Tuesday Newsday - August 24 2021 ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
Here is our weekly update on our “Freight Frenzy” Season. New information is shown in blue text.
HEADLINE:
THANKS TO OUR TRAINING PARTICIPANTS & VOLUNTEERS!
There has been a lot of great training and camaraderie in the past week. Here’s a summary….
Tuesday, August 17th INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING w/BLOCKS
Twenty-two participants joined instructor Narmada K for this very informative evening Zoom Session.
Wednesday, August 18th INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMING w/OnBot JAVA
Fifty-two participants joined instructor Chris K on the Zoom Session with some attending the associated Debug segment on Saturday.
The FTCNJ training bots have been upgraded, allowing hands-on work with Motor Encoders (as well as IMU) at the Workshop.
Saturday, August 21st In-Person 4-Track Workshop at Kean University.
Approximately 100 people attended the tracks which include Build-a-Bot, JAVA, Advanced Mechanical and Team Topics.
Big thanks to Jim Novotny and Kean University for hosting the event and to our mentoring teams / student helpers.
Thanks to Track Leads: Kathy R, Joe L, Chris K, Jim C, Amir R, Jim N, Pat F and adult volunteers Nataliya K and Cassie R.
It was so great to see folks in person once again, sharing information, collaborating and driving the built-bots!
Quick Links: Team Status
TEAM STATUS
Registration Status
Currently, 142 teams have either registered their team with FIRST or have advised FTCNJ that they are definitely planning to re-register.
Twenty (20) Team moved from “planning to re-register” category to “fully-registered” category in the past two weeks!
Are you helping to recruit other teams or considering starting one yourself? If we can help in any way, please drop us a line. We want to grow FTCNJ!
FTCNJ holding two Outreach events in September (09/25 in Newark and 09/26 in Egg Harbor).
We are looking for teams to help and/or bring prospects with them. More detail in “Outreaches” , below.
Welcome New Teams!!
FTCNJ would like to give a warm welcome to the following new teams to our FTC community …
Check this out! A new Enforcers Team and a fourth Princeton STEM Academy Team! Way to Grow!!!
19476 JFI Somerset
19477 Bit by Bit Tenafly
19569 Robosapiens Metuchen
19719 RE-ENFORCERS Egg Harbor Twp
19722 Panthers Clifton
19735 HRNT Holmdel
19747 KABHOOM Edison
19772 PSA Beta Princeton Junction
League/Conference Assignments
Here again are the current League and Conference assignment by county of team registration.
North East Edge League
Bergen Conference: All Bergen County
North East Conference: Hudson, Union Counties
Northern League
South Essex Conference: Essex County cities of Orange, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Newark, Maplewood
Far North Conference: Passaic, Sussex, Warren Counties, and Essex County cities of Nutley, Montclair, Caldwell, Livingston, West Orange
Central West League
Western Conference: Hunterdon, Morris Counties
Central Conference: Mercer, Somerset Counties
Southern League
Upper South Conference: Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean Counties
Deep South Conference: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem Counties
LEAGUE / SEASON OVERVIEW
Here is an excerpt from a recent “Coaches Caucus”. This video describes the structure of New Jersey’s Leagues and Conferences.
It also shares dates and some details about the Championship, League Tournaments and 3 official Meet Competition opportunities per team.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1noXO8QSZ0MkvDrdhDen8gM32bYOgcJyP/view?usp=sharing
Also, the “FTCNJ Structure & Season Overview” slide set, presented at last Saturday’s Workshop, has been attached … for your information and understanding.
COMMUNICATIONS
Coach Survey
Thanks very much to all of the Coaches who have responded to the June “Coaches Survey”. It is helping us to compile the new season information and solidify the plans.
If you are one of the coaches who has yet to respond (or a new Coach) PLEASE do so soon. https://forms.gle/Zd9V84WpzP3kjFT59
New Coaches (Thurs, Sept 2nd)
Rookie Team Coaches, Coach Prospects and New Coaches on Veteran Teams were given a detailed heads-up about the coming events.
If you are a new coach as not on our special distribution list, drop us a line. More communication is planned to help the new folks.
