Tuesday Newsday - February 15 ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
Here is our weekly update on our “Freight Frenzy” Season. (Sorry, 1-day late this time)
New information is shown in blue text. Hot items in Highlight!
Welcome to all of our new coaches/subscribers.
If you have any questions about you are reading, below, just drop us a line. Glad to explain.
HEADLINES:
· Remote Judging Results – for February 5th (Frozen Frenzy) and February 6th (Perfect Swarm) League Tournaments
o Thanks to our teams and GREAT volunteers, Remote Judging Event #1 was conducted February 7th – 9th.
§ The February 5th League Tournament and February 6th League Tournaments were judged absolutely separately.
§ Each of the League Tournaments had an Inspire Winner and full set of Judge Award winners.
§ There are two attachments to this week’s Newsletter that describe the awards, the nominees and the winners.
§ Special congratulations to Team #7350 Watt’s NXT (Inspire-Feb 5th) and Team #18246 ∆V (Inspire – Feb 6th)
· The “Central Conference” League Tournament was held at Hightstown High School (our longest running host) on February 13th.
o Congratulations to the Winning Alliance Team #11754 (Energy Smart) and Team #6060 (Pingry Robotics)
o Both teams are advancing to States, along with others to announced on February 16th.
· Judge Volunteers
o Our Remote Judge volunteers have been doing an amazing job!!
o Including the two Practice Judging Events, Remote Judges are wrapping up their 4th Remote Judging Event on February 16th
o It takes many dedicated volunteers to make this Program work. These people are investing their Mon-Tues-Weds nights for the students!
§ As we come upon the last 2 Remote Judging events, each requires ~24 Judges and each is currently in need of ~6 more volunteers.
§ If you have been a past Judge or have ever thought about stepping up to lend a hand, now is the time. Please help with this remote effort.
o It is also our intent to conduct In-Person Judging at the State Championship on March 6th. Judge volunteers are needed.
§ As cited in the news, the COVID situation is improving. While some mandates are being lifted, FTCNJ will keep ours in place through March 6th
§ The school is very large and there are separate classrooms for the interviews … and no high-five lines.
§ That said, we are really looking forward to having in-person Judging again. It is great for the students and great to have judges physically present.
§ Please drop a note back to Vince if you are a past, present, or future judge who is interested in helping. Staffing Judges now.
ON THE HORIZON:
February 14th – February 16th
o Remote Judging for the Central Conference wraps up on Wednesday evening.
§ As a result of the League Tournaments’ Remote Judging, 2-3 more teams will advance to States.
§ Winners and advancements to be announced on Wednesday Night (Feb 16th)
Saturday, February 19th and Sunday, February 20th
o First In-Person League Tournaments
§ Chatham High School is site of the “Western Conference” League Tournament on Saturday.
§ On Sunday, Payne Tech hosts the Northern League Tournament (for “South Essex” & “Far North” Conferences).
Quick Links:
COMMUNICATIONS CAUCUSES
Coaches Caucus
In light of League Tournaments, Remote Judging and Dean’s List activities, FTCNJ is postponing our February Coaches Caucus.
Our next Coaches Caucus will be the first Friday in March, rather than Feb 4th
Here is the Registration Link for interested Coaches: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkdumoqz0rHtWzHNPd4okjpvrnnH2KOSmO
Hope to see you there.
Captains Caucus … (February 25th)
At this monthly student-led Zoom, student Team Leaders meet to share best practices.
The next Captains Caucus is 8pm (Friday, 02/25)
Here is the Registration Link for Student Team Leads: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMucOusrzgpGdHYyLCISLNyz8YKU92pbu-Z
Topics include: (A) Robot Topics, (B) Team Plans – Future, (C) Post-Season Events, (D) Outreach Plans, (E) Communication & Coordination.
