Saturday, Feb 11th is officially confirmed for the Far North Conference League Tournament at Glen Rock HS.
· Sunday, February 12th is confirmed as the Upper South Conference League Tournament at Hightstown HS in Hightstown.
· Saturday, Feb 18th is now considered confirmed for the South Essex Conference League Tournament at Payne Tech, Newark.
· Sunday, February 19th is confirmed for the Central Conference League Tournament at Kean University in Union.
· Saturday, Feb 25th is confirmed for the Deep South Conference League Tournament at North Burlington Middle School.
· Sunday, Feb 26th is confirmed for the East Bergen Conference League Tournament at Emerson Jr. Sr. High School.
Meet Sites
· Governor Livingston HS in Berkley Heights has now confirmed as site of a Northeast Edge League Meet on Saturday, October 29th.
· Bergen Catholic HS in Oradell is site of a Northern League Meet on Sunday, October 30th.
· Don Bosco Prep HS is site of a Northern League Meet on Saturday, November 5th.
· Howell High School is site of a Southern League Meet on Saturday, November 12th.
· Westfield High School is site of a Northeast Edge League Meet on Sunday, November 13th.
· Ridgewood High School is site of a Northern League Meet on Saturday, November 19th.
· Cruise Control has confirmed Grace Church (Randolph Campus Facility) as site of a Upper Central League Meet on Saturday, November 26th.
· Transisters have confirmed their GSJS Program Activity Center as site of a Southern Meet on Sunday, November 27th.
· Williamstown Middle School confirmed as site of a Southern League Meet on Sunday, December 4th
· Cliffside Park confirmed as site of a Northern League Meet on Sunday, December 11th.
· Clearview Regional Middle School has confirmed as site of Southern League Meet on Saturday, December 17th.
· Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has confirmed as site of a Northeast Edge League Meet on Sunday, December 18th.
· Liberty Science Center is site of a Northern League Meet on Saturday, January 7th. Jdroids are once again the Team Host.
· Pingry School has confirmed as site of an Upper Central League Meet on Sunday, January 8th.
· EHT PAL has confirmed as site of a Southern League Meet on Sunday, January 15th.
· Chatham High School has confirmed as site of Upper Central League Meet on Saturday, January 21st
· Blair Academy has confirmed as site of a Northern League Meet on Sunday, January 22nd.
· Sparks have confirmed Stuart Country Day School of Princeton as site of a Southern League Meet on January 28th.
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)
All confirmed events can also be found on the FTCNJ website: Upcoming Events - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
In-Person Event Policy
Last year, among other things, FTCNJ had a “mask mandate” in place; this season we are considering “Masks Optional” unless required by the venue.
We will defer to the venue and pass along any other requirements, as they are known. FTCNJ events will comply with any tighter requirements set forth by the venue.
While spectators will be allowed this year, headcount limits may be in place for smaller venues based on team count and space.
Hoping for a continuation of a return to normal during the coming season.
FIRST & FTCNJ Community News
FIRST!
Game Reveal
If you are not joining FTCNJ for the Kick Off / Game Reveal, remember that you can easily tune into FIRST.
Here’s their link for the Sept 10 Reveal … Join FIRST on YouTube at 12 noon Eastern Time!
Kickoff Sweepstakes
FIRST® Tech Challenge has officially launched their Kickoff Sweepstakes!
Four winners will receive a 2022-2023 POWERPLAYSM presented by Raytheon Technologies partial game set and scoring elements.
Whether teams are new or returning this season, competing remotely or head-to-head, having the elements used at official competitions can help teams:
- strategize game-play tactics
- get hands-on experience with POWERPLAY game elements,
- program your robot to exact field specifications,
- and run practice matches
All teams need to do to enter is complete their 2022-2023 FIRST Tech Challenge team season registration before September 15, 2022, for a chance to win the 2022 Kickoff Sweepstakes.
The sweepstakes prize package includes one (1) 2022-2023 FIRST Tech Challenge POWERPLAY season partial game set and scoring elements, a total approximate retail value of $290.
The package does not include field perimeter or soft tiles. If a team has already completed their FIRST Tech Challenge season registration for this season, they are already entered into the sweepstakes.
FTC SIM Grant
This opportunity was brought to our attention by our FIRST Senior Mentor, Chris N.
Rookie FTC teams who leverage the FTC SIM tool, developed in Canada, may want to check this out! https://www.firstroboticscanada.org/ftc/sim/grants/
Participants need to use the FTC SIM tool to do the exercises in this block-based (or Java) programming that's relevant to FTC, and earn "lightning bolts" that go towards the grant eligibility.
There are a limited number (140) of these $1000 grants available, so teams should act soon if they want to be a recipient.
FIRST® Tech Challenge Development Kit (SDK) v7.2 Release Available
Did you take note of this email blast from FIRST? ...
“FIRST Tech Challenge Software Development Kit (SDK) v7.2 has been released.
This offseason software release comes with new features, bug fixes, and enhancements; it's being released early this summer to allow teams to discover,
experiment, and familiarize themselves with the updates and prepare themselves for the upcoming season. You can read more about it on our blog.
NOTE: Another SDK software update is scheduled for release on or around Kickoff (September 10, 2022), and this kickoff release is currently slated as
the minimum version required for teams to use during the POWERPLAY presented by Raytheon Technologies season.”
