After arriving in St. Louis, the pit crew headed straight for the dome. They were able to get everything assembled and have 6 hours this morning to work out some minor issues and get inspected.
The rest of the team checked into the hotel drove into St. Louis. Unfortunately the workshop we wanted to attend was at capacity so we ended up watching the opening ceremonies for FLL (FIRST Lego League). It's great to see the young ones being excited and having fun.
Late dinner at Steak "N Shake and lights out.
I'll try to put an update later this morning.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The Night (well the morning) Before The Championship
Up early preparing for our flight to St. Louis. We took our tools, spare parts, and improved shooter up to SPAM in Stuart yesterday. They are making the trip via charter bus and graciously offered to transport our things.
We get in St. Louis at 3:30PM. Mr. Cosme, Joel, Josh, Cory and Daniel will immediately head to the Dome and begin putting Sonny together. They'll also have Thursday morning to get it ready.
Qualifying matches start Thursday afternoon at 1PM. FIRST has released a preliminary match list which you can find here. When the page loads, search for "1251". Use the match number as a reference to determine if the field is on schedule. Remember, this is a preliminary list, it could change. I will post a follow-up to confirm this is good. If it does change, I will send the new one.
The webcast can be found here. Click on the "Newton" field icon to watch the action. The links aren't live yet and the names will appear when they do go live.
I will give a recap of the days events each evening so check back then.
Wish us luck!
We get in St. Louis at 3:30PM. Mr. Cosme, Joel, Josh, Cory and Daniel will immediately head to the Dome and begin putting Sonny together. They'll also have Thursday morning to get it ready.
Qualifying matches start Thursday afternoon at 1PM. FIRST has released a preliminary match list which you can find here. When the page loads, search for "1251". Use the match number as a reference to determine if the field is on schedule. Remember, this is a preliminary list, it could change. I will post a follow-up to confirm this is good. If it does change, I will send the new one.
The webcast can be found here. Click on the "Newton" field icon to watch the action. The links aren't live yet and the names will appear when they do go live.
I will give a recap of the days events each evening so check back then.
Wish us luck!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Back again
As you can see, my last post was during week 3 of build season i.e. Saturday, 1/26. Well, fast forward 12 weeks and here we are! It feels like I got caught in a time warp.
Much has happened - here's a recap.
We finished the robot (sort of), competed in Orlando (sort of), and came limping home. I won't dwell on our performance in Central Florida but suffice it to say we had our issues.
Not to be deterred, everyone went to work and got ready for our hometown competition the weekend of 3/29 & 3/30. With an improved machine and renewed spirit, we held our own and managed to get picked by the first seeded alliance. As a result, we are on our way to St. Louis as winners of the South Florida Regional.
Needless to say it's been a hectic 3 weeks since. The team is working long hours to make Sonny (more on that later) even better, planning for the trip is a full time job, and raising additional $$ to help offset costs is ongoing. BTW, if you would like to contribute to the cause, please contact me. No amount is too small.
As you can see above, I referred to the robot as "Sonny". It is with great sadness that I must report that Salvatore "Sonny" Fazio, founder of our sponsor Sonny's Enterprises, Inc. lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday of this past week. I can't put into words what he and the team at Sonny's has meant to us. But beyond that, he was unselfish, giving, caring and just a great guy. Please click here to read a short memorial about Mr. Fazio. In his honor, we will name the robot "Sonny".
We fly out Wednesday, 4/24 for St. Louis with 15 students and 3 chaperones. It will be a busy 4 days, but that's all that's left.
Here's a link to the Championship website. If you scroll down and click on "Watch Live" it will take you to the webcast page. You will be able to click on one of the FRC field icons when they are live. At that point the field names will change to "Newton" (our field), Curie, Archimedes, and Galileo.
That's it for now. Have to get back to planning for the trip. Will write more soon.
Enjoy the pics.
Much has happened - here's a recap.
We finished the robot (sort of), competed in Orlando (sort of), and came limping home. I won't dwell on our performance in Central Florida but suffice it to say we had our issues.
Not to be deterred, everyone went to work and got ready for our hometown competition the weekend of 3/29 & 3/30. With an improved machine and renewed spirit, we held our own and managed to get picked by the first seeded alliance. As a result, we are on our way to St. Louis as winners of the South Florida Regional.
Needless to say it's been a hectic 3 weeks since. The team is working long hours to make Sonny (more on that later) even better, planning for the trip is a full time job, and raising additional $$ to help offset costs is ongoing. BTW, if you would like to contribute to the cause, please contact me. No amount is too small.
As you can see above, I referred to the robot as "Sonny". It is with great sadness that I must report that Salvatore "Sonny" Fazio, founder of our sponsor Sonny's Enterprises, Inc. lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday of this past week. I can't put into words what he and the team at Sonny's has meant to us. But beyond that, he was unselfish, giving, caring and just a great guy. Please click here to read a short memorial about Mr. Fazio. In his honor, we will name the robot "Sonny".
We fly out Wednesday, 4/24 for St. Louis with 15 students and 3 chaperones. It will be a busy 4 days, but that's all that's left.
Here's a link to the Championship website. If you scroll down and click on "Watch Live" it will take you to the webcast page. You will be able to click on one of the FRC field icons when they are live. At that point the field names will change to "Newton" (our field), Curie, Archimedes, and Galileo.
That's it for now. Have to get back to planning for the trip. Will write more soon.
Enjoy the pics.
South Florida Regional Champions
Sonny ready for action
the Pit Crew
The Spirit is Alive!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Week 3 recap
Hello all.
Well here it is the end of week 3. It always seems to slow down at this point in the season but there really is alot going on.