Another New Coaches Meeting will be held during the first week in September. It will focus on readiness for Game Reveal and start of the new Season.
Here is the link for the September 2nd New Coaches Meeting (7pm) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOGorDMjHtQSXP69HdbpONoF90_hyonK
Coach Caucus (Friday, Sept 3rd)
We thank all Coaches who attended the August 6th Caucus. Great discussion on Early Season Activities, Organizing, Recruiting and Training.
Special thanks to Kathy R, Jim C, Joe L, Marie A, and Rich M for leading the discussion topics. Recording and slides distributed, as usual.
The next Coaches Caucus is Sept 3rd (the first-Friday of the month) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscOmsrTguGdFFELRv6VaK7U1MpuDGt0tP
Gathering topics for the next Coach Caucus. The impending Game Reveal and a discussion of the new Driver Station Hub are planned.
Captains Caucus (Thurs, Sept 16th)
For those unacquainted, the monthly student-led meeting is an opportunity for student Team Leaders / Captains to meet and share best practices.
Breakout Groups are used and various leadership challenges and great ideas are discussed and documented. Coaches are strongly urged to send their leaders.
Here’s the link to the first Captains Caucus of the Freight Frenzy season: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucuiqrTwuH9D_usFf2SuxXph5MyGliZ5u
COMPETITION NEWS
Per usual, coaches may select/register for their competitions on the Monday following Kick-Off in September using a system to be posted on the FTCNJ Website.
It is understood that all competitions are presently planned to be in-person events, but subject to change if pandemic conditions make it necessary.
We’ll keep everyone posted of any change, and all events will have a re-confirmation date 2 weeks prior to the event date.
The Season Calendar is updated on the FTCNJ Website to show event dates by League. http://www.newjerseyftc.com/season-calendar.html
Note: Though certain venues are not yet confirmed, we are showing the County in which the venue is pending … for preliminary information purposes.
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.
FIRST has announced that the World Championship will be held in Detroit: April 27 - April 30, 2022
League Tournament Plans
All League Tournaments will take place in February and all fully registered teams are automatically invited to their League/Conference tournament.
Here are the latest plans. Locations shown, where confirmed.
Feb 5th...........Southern League / Upper South Conference……………….Timothy Christian School, Piscataway, NJ
Feb 6th…………Northeast Edge League / Northeast Conference………….Bayonne High School, Bayonne, NJ
Feb 12th………..Northern League / Southern Essex Conference……………Payne Tech, Newark, NJ
Feb 13th………..Central West League/ Central Conference………………….Hightstown High School, Hightstown, NJ
Feb 19th………..Central West League/ Western Conference………….……Pending Host Confirmation (Morris County)
Feb 20th………..Northern League / Far North Conference…………………...Livingston High School, Livingston, NJ
Feb 26th………..Northeast Edge League / Bergen Conference……………..Glen Rock High School, Glen Rock, NJ
Feb 27th………..Southern League/ Deep South Conference…………………North Burlington Middle School, Columbus, NJ
8 League Meets – in January
There will be two Meet opportunities for each League in January. Teams have a choice of a Saturday Meet (underlined) or Sunday Meet.
It is also intended that four of our January (Saturday) Meets (one in each League) will include “Practice Judging”, as a tune up for February’s official judging at League Tournaments
Jan 8th………..Northern League / Either Conference……………………………Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Jan 9th………..Central West League / Either Conference……………….…….Pingry School (Basking Ridge or Bedminster Campus)
Jan 15th.……...Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………………Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Jan 16th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..Egg Harbor Twp PAL, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Jan 22nd……….Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Chatham High School, Chatham, NJ
Jan 23rd……....Northern League / Either Conference…………………………..Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ (Conditionally Confirmed. Awaiting 8/31)
Jan 29th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ
Jan 30th……….Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Emerson High School, Emerson, NJ
8 League Meets – in November / December
There will be two normal Meet opportunities in each League in the period of Nov 20 – Dec 19. Teams have a choice of a Saturday or Sunday Meet.
