FTCNJ Tuesday Newsday - August 23 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.
The black text is included for completeness sake and for our new readers.
HEADLINES:
September 10th Kick Off Events ß Registration for either of the two in-person events is currently OPEN. 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. Half full already.
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.
Huge thanks to all of our volunteers, our presenting teams, and the university for use of 3 floors of the University’s Green Lane Academic Building!
Kudos to all of the coaches and students who made the time on the 20th to come, learn and get prepared for the coming season.
In-Person Workshops (September 24th at Moorestown Friends School)
Registration continues to be OPEN for these free September Workshops. The intent is to mirror the August Workshops as much as possible.
Over 80 people have registered, to date. There is still room but, as you can see, the Workshops are half-filled. Don’t get left out.
Here is the link to register for the Sept 24th Workshops: Upcoming Events - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
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 J
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.
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!
· Highland Park High School has now confirmed as host for the “Central NJ Practice Day” on Sunday, October 23rd. Thanks, once again, to the Owls, who also hosted a July FTCNJ Outreach.
· Update: Toms River High School North, 1245 Old Freehold Rd, Toms River has now confirmed as host of the Southern NJ Practice Day on October 16th
· Update: FTCNJ is coordinating with a previous-hosting Newark team about holding the Northern NJ Practice Day at their facility on October 15th. More to come.
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 ß Structure Diagram and Confirmed Events to Date Summary now attached
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
48 of the 54 are fully registered; while eight registrations are pending.
45 of the 48 are returning teams … and 3 fully registered rookies.
As of this moment, 158 FTCNJ Teams have registered or confirmed their intent to do so for the upcoming season.
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 13 teams (89 people) registered for Livingston and 18 teams (143 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.
Game Plan:
· 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 31 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.
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
· Bergen Catholic HS in Oradell is now confirmed as 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 has now confirmed as site of a Southern League Meet on Saturday, November 12th.
· Westfield High School has confirmed as site of a Northeast Edge League Meet on Sunday, November 13th.
· Ridgewood High School is now confirmed as 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.
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 & FTC Community News
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.
Although we try hard to let them know how valuable they are, we cannot thank them enough for the time and effort they put into supporting FTCNJ.
But, even this number of wonderful volunteers are not enough to create a successful and healthy program.
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.
Generous and giving teams are crucial to keeping our community vibrant! We want to recognize such teams on the FTCNJ website…
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.
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.”
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)
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. Here are the links, for your convenience.
· Traditional: https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/game-manual-part-1-traditional-events.pdf
FTCNJ News
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)
In-Person Tech Talks on August 20th
Great job by the STEM Girls in providing two abridged Tech-Talks during Track #6 of the August 20th Workshops.
One Talk covered “Exploring Onshape” while the other covered mechanical design topics “Intake Systems and Linear Slides”
Tech-Talk Team co-Lead Tanya V leads “Intake Systems”, Ally M leads “Linear Slides”, and returning Alum Sakshi L leads “Exploring Onshape”.
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! Action starting soon.
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfca5j11yjtAW6OJmRzbbwKyrSOrt8a5tty9SojZkwYLJLvCw/viewform
Control Hub Plan (Supply Chain Challenge)
We are aware of the FIRST notification regarding the difficulty in obtaining Control Hubs for the coming season.
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.
In addition to the Gracious Professional aspect of “sharing a spare”, FTCNJ is offering a discount on the season fee for our accepted Donor/Loaner veteran teams.
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
FTCNJ has now officially reached out to the three veteran teams that stepped up to offer the loan of their spare Expansion Hub.
Those teams have confirmed that they are mailing FTCNJ the Hubs so that we can immediately deploy them to the awaiting rookie teams.
Kudos to those teams who are helping out. We’ll be naming names next week J
Please consider following their great example. Let’s pull together to assure that our rookies are covered. More rookies blossoming soon.
And, remember that your spare Expansion Hub will be returned to you as soon as the rookies receive their Control Hub deliveries. We know that is getting a lot of heat.
FTC New Jersey Season Calendar
In addition to the “Event Information” tab, you can also find information on unofficial and official FTCNJ events in calendar format on the FTCNJ website.
The FTCNJ “Season Calendar” has been updated and can be found at: Season Calendar - FIRST Tech Challenge - New Jersey (newjerseyftc.com)
Team Seeking Members (Burlington County)
Returning All-Girl Team “Outer Galaxy” is recruiting new members for the 2022-2023 season.
They are inviting all interested potential students in South Jersey area who may be interested in joining our team to reach out via email at te...@outergalaxy.org
FTC 18241 is an all-girls team and ideally looking for new team members who will be rising HS Freshman thru HS Juniors in Fall 2022.
Note: There is no team membership fee for the season. Team usually raises funds through sponsorships.
Our next newsletter will be on August 30, 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