LEAGUE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
In addition to the attachment, here’s a quick summary of the top awards …
February 5th – Frozen Frenzy (Piscataway)
Inspire:
Winner 7350 Watt's NXT? - from Edison, NJ
Second Place 14481 Don't Blink - from Plainsboro, NJ
Third Place 18671 Faraday - from Edison, NJ
Winning Alliance:
Captain 11697 TECH-tonic - from East Brunswick, NJ
1st Pick 19735 HRNT - from Holmdel, NJ
2nd Pick 5398 Robotux - from Holmdel, NJ
Finalist Alliance:
Captain 7350 Watt's NXT? - from Edison, NJ
1st Pick 14481 Don't Blink - from Plainsboro, NJ
2nd Pick 8421 Tigers - from Piscataway, NJ
February 6th – Perfect Swarm (Bayonne)
Inspire:
Winner 18246 ∆V - from Rutherford, NJ
Second Place 17670 Raider Robotics - from Scotch Plains, NJ
Third Place 4890 Hive Voltage 2.0 - from Bayonne , NJ
Our Winning Alliance:
Captain 4890 Hive Voltage 2.0 - from Bayonne , NJ
1st Pick 17670 Raider Robotics - from Scotch Plains, NJ
Finalist Alliance:
Captain 3774 Hive Voltage - from Bayonne, NJ
1st Pick 16557 Honey K-Ohms - from Bayonne, NJ
February 13th – Snowday Showdown (Hightstown)
Inspire: TBD
Winning Alliance:
Captain 11754 EnergySmart - from Somerset, NJ
1st Pick 6069 – Pingry from Basking Ridge
Finalist Alliance:
Captain 16102 The Short Circuits
1st Pick 19772 Rust in Piece
REMOTE JUDGING
League Tournament Judging (Remote)
The diagram below shows the schedule. The timing aligns closely to that experienced at January’s Practice Judging events.
Note – While two Conferences undergo Remote Judging within the same period, the Judging Panels, Deliberations, and sets of Awards are totally separate!
COMPETITION NEWS
Google Group Queuing
More and more of our venues are utilizing Google Group to assist with Queuing and to send other important event messages to teams.
Look for the QR code that is pre-printed on your Team’s Pit Sign or ask the host about it. Use your smart phone and stay well informed!
Meet Results
While we are not having formal Closing Ceremonies at our Meets, a summary of results is available shortly after event completion.
Anyone can go to FTC Event Web : Home (firstinspires.org) to see as all event results from all regions.
Worlds Allocations for FTCNJ
FIRST has just advised us that New Jersey’s FTC region will receive three advancements to the FTC World Championship.
State Championship – Sunday, March 6th
The FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held at Morris Knolls High School, one week after our final League Tournament.
FTCNJ STEM Girls
STEM GIRLS: Tech Talk - “Active Intakes Explored” ß Accomplished January 31st
The STEM Girls “Empowered Team” hosted a Tech Talk called “Active Intakes Explored” on Monday, January 31st.
Durometer, wheels, tubing, entrapment stars, best practices, and much more were covered.
The slides and recording of the event to be made available to attendees and others, upon request, next week.
News from the Motivate Team:
Thank you to the M-Team members who hosted "Bandana & Bling" Sessions at many of the January Meets!
STEM Girls be sure to wear your bandanas at the continuing League Tournaments!
For any girls interested, it’s not too late to join the STEM Girls community!
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfca5j11yjtAW6OJmRzbbwKyrSOrt8a5tty9SojZkwYLJLvCw/viewform
FTCNJ News
In Search of a Field
FTC Team 479 (NYC) is asking if any team would like to sell their used perimeter walls
They are preparing for the NYC Championships on March 6th and their DIY field perimeters walls are causing them problems.
The team would be willing to handle any shipping/pick-up costs, as necessary.
If there are any teams out there who can sell or loan Team #479 the needed walls, please contact vfras...@aol.com
Thanks
Hopefully, this Communique has provided a lot of good information regarding the coming season. (New in blue! Hot in Yellow Highlight!)
Our next newsletter will be on February 22nd
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