May 24 - Tuesday Newsday ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
This notification email (containing a bit of news) is being sent to everyone on the existing Newsletter Distribution list.
As always, you can very easily opt-out from receiving it. (See that process at the bottom of this email.)
Or, if you wish to suspend distribution during the off-season, simply send that note to this address and we’ll omit you until September.
Otherwise, the newsletter will coming out on Tuesdays (typically)
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.
If you have any questions about you are reading, below, just drop us a line. Glad to explain.
HEADLINES:
· Team Coach Survey
o Thanks to all who have responded to the Coach Survey. It will influence what is done in off-season and beyond.
o You’ll see a number of excerpts from the Survey below … and more in the Newsletters to follow.
o We appreciate the 55 teams who have responded. To those who’ve not yet done so, we’ll retire the survey in a week.
o Please use this link to provide your input by month’s end, if you’ve not done so yet.
o https://forms.gle/h3ZdxuGcepXizeqr6
Quick Links:
COMMUNICATIONS CAUCUSES
Coaches Caucus (May 20th) … Accomplished
Thanks to the coaches who attended last Friday’s Caucus Zoom. Attendance was light but the conversation was very good.
We had a chance to discuss the upcoming August 20th in-person Workshop and received some nice suggestions on content.
Also, the summarized responses to the Coaches Survey were reviewed.
The concept of delaying the second in-person Workshop until after Kick-Off was well embraced.
There was also a helpful discussion on improving the sparse Tech Crew (volunteer) situation. More to come on that.
June’s Coach Caucus is 6/10 at 7pm); beyond June, we’ll revert to the 1st Friday of the month.
Here’s the Registration Link (for interested Coaches): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcO6gqT0tHtY_Vqk2qmTiM7wSxGxfxhOo
Team Leader Caucus … (May 27th)
At this monthly student-led Zoom, student Team Leaders meet to share best practices.
Last season, student participants voted to pause the caucus during summer break. Seniors were college-bound …
Before assuming suspension again, FTCNJ will poll Freight Frenzy leader participants to determine whether to pause.
If not pausing, the off-season topics will include planning for next season, outreaches, workshops, …
Similar to the Coaches Caucus, the level of interest shown in registration will determine whether the summer sessions are held.
Ordinarily, the Caucus is the third Friday of the month but this special session will be on 05/27/22 (7pm).
Here’s the Registration Link for Student Leader sign-up : https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcuuvrzwjH9UF8_gNCE6UGBGIXEkEP_vI
OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES
In-Person Workshops
Kean University has just 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.
Also some new tracks are being considered, that will provide team members with an abridged treatment of a workshop topic.
For instance, new members may be able to sample programming, CAD, and mechanical mini-tracks to help discover their key interest.
Remote Workshops
We are delighted at the return of in-person Workshops. That said, there were some neat advantages to the Remote Workshops, as well.
One advantage was the ability to reach more participants state-wide via the Zoom event. Recordings of the event was another benefit.
The Coach Survey solicited interest in Remote Workshops, including the topics.
Nearly 70% of our responding 55 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.
FTCNJ would definitely commit resources to these events (e.g., Outreach Scrimmages).
Strong, successful FTCNJ teams are needed to help with these events in late June and late July.
Eleven of the 55 respondents expressed a willingness to assist at FTCNJ-driven Outreaches.
Only two teams can support the late June date, all eleven cited a preference for late-July.
FTCNJ will take the next step, which is aligning the offered support with the geographic need.
We will be gratefully reaching out soon. More planning to follow
Team-Driven Outreaches
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.
We’ve heard of two upcoming Outreach events … one in Gloucester County and two in Somerset County.
· The Somerset effort is being driven by the Cyber-Raptors (#8812) and Cyber-Falcons (#7040)
· On May 27th, they are bringing past season robots to an elementary school in Manville that will also have STEM/ Science teachers, older siblings, and parents.
· 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
VOLUNTEERS
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.
Additionally, it is hoped that adult mentors who receive this training are willing to volunteer at a few events.
Being a volunteer-driven organization, we really need team adults who are willing to lend a hand.
Perhaps offering training will inspire some who may be unsure of requirements and “on the fence”.
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.
Guidelines will be developed. Coaches will be asked for concurrence regarding any applying student.
Duties will include assisting with inspections, checking robot readiness on the queuing table, etc
COMPETITION NEWS
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.
The Coach Survey will solicit intent-to-return information to help in the league/conference planning.
FTCNJ expects to return to in-person judge interviews for League Tournaments and the State Championship.
Season Team Registration
Registration for the POWERPLAY Season is officially open. Six teams are already listed for NJ.
4 of the 6 are fully registered; while two are pending.
3 of the 6 are returning teams … and 3 are brand new rookies.
Hoping to see more folks registering soon, as their situation permits.
Welcome back all!
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).
FTCNJ STEM Girls
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: Events
One final “Get Together” Zoom is being planned.
The tentative date for the on-line virtual session in June 14th.
It will be the season Grand Finale, will cite accomplishments, cover college plans, and ideas for next year.
More to come.
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
FTCNJ News
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
Community Conference
Representatives of FTCNJ will be (virtually) attending the FIRST Conference (June 6th – 9th).
Notable news to be shared.
Our next newsletter will be on May 31st … and on Tuesdays thereafter.
If you have any questions, comments, or needs as you read this newsletter, simply write back and I’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