Starting a Middle School FTC Team Code Red Robotics Corey Oostveen

Outline Registration and tournament info Team management guidelines Coach & mentor qualifications/time demands Cost, budgeting and fund-raising tips Programming and Controls resources Where to find vital resources & updates Q&A with area FTC coaches

About FTC

FTC in Michigan Middle School Program 46 teams currently Goal:100 new teams this season FLLFTCFRC

Important Dates May 9, 2012 – Registration Opens at noon for the Season Sept. 8, 2012 – Season Kick-off for the Season Nov March 2013 – Tournament Season (Late November/Early December) April – FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship Event in St. Louis, Missouri

Coach/Mentor Qualifications Does the coach need a technical background? What is the time commitment? – 3-6 hours per week How many coaches are needed? – 1 adult for every 5 kids – 10 kids per team

Cost, budgeting and fundraising tips Sample Budget Grants Fundraising

Sample Budget ITEMCostsTotals ESSENTIAL COSTS: FTC Registration$275 Initial Kit of Parts*$900 Essential costs before grants$1,175 Less Grant from GM$600 Total Essential Costs$575 OPTIONAL COSTS: Extra parts team may want to purchase (optional)$400 Robot C software (optional labview comes free)$75$75 Local tournament fee (Varies by event)$200 Food and entertainment of team (varies by team)$700 Travel to events (varies by team)$350 TShirts and banners/misc. (varies by team)$400 Total Optional Costs$2,125 TYPICAL FTC TEAM BUDGET $2,700 *KIT INCLUDES: Kit TETRIX kit with Mindstorm$650 Resource Kit (add on but needed)$200 Samantha Module$50 (Wifi module to connect robot to comp field)$50$50 Total Kit Costs$900

Grants GM Grant (Michigan Specific) – $600 to new FTC teams FIRST Graduation Grant – You are a registered, rookie FTC team (a new team that did not exist prior to the FTC season). – At least one member of your rookie team participated as a member of an FLL team in one of the last four seasons. – Your team must have an affiliation with a non-profit organization willing to accept funds on your behalf. – Covers Registration fee of $275 and provides $300

Grants Lego Foundation Grant – You must register and pay for their FTC season.register and pay – Have a valid rookie team number. – At least one member of your team must have participated in FLL in one of the last four FLL seasons. $100 per FLL graduate, up to $300 max per team, towards an FTC Competition Kit (with or without MINDSTORMS) at FTCrobots.com.

Fundraising Participation Fee Sponsors Reasons Why a Company Should Sponsor an FTC Team: – Funding FTC teams encourages a talented future workforce. – Sponsors help to develop the community in which they exist by providing for positive experiences for young people. – Sponsorship creates and enhances awareness of the company in the local community. – Companies can add their logo on to team banners or T- shirts.

Fundraising Always be sure that the host organization approves the chosen fundraiser. To be more original, make and sell items that complement the community. Make it fun! The more fun the fundraiser is, the more donors will want to be part of the excitement. Think of fundraising ideas that do not require additional Volunteers, or a greater time commitment. Ask community groups to support the team in any way they can. A number of major retail franchises may match money raised at their sites, while others may offer community groups free or discounted products. Be sure to call local businesses and ask them what they might do to help. Every little bit raised is helpful! Visit local businesses and companies to grow the program in the area and bring community awareness for the team. $100 from ten businesses might be easier to attain than $1,000 from one Sponsor. Several small fundraisers are easier to coordinate than a single large one.

Preparing the team Before Kickoff Explaining the Rules and the Challenge The Engineering Notebook Preparing the Team for Judging Preparing the Drive Team for Competition Preparing the Pit Crew for Competition

Before Kickoff Familiarize with hardware and software Tutorials and curriculums

Explaining the Rules and the Challenge Everyone read the manual Watch the game video several times discuss game rules without referencing robot design at all

Engineering Notebook Very Important!!! Document obstacles that will be faced. Highlighted lessons that will be learned. Sketch or draw ideas for development and testing. Record the results of development and testing. Document teams decisions.

Engineering Notebook Document everything! Include: – Sketches and photos – Discussions from team meetings – Design evolution – Processes – AHA! Moments – Obstacles and resolutions – Each team members thoughts throughout the journey.

Preparing the Team for Judging Hold mock judging sessions in each area Be prepared to speak about – how the robot was designed and built – Driving – game strategy – the Engineering Notebook – community service – outreach, and fundraising.

Preparing the Drive Team for Competition Timed trials A way to keep track of score Attend a scrimmage Have backup drive team(s)

Tools Recommended Tools Additional Power Tools Helpful Supplies Allen Wrench, 7/64" Allen Wrench, 1/8" Wrench (open end / box end), 5/16" Wrench (open end / box end), 1/4" Hacksaw, 32 tooth blade Hand Files (flat and round) Wire Strippers Wire Cutters Needle Nosed Pliers Soldering Iron Jigsaw Drill Heat Gun Extra Vise Grip Shrink Wire Wrap Electrical Tape Black, Red and Green Wire Small Zip Ties Blue Lock Tight Fuses for 12 volt battery Gear and Axle Lubricant Extra Fuses for 12V Battery Cable Ties

Programming and Controls resources st/ftc st/ftc box box

Where to find vital resources & updates. resources/ resources/