Freight Frenzy Coach Email Volume 8: 10/5/21 – First Coaches Chat this Thursday at 7:00 pm
Greetings Coaches & Mentors!
If you are new to this email this is the place where you will find all of the Washington specific FIRST Tech Challenge information. Coaches in the FIRST system for the FREIGHT FRENZY season will be added weekly. 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 are the updates I have for you today.
- First FTC Coaches Chat 7:00 pm Thursday, Oct 7
- Remote build session this Saturday, Oct 9
- Onshape workshop, session three tonight at 6:30 pm
- Schedule for FTC Tuesday’s with Kevin
First FTC coaches chat 7:00 pm Thursday, October 7, try to have one adult attend if possible
We will be having our first coaches chat next Thursday, October 7 at 7:00 pm. At that meeting we will talk about what the season looks like, COVID protocols as we currently know them and hear from all of you! Feel free to forward the meeting info to any coaches or mentors that you would like to attend the meeting.
Among other things we will be discussing:
- League & Interleague event dates
- Event size plans
- Current remote league plans
- COVID policies for events
General FIRST WA Zoom Account is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: FTC Coaches Chat
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83846694396?pwd=SGNWeVpiZFVreTd4b1Y5WWJhL1g0Zz09
Meeting ID: 838 4669 4396
Passcode: 128537
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Meeting ID: 838 4669 4396
Passcode: 128537
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdj51hKBaa
We will be hosting a remote build session Saturday, Oct 9from 10 am – 1 pm, drop in for as long as you are able!
Kevin Ross & Kevin Emery will be on hand along with experienced mentors will be online ready to help you navigate all of the intricacies of building a robot. Teams can get help with:
- Design
- Construction Tecnhology
- Debugging software/hardware
- Programming
- much more!
The format will be an “open house” format so feel free to drop in for however long you like. meeting information is listed below, please pass on to you students & mentors:
General FIRST WA Zoom Account is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85611118152?pwd=VitjQUZ6QzQxdTMvZVJ6Z05EMk90Zz09
Meeting ID: 856 1111 8152
Passcode: ILoveFIRST
Wonderful learning opportunity for FTC & FRC Mentors & Students who are interested in Design!
We are going to do a class about Onshape for three evenings starting next Tuesday (9/28/21), Thursday (9/30/21), and Tuesday (10/5/21). Each of these days the session will be from 6:30pm to 8pm. If you would like to take a guided tour through Onshape and how it will work for your team, you are welcome to join. We will record these sessions if you can’t make them.
Tue 9/28: We will assemble a simple robot using existing parts to learn about libraries and assemblies so your team can make very fast progress. We will learn how to import parts from vendors like AndyMark and Rev Robotics. We will see how to find parts using public sources.
Thu 9/30: Creating our own parts using the CAD functions of Onshape. We will see about part studios, extrusions, sharing dimensions, referencing other parts for dimensions, and editing in context.
Tue 10/5: Creating our own library parts using configurable parts and other Onshape features.
Topic: Onshape guided tutorial
Time: 6:30pm to 8pm Tuesday 9/28, Thu 9/30, Tue 10/5
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82913817510?pwd=SEZPeC9UQmk2dkpWRFFsaXdkaWxvdz09
Meeting ID: 829 1381 7510
Passcode: NerdyTalk
If you are interested, there is a signup form below.
https://forms.gle/kTc9tmfwmgbQbCer6
Things you will probably want to have for the first session
1) A computer with a mouse. You want a mouse with a left and right button, and scroll wheel. Track pads on computers work poorly for this. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005EJH6RW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NB9TWECNX0A3Y0DFSSER is a $8 mouse that would work just fine if you need to buy one. For a computer, most computers will work fine for this, even Chromebooks, but you will need a mouse. Onshape no longer supports tablets. Recommend using the Chrome browser. There are issues with some off brand browsers.
2) Signup for an Onshape account. A quick video about that: https://youtu.be/sQ_Nza4ZnQ8
3) Send an email to FIRST@ptc.com and request access to the “FTC Robotics Parts Users” team. You should do this a day or two in advance of the class, it takes a little time.
Please signup by Monday evening on this form so I can add your email account to the shared libraries.
FTC Tuesday’s With Kevin 5:00 – 6:30 pm every Tuesday
This year Kevin is plans to organize various topics for his Tuesday afternoon workshops and we plan to post those topics and descriptions at the end of our regular team blast. Here is the information for the this weeks Tuesday’s with Kevin!
10/5/21 – Making custom parts in Aluminum. Sometimes when you build a robot, you need a part that just doesn’t exist in your kit. Many teams have access to high school or machine shops. Many are using 3D printers. What if you don’t? We will spend about 30 minutes talking about how you can make some custom aluminum parts for your robot using typical household tools (drills, hacksaws, and a printer). Kevin will demonstrate some techniques to get a good precision part using very common tools. It is all in the technique!
10-12: Kevin Ross is going to chat with the teams from Saturday’s FTC Build Session to pick the topic for next week so if you are interested in providing input for the 10-12 session, drop in and have a chat with Kevin!
Here is the link to join the meetings. The link will stay the same from week to week. Feel free to forward this info to the students & mentors on your team!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82913817510pwd=SEZPeC9UQmk2dkpWRFFsaXdkaWxvdz09
Important Dates & Deadlines
Oct 7: Coaches Chat
Oct 9: Virtual FTC Build Day
Nov 8: OSPI Grant closes (Public schools only)
Have a great week everyone!
Kevin Emery
FTC Program Delivery Partner
FIRST Washington
Adrienne Collins
Director of Programs
FIRST Washington