- Our hotel reservations for Orlando are confirmed. We're staying at the Crestwood Suites on University Dr. - about 10 minutes from the venue. I have a few extra rooms both doubles and Queens. If there are any parents that would like to stay with us let me know day(s) and room type.
-Speaking of Orlando, dates of the regional are Thursday, 3/7 - Saturday, 3/9. We'll leave at 12:30PM on Wednesday, 3/6 and return on Saturday, 3/9 around 9PM.
- We will participating in a robot demonstration on Saturday, 2/16 in Weston as part of a Boy Scout Camporee. I will send out details as they become available.
- The Coconut Creek Butterfly and Business Expo is on Saturday, 2/23 and barring a rain out (as in the pas we'll be at that as well.
Last Tuesday, students from Team 4592, McArthur High School, came up for help with their control system. I would like to recognize Joel Cosme and his father, Enrique for spending several hours working with them getting everything setup so they could have a functioning robot. They also shared their strategy and robot design. David Guzman gave them some helpful tips on the mechanical side. Finally, we will be working with them towards their goal of winning the Rookie All-Star award.
Well here it is the end of week 3. It always seems to slow down at this point in the season but there really is alot going on.
- CADing continues
- Parts are being made
- Prototyping different ideas
- Ordering parts and material
- Payment sent for South Florida Regional
- Field trip paperwork
- Our hotel reservations for Orlando are confirmed. We're staying at the Crestwood Suites on University Dr. - about 10 minutes from the venue. I have a few extra rooms both doubles and Queens. If there are any parents that would like to stay with us let me know day(s) and room type.
-Speaking of Orlando, dates of the regional are Thursday, 3/7 - Saturday, 3/9. We'll leave at 12:30PM on Wednesday, 3/6 and return on Saturday, 3/9 around 9PM.
- We will participating in a robot demonstration on Saturday, 2/16 in Weston as part of a Boy Scout Camporee. I will send out details as they become available.
- The Coconut Creek Butterfly and Business Expo is on Saturday, 2/23 and barring a rain out (as in the pas we'll be at that as well.
Last Tuesday, students from Team 4592, McArthur High School, came up for help with their control system. I would like to recognize Joel Cosme and his father, Enrique for spending several hours working with them getting everything setup so they could have a functioning robot. They also shared their strategy and robot design. David Guzman gave them some helpful tips on the mechanical side. Finally, we will be working with them towards their goal of winning the Rookie All-Star award.
Helping McArthur High School students
A couple of future engineers?
Hmm...they don't look very busy
Teamwork!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Week 2 recap
It's been kind of slow this week what with exams and all, but progress is still being made:
- Some parts are being made
- The pyramid goal is complete
- Work has begun on a scouting program
- As reported in the first weeks recap, CADing of the robot was underway. However, a major change was being discussed as of 10PM last night. Stay tuned...
A few snap shots of the week:
- Some parts are being made
- The pyramid goal is complete
- Work has begun on a scouting program
- As reported in the first weeks recap, CADing of the robot was underway. However, a major change was being discussed as of 10PM last night. Stay tuned...
A few snap shots of the week:
Working on the scouting program
Making the parts
Future engineers
Putting final touches on pyramid goal
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Week 1 recap
The first week of the 2013 build season is but a fading memory. Much was accomplished - here's what happened:
- Our game strategy is set
- Frisbee shooter design has evolved but looks solid now
- Floor collection method looks good
- The general design of the robot is set and the CADing process has commenced
- Field goals and human loading station are assembled
- Gearboxes are being assembled and broken in
The highlight of the week was the presentation of a check to TechTiger Robotics for $3500. This was a grant awarded to us by The Dart Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of The Dart Container Corp. Ms. Alicia Pascua delivered the good news personally.
Great job by everyone working hard and contributing to the effort.
I'll post an update the middle of this coming week.
Here's a few pics from the last week:
- Our game strategy is set
- Frisbee shooter design has evolved but looks solid now
- Floor collection method looks good
- The general design of the robot is set and the CADing process has commenced
- Field goals and human loading station are assembled
- Gearboxes are being assembled and broken in
The highlight of the week was the presentation of a check to TechTiger Robotics for $3500. This was a grant awarded to us by The Dart Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of The Dart Container Corp. Ms. Alicia Pascua delivered the good news personally.
Great job by everyone working hard and contributing to the effort.
I'll post an update the middle of this coming week.
Here's a few pics from the last week:
Friday, January 4, 2013
'Twas the Night Before Kickoff
That's right - it's finally here!
The Kit of Parts are in South Florida for the 22 teams that will be attending kickoff tomorrow. There are 5 rookie teams joining us this year.
TechTigers are meeting at Sonny's and, as in the past, after viewing the unveiling of the game challenge, the team will be broken into groups to discuss first thoughts and possible game strategy.
Stay tuned as I will keep everyone up to date on our progress over the next 6 weeks.
A conversation I overheard:
Mentor to student: "You have fun when you win don't you?"
Students' response: "Yes"
Mentor: "Then let's go have some fun!"
Ok, TechTigers, let's go have some FUN!
The Kit of Parts are in South Florida for the 22 teams that will be attending kickoff tomorrow. There are 5 rookie teams joining us this year.
TechTigers are meeting at Sonny's and, as in the past, after viewing the unveiling of the game challenge, the team will be broken into groups to discuss first thoughts and possible game strategy.
Stay tuned as I will keep everyone up to date on our progress over the next 6 weeks.
A conversation I overheard:
Mentor to student: "You have fun when you win don't you?"
Students' response: "Yes"
Mentor: "Then let's go have some fun!"
Ok, TechTigers, let's go have some FUN!
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