Fwd: Maryland FRC Team Newsletter

[paule...@comcast.net]

FYI,

 

Paul Davenport

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From: "Anne Shade - FIRST Regional Director, Maryland" <ashad...@gmail.com>
To: "Paul" <paule...@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 8, 2015 9:30:33 PM
Subject: Maryland FRC Team Newsletter

View this email in your browser REMINDER:  BAA Back to Build Mentor Dinner The BAA will once again host the Back to Build Mentor Dinner on Monday January 12, 2015 from 6:30-8:30 at JHU APL.  The cost will be $5 due at door for Famous Dave's dinner (Vegetarian option available).  The Chesapeake Head Ref, Lead Robot Inspector and RD to speak and be available for questions. Limit - 4 mentors/team. No students. Register here. Recycle Rush The 2015 FRC game is Recycle Rush and there are lots of recycled concepts to this game from much older games that teams should keep in mind as they are developing their strategy and robot designs.  Some things to keep in mind: -  There are no match winners / losers.  Ranking is based on average match score.   -  A team's goal is to score as many points as possible to increase their average match score, not to beat the alliance on the opposing side of the field. -  The only size limitation on the robots while on the field is a max height of 78 in.  Robots must be no more thank 28 in wide, 42 in long, and 78 in tall during transport (that includes from the pit to the field). -  Litter can score for your opponent if not in the proper location at the end of the match.  See the note below from Tuesday's team update on "The Noodle Agreement". -  There is no ability to interact with the opponent's side of the field.  This is an offensive game. -  Bumper are not required. If bumpers are included, they count towards the 120 pound weight limit and count towards the 28 in x 42 in transport size requirement. A team 237 member developed a quick reference graphic of scores to be found here that teams may find useful.   Robot in 3 Days There were 7 Robot in 3 Days teams this year.  The Robot in 3 Days teams have completed their process and have posted videos and blogs here.  Take a look specifically at their youtube channel to see their robots as well as prototyping videos. The VEX Pro team has redesigned Build Blitz to provide tutorials and design tools for teams to use in their designs.  Topics posted so far include strategy analysis, design ideas for moving totes, a pinch claw design, and a linear elevator design.  Their blog is here. REMINDER:  First Choice opened again on kickoff day.  Don't forget to submit your priority list by January 9th. Team Update The first team update has been released here. Some corrections were added as well as a letter from Frank Merrick about the "noodle agreement" being widely discussed on the Chiefdelphi forum.  Expect to see updates each Tuesday and Friday during the build season. REMINDER:  The Championship event for 2015 will host 600 FRC teams.  The waitlist for the event has reopened and teams are invited to register.  More details on the Championship waitlist can be found here. Reminder: Display Opportunity: SLAS We’ve been contacted by the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) with a request. Every year at the annual conference the SLAS provides space on the exhibit floor to one or more FIRST teams to showcase their robots. Their next meeting will be held in Washington DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from February 7-11 (http://www.slas2015.org/). We invite FIRST teams to rotate shifts between the exhibit hall hours. The exhibit hall hours are: Sunday, February 8  4:30 pm - 7:00 pm (Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC and FRC Teams) Monday, February 9  10:00 am - 6:30 pm (AM and PM shifts, FTC and FRC teams only) Tuesday, February 10  9:30 am - 6:00 pm (AM and PM shifts, FTC and FRC teams only) Receptions are held in the hall, so food will be provided for the teams. Parking expenses will be covered, too! Please complete the following survey if your team is interested in participating. Calling all FIRST Alumni The Chesapeake Regional Planning Committee is looking to gather some information from current FIRST alumni as they begin planning activities for local alumni starting this season.  Please distribute the survey link to your alumni.   Copyright © 2015 Maryland FIRST, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a FRC team leader in Maryland or have requested to receive the weekly newsletter. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences