FTC Florida News - November 5, 2009

Hello Teams,

Topics in this email include:
1. Minotaur Madness Build-it/Practice Day
2. Field Control System Software
3. FIRST Consent and Release Form
4. Coach and Mentor Recognition
5. Qualification Tournament Assignments
6. Tournament Tips

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1. Minotaur Madness Build-it/Practice Day - Saturday, November 7, 2009
url=http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=4&u=14477973][/url]Minotaur Madness Build-it/Practice Day is quickly approaching. FTC teams are invited to bring their robots to this free event at Middleton High School in Tampa for a day of taking robots to the next level. Technical volunteers will be on-hand to help teams with software, electrical and hardware problems or to provide design inspiration. I attended a scrimmage at FIRST HQ this past weekend. Teams arrived with a robots in a variety of states including: a box of parts all the way up to an almost functioning robot. We spent much of the day helping teams with their robots and conducting robot inspections. At the end of the day we played practice matches until the lights were turned off. Every team left the scrimmage with much improved robots and a sense of direction. I expect teams attending Minotaur Madness will have the same experience.

A flyer for Minotaur Madness is attached.

It isn't too late to RSVP for this event. Send an email to michael.coleman@flfirst.org if you would like to join on Saturday, November 7th.

The schedule and location are:

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Teams arrive
4:00 p.m. - Event ends

Volunteers will be available to help teams, conduct mock-robot inspections and the Hot Shot! playing field will be available for practice.

Middleton High School
4801 N 22nd St
Tampa, FL 33610-6207

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2. Field Control System Software
Teams need to download and practice using the 2009 Field Control System (FCS) software. Robots participating in matches at all competitions will be controlled by their own team's computer running the FCS software. The FCS should be used for practice at home to prepare for competitions. Download the FCS here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/content.aspx?id=14925

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3. FIRST Consent and Release Form
Students, coaches and mentors attending FTC tournaments are required to complete and turn-in the attached Consent and Release Form during team check-in.

Also remember to bring safety glasses for all the members of your team including: coaches, mentors and guests that would like to visit the pit area. Everyone around the playing fields or in the pit area are required to wear closed toed shoes.

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4. Coach and Mentor Recognition
If you haven't sent me your list of coaches and mentors there is still time. The list will be used to print FIRST recognition certificates and order 2009 Coach/Mentor pins. Please use the attached Excel file to send the list of coaches and mentors for your team to michael.coleman@flfirst.org.

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5. Qualification Tournament Assignments
Qualification tournament assignments will be emailed to teams in a few days. We delayed assigning teams to all but the first tournament due to the cancellation of the competition on January 23rd. I am very happy to report that we have found a new tournament host and we will hold a qualifying tournament in Melbourne on January 23rd!

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6. Tournament Tips
- Robot Self Inspection - Conduct a robot self inspection using the robot inspection form located in section 9 of the Hot Shot! Game Manual prior to each tournament.
- Scouting - Teams should devote a significant amount of time watching qualification matches at tournaments. Knowing the strategies, strengths and weaknesses of robots is valuable information that will help teams develop strategies tailored to their alliance partner and opponents.

Michael Coleman
FTC Affiliate Partner for Florida

Florida FTC Online:
Web Site: www.flfirst.org
Forum: flftc.forumotion.com
FTC Twitter: twitter.com/FLFirst
Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168549705513