Charged Up Coach Email Volume 7: 10-4-22 – 2nd preferencing window opens on Thursda

Greetings Coaches!

If you are new to this email this is the place where you will find all of the Pacific NW District specific FIRST Robotics Competition information. Coaches in the FIRST system for the current season will be added once teams are able to register for events. Every email from me will be numbered and that number lets you know which update it is, if you miss an update you can find it on our website.

Here is what I have for you today:

• 2nd Preferencing window opens this Thursday at 9:00 am
• If you are event ready – don’t change coaches on your dashboard
• Reminders
• Kickoff selection is open (New kickoff location coming soon!)
• Drive base opt out is open until October 20
• Black Tote opt out opens Thursday (10-6)
• The next Coaches Chat will be Thursday, October 20
• Bordie React is still looking for teams!
• Onshape training with Kevin every Tuesday & Wednesday

 

Preferencing window opens Thursday at 9:00 am

The 2nd preferencing window opens at 9:00 am this Thursday. It is almost identical to the first preferencing window but you are no longer guaranteed your home event, so if you did not pick it the first time around and pick it this time, you are subject to availability at the venue.

Here is a guide that helps to explain how event preferencing works.

The 2nd event preferencing window closes at 9 am on Thursday, October 14. Teams should be notified of their event placement by the end of the day on Friday, October 15. Any team waitlisted will be moved off the waitlist or receive an email with their options on Monday, October 18.

Reminders:

Kickoff selection is open!

Make sure you go in and select your kickoff, we have several in both Washington and Oregon. Additionally, we have a new kickoff venue coming in Everett so if you are a north end team, watch for that event to show up in your dashboard.

If you don’t sign up for a kickoff, your kit will be shipped to you after kickoff and you will be responsible for the shipping costs.

If you don’t want to attend an event but don’t want your kit shipped to you, you can sign up for a kickoff event and then send a mentor to pick up the kit during the kit distribution window (make sure you understand that process and what needs to be done if it is not your main or alternate contactact who picks up the kit)

Drive base opt out is open until October 20

If you do not  want the AndyMark drive base, you have until October 20 to opt out of the drive base and get the AndyMark voucher.

Black Tote opt out opens this Thursday, October 6

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to read the blog from last week:  https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/2022-second-event-registration-black-tote-opt-out-kit-and-kickoff-selection

The next FRC Coaches chat 7:00 pm Thursday, October 20

We will be having our next FRC coaches chat at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Oct 20th. On this chat we will:

1. Let you know how FRC registration is going
2. Talk about the invoicing process
3. Let you know about anything happening in the PNW District this fall.

This is a great way to keep up on important information and connect with other PNW Coaches. We do ask that each team try to have on adult attend.

Here is the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88652899479?pwd=ZjNDVnMwNTY4aE9uRkcyNzhvSWYvdz09

I look forward to “seeing” you all there!

Bordie React spots still available!

 

Team 2412 the Robototes and Bordie want to welcome you to Bellevue on the 15^th and 16^th for Bordie React! We have 10 slots available for teams, registration will stay open until the 12^th for last minute entries. We also welcome second bots from any team attending, which would give students a chance to drive and be behind the glass for an off-season and drive team trials. Come on by and see how the Robototes and Bordie 👏 React! Register at www.bordiereact.com or email dooleyl@bsd405.org

Onshape with Kevin every Tuesday & Wednesday

Onshape CAD Tuesday with Kevin (Tuesdays 7pm to 8:30pm)

Onshape CAD Wednesday with Kevin (Wednesday 6:30pm to 8:00pm)

Online help learning about CAD using Onshape. This 90 minute session will help get you started and help solve your CAD issues using Onshape. Many of the techniques will apply to other CAD programs as well, but this one will specifically use Onshape. Learn about assemblies, importing parts from vendors like Rev Robotics and AndyMark, modifying parts, creating your own parts for 3D printing, and working with a team on a project. Onshape is free for every FIRST participant and runs on a wide array of hardware because it is web based. You will, however, want a three button mouse. Specifically, a mouse with a left and right button plus a center scrolling mouse button. You can get one for about $6 from Amazon prime. CAD programs work very poorly on laptops with finger pads (trackpads).

Onshape CAD will be applicable to both FTC and FRC. All are welcome.

 

The first week (9/13 and 9/14) both days will focus on getting you and your team setup to use Onshape in an efficient way, demos on what the program does, and a tour of where to find the tutorials and which ones to start with. I expect that Tuesday will be mostly a repeat of Wednesday.

All of these meetings start on 9/13/2022 and will be each week until December 14th. They all use the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82913817510?pwd=SEZPeC9UQmk2dkpWRFFsaXdkaWxvdz09

Meeting ID: 829 1381 7510

Passcode: NerdyTalk

We will make every attempt to record and upload these sessions to Youtube each week. Check our FIRST Washington Youtube channel and the ‘with Kevin’ playlist.

 

Have a great week everyone!