Four of our Nov/Dec (Sunday) Meets (one in each League) will include “Practice Judging”, as a tune up for February’s official judging at League Tournaments
Nov 20th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Nov 21st………..Central West League/ Either Conference………………….…..Soliciting New Host: Central-West League
Dec 4th ………..Northern League / Either Conference…………….…….………Essex County Technical School, Caldwell, NJ
Dec 5th ………..Southern League / Either Conference……………………….….Williamstown High School, Williamstown NJ
Dec 11th………..Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Soliciting New Host: Central-West League
Dec 12th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………….…..Union County Host is Conditionally Confirmed (confirming in Sept)
Dec 18th………..Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..Clearview Regional High School, Mullica Hill, NJ
Dec 19th………..Northern League / Either Conference………………………….. Pending Host Confirmation (TBD)
8 Special Meets – 4 Early November Meets & 4 Holiday Meets (Halloween & Thanksgiving Weekend)
FTC NJ is continuing the tradition of offering each League one more special Meet opportunity. Many teams have taken advantage of this in past years.
The spooky Halloween Meets are always extra fun for those ready for the first competitions of the season. (October 30th / 31st)
The long four-day Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for an additional official Meet on Saturday or Sunday.
Nov 06th ………..Southern League / Either Conference…………………………Pending Host Confirmation (Gloucester)
Nov 07th ………..Northern League / Either Conference……….…………..….. Essex County Host is Conditionally Confirmed (confirming Size Rqmts)
Nov 13th…….….Northeast Edge League / Either Conference……..…………Don Bosco Prep HS, Ramsey, NJ
Nov 14th………..Central-West League / Either Conference…………...…….. Pending Host Confirmation (TBD)
Oct 30th ………..Northern League / Either Conference…………………………Lenape Regional High School, 28 Sparta Road, Stanhope, NJ
Oct 31st ………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference……….….…..Pending Host Confirmation (Union)
Nov 27th……….Central-West League / Either Conference……………………Pending Host Confirmation (Morris)
Nov 28th………..Southern League / Either Conference………………….……..Girl Scouts ‘Program Activity Center’, Farmingdale, NJ
PRE-SEASON EVENTS
Practice Days
The FTCNJ tradition of October Practice Days will continue. Three are planned. Teams can bring non-functional robots for tinkering and help.
Training sessions planned at Practice Days ..but expanded over past years.
Two of three venues have confirmed. See below. Registration by Coaches can take place now. Space is limited. Sign-up soon, if interested.
The Registration Form may be found on the FTCNJ Website; scroll down on the “Upcoming Events” page. http://www.newjerseyftc.com/upcoming-events.html
Event Description
At a Practice Day, FTCNJ will have a physical field available for review. (Good to check it out and make sure yours is set up correctly)
We’ll review season planning and we’ll have one, or more, Head Referees available to talk about the “Freight Frenzy” Game.
There will be ‘pit tables’ available on which teams can tinker and get help in making their robot move for the first time, as needed.
Sites are providing a few classrooms for some in-season training in build, programming, CAD …. We know that some teams have later-joining members.
Space limited at some locations due to social distancing/headcount constraints.
Oct 9th………...Northern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……….Grace Church / Bethlehem Campus, Route 10W, Randolph, NJ.
Oct 16th………..Central NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……...….Pending Host Confirmation (Somerset County)
Oct 23rd………..Southern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……….RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ.
Kick-Off / Game Reveal
Game Reveal will take place on Saturday, September 18th. FTCNJ will livestream a Remote Kick-Off event, similar to last year.
Thanks once again to RJ Controls for agreeing to host the virtual Kick-Off Event and livestream it to our teams and their supporters.
· Those that watched last year, saw an FTCNJ Season Overview update (w/ Q&A) prior to the Game Reveal, then held a thorough Head Ref Q&A on the new Game after the Reveal.
· We also showed the physical field on camera and provided construction tips and mistakes to avoid.
· More information on connecting with the FTCNJ Remote Kick-Off to be provided in next week’s Tuesday Newsletter. (It’ll be youtube link for the livestreaming.)
REMOTE SESSIONS
Overview of Judge Awards – August 31st (7pm)
Do you have new people on your team, or are you a new Coach? Here’s a great overview of FIRST Tech Challenge Judge Awards.