Game Manual Release
FIRST has released both versions of their Game Manual Part 1, as planned. We expect to be using the “Traditional” version, or course.
· Traditional: https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/game-manual-part-1-traditional-events.pdf
FTCNJ News
Raritan Valley Science & Technology Showcase (RVSTS)
FTCNJ has been invited to provide a full FIRST Tech Challenge Outreach area for the event.
The organizers have obtained a good amount of mall floor space and are highlighting all FIRST Programs in generous areas.
Interested mall-patrons are invited/directed to the areas of interest. This is a great Outreach opportunity for all FTCNJ teams!
Check out the description of 4 FTC Exhibition Activities and the Layout Concept on the attachment.
This will be the largest Outreach Event of the coming season. A big deal. If interested in participating, contact vfras...@aol.com
Organizers: Raritan Valley Science & Technology Showcase (RVSTS) Committee
Event Details: October 1-2, 2022 at Bridgewater Commons Mall
For a full description of this unique event, please see the website: rvsts.org (Note – The off-season competition mentioned is FRC, not FTC)
The following teams have stepped up to support the big event:
· 7026(Jdroids)-Saturday
· 7040/8812(Cyber Falcons/Cyber Raptors)-Saturday
· 6037(WAGS)-Sunday
· 6934(Transisters)-Sunday
Optimum staffing is 6-8 teams each day. We currently have 2 for Saturday, 2 for Sunday.
Can your team step up to be part of this outstanding Outreach opportunity?
Note: While we’d love you to bring a Freight Frenzy robot to demo, or a partially completed Power Play robot, but …
…. since 2 of 4 activities are displays or driving zones, teams can still participate without a robot!
Coaches Caucus Returns (09/02)
As we move into September, the Coach Caucus is coming off of hiatus. The voluntary Zoom session is 1st Friday of the month.
New and veteran coaches will be meeting at 8pm to discuss Kick Off, Workshops, and other topics of mutual interest.
Here is the Registration Link for interested Coaches: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-ChqT8iGNxj4hc9YoSzrZknV3WTZ6uH
Hope to see you there. Coaches only please.
Captains Caucus Returns … (09/16)
As we move into September, the Captains Caucus is coming off of hiatus. The voluntary Zoom session is 3rd Friday of the month.
Captains and Team Leaders will be meeting at 8pm to discuss Workshops, Practice Days and other topics of mutual interest.
Here is the Registration Link for interested Captains & Team Leaders: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsceqvrTsvGdMEdriuVvQeQDFfQEoNwq0S
Students only please.
Recognizing our Supportive Teams!
We really want to recognize those who make the FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey Community so successful!
FTCNJ is a 100% Volunteer-driven organization. Members of the Board of Directors & Planning Committee receive no compensation for all of their work. They are the heart of FTCNJ!
We also have between 200-300 Dedicated Volunteers who make possible the ~45 events we conduct each year. Our teams are also extremely important to keeping the FTCNJ Community robust and healthy.
Supportive FTCNJ Teams provide many essential needs including hosting events, supporting FTCNJ run events, providing volunteers, and providing training and support directly to other teams.
FTCNJ Website visitors will soon note a new tab “Team Supporters of FTCNJ” that will be used highlight those teams going the extra mile to support our family of FTCNJ teams.
Control Hub Shortage – FTCNJ Community Support
FIRST has issued a call for veteran teams to graciously “share a spare” and advise their PDP (i.e., FTCNJ) if they are able to loan their spare.
Beyond that FTCNJ is creating a pool of spare Expansion Hubs that can be loaned to a rookie, or a Donor/Loaner veteran team overnight, in a pinch.
Details: 5-Point Plan
1. FTCNJ is compiling a list of teams that are willing to be Donor/Loaners. (That means lending your spare Expansion Module into our pool for rookie teams.)
2. FTCNJ will match the need of the rookies with the maintenance of the pool. Responding veteran teams (based on date stamp) will be asked so send in their Hub, as the need is determined.
3. Any team which is officially requested to loan their Hub, and does so, will receive 50% off of next year’s FTCNJ Season Fee.
4. If a team that has loaned its spare Expansion Hub suddenly finds themselves in urgent need of one, FTCNJ will ship an emergency replacement.
5. At season’s end, or when the Controller Hub situation is resolved, Expansion Hubs will be sent back to all teams who graciously loaned one.
If your team has a spare Expansion Hub and is interested in getting onto the Donor/Loaner List, please write back to vfras...@aol.com
STEM GIRLS News!
Advice from a Returning Alum
An encore presentation of the “College Experience Video” by STEM Girls Alum Sophie R has now been posted.
Check out the sound advice from this 2nd Year student in the Biological Engineering Program at Purdue University. It is 9 minutes of viewing well spent!
Here’s the link: STEM Girls News - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
STEM Girls PowerPlay Season
Meetings being planned soon for the September kick off of the new season. We look forward to field-side Tech Talks resuming in the Fall, as well as other remote sessions.
For any girls interested, it’s not too late to join the STEM Girls community! It’s very easy! Action starting soon.
Simply use the link, below, to “opt-in” and receive the periodic notices of STEM Girl Happenings!
You can “opt-out” at any time!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfca5j11yjtAW6OJmRzbbwKyrSOrt8a5tty9SojZkwYLJLvCw/viewform
Our next newsletter will be on September 6, 2022.
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