Our FTCNJ Judge Advisors will review the awards, the process, and how teams can best prepare for it.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0scuCvrDwqE9y6cAkQ5MShwmtuBNZkK1W5
Advanced Programming – September 1st (7pm)
Some will recall weekly “Advanced Programming Sessions” hosted by FTA John McDonnell last Fall. We are bringing them back, by popular demand.
Similar to the Fall, we will be reaching out to some of the top teams, including Control Award Winners, to show some of their best stuff!
This will be regular 8pm Wednesday session for 6-8 weeks, while some creative and very successful coding shared by our great programmers.
The first session explains the approach, solicits topics of most interest, and provides useful info on Version Control, GitHub, and general advanced topics.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdO2upj0jGNzTaHpr8n-3spZYoDI_gixw
OUTREACH EVENTS
As mentioned previously, FTCNJ is interested in holding two Outreach Scrimmages this year. These events are intended to engage prospective new teams.
If your team is doing outreach and helping another school to make the decision to start a team, this event can really help.
We’ll be providing an overview of FTC, get assistance from some great veteran teams, and give new folks a chance to drive a loaner robot. It’s all about helping new teams to start.
Now that our two sites are confirmed (Thanks, Enforcers … Thanks, Robo-Raptors), we expect to open Outreach Event Registration by week’s end for those interested in helping.
Are you looking to help FTC NJ grow? Want to strengthen your Connect activity/resume? Here’s a great opportunity. Come to an official Outreach and help spread the word!
Sep 25th………..Northern NJ ….. Bard High School Early College, Newark, NJ
Sep 26th………..Southern NJ ….. Egg Harbor Township PAL, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
FTCNJ News
Coach Seeking A Team
We have the good fortune of a very experienced coach moving from VA to New Jersey!
She is currently interested in coaching a team in Monmouth or Middlesex Counties.
Having been a coach since the 2016, Cassie has taken teams to the VA State Championship 4 of 4 years, and won 2nd place for the Compass Award.
She also has participated & organized many ground breaking outreach opportunities, a proud LGBTQ+ Ally, and is the Women in Engineering and Science New Jersey Regional Ambassador with her employer.
If your team is looking for some solid coaching expertise, in-person or remote, reach out quickly to roboticsw...@gmail.com
FIRST NEWS ITEMS
FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grants
Make sure to tell anyone that’s thinking of starting a brand new FIRST Tech Challenge rookie team that we have $500 rookie grants available! Teams that haven’t yet registered for the 2021-2022 and are located in North America are eligible! Learn more on FIRST’s grants webpage!
Kickoff Sweepstakes
FIRST Tech Challenge is announcing our kickoff sweepstakes on August 18. \ Four winners will receive a 2021-2022 FREIGHT FRENZY partial game set and scoring elements.
Having the elements used at official competitions, can help teams: strategize game-play tactics, get hands-on experience with FREIGHT FRENZY game elements, program robots to exact field specifications, and run practice matches
Teams need to complete their 2021-2022 FIRST Tech Challenge team season registration before September 15, 2021 for a chance to win the 2021 Kickoff Sweepstakes.
If a team has already completed their FIRST Tech Challenge season registration, they are already entered into the sweepstakes.
The sweepstakes prize package includes one (1) 2021-2022 FTC season FREIGHT FRENZY partial game set and scoring elements, a total approximate retail value of $260.00. The package does not include field perimeter or soft tiles.
The information will be live after August 18 here.
FIRST® Apps No Longer On Google Play
FIRST decided to remove all versions of the FIRST® Tech Challenge control system software from the Play Store. This decision is due to Google Play security requirement changes that are causing us to no longer distribute versions 6.1 and later of the FIRST Tech Challenge control system software through the Play Store. Teams must use the REV Robotics Hardware Client software to manage their software on the Robot Controller/Control Hub and Driver Station devices, including the new Driver Hub. For more information, please read FIRST’s blog post.
Hopefully, this Communique has provided a lot of good information regarding the coming season. (New in blue!)
Our next newsletter will be on August 31st
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
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
More to come.
Thanks much, Vince Frascella
FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey