2018 FTC / FLL Workshops

FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST LEGO League Teams and Coaches!

You are invited to the Battle O’ Baltimore, an Off-Season FIRST Robotics Competition Event at the McDonogh School.

Enjoy the ‘big robot’ game, PowerUp!, and free workshops to help prepare you for the season.  A few sessions have limited enrollment, and require sign-up using the links below.  Other sessions will be first-come, first-served. It will help us plan if we have an idea of interest level.  You can email FTCVolunteersMD@gmail.com to ask questions, indicate interest in a session, or offer to join in a panel.  The overall schedule for the day is shown, followed by some session descriptions.

Room TimeEnd TimeFTC Sessions A - Naylor BuildingFLL Sessions - Naylor BuildingFTC Meetings / Sessions - Naylor BuildingFTC Sessions Interactive - TBD
9:00 AM10:00 AMConnections, Configuration, and Coding (Wizards.exe)

Registration Required (click here)
Tentative – Robot build / mechanical and Robot in 3 days demo robots
10:00 AM 11:00 AMFTC Veteran Volunteers Working Group (Invitation)
11:00 AM12:00 PMFLL Project (Rockville Robotics)

Registration Requierd, click here
12:00 PM12:30 PMLunch
12:30 PM1:30 PMBuilding Blocks for a Drive Team (Wizards.exe)EV3 setupFundraising for FTC (TBD)Game Rules and Strategy (Jeff Kelbick)
1:30 PM2:30 PMBuilding Blocks for a Drive Team (Wizards.exe)EV3 Coach Training (Rockville Robotics)

Registration Required - click here
Competition Day and Judging for Rookie FTC Teams (TBD)Game Rules and Strategy (Jeff Kelbick)
2:30 PM3:30 PMAsk a Veteran – open discussion with FTC mentors (open session)

Connections, Configuration, and Coding (3 hours – registration required)

FTC, Room A, 9 am – 12 pm

Rookie FTC Teams – Bring your laptop, control system, phones and whatever kit you plan to use this season, and walk away with a working robot.  FTC Team 9794, Wizards.exe, has a proven introductory session and experienced team members willing and able to get you up and running.  Anyone is welcome, from rookie to veteran. Registration is required, and seats are limited.  Please limit registration to four members of an FTC team.  This session will not repeat on Sep 22, but may be scheduled again if there is sufficient demand.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-ftc-workshops-3-hour-intro-tickets-49887331351

Building Blocks for a Drive Team (1 hour – open session, repeats)

FTC, Room A, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm and 1:30 pm-2:30 pm

FTC Teams use a variety of chassis designs, each with a unique advantage.  Investigate drive systems with a veteran team, and take away your own reflections for this season.  Rookies and veterans welcome!

Ask a Veteran – open discussion with FTC mentors (1 hour – open session)

FTC, Room A, 2:30 pm-3:30 pm

A panel of experienced mentors will lead a discussion of topics from team organization to robot design to travel arrangements for FTC teams.  Come share and meet others who share your passion for FTC.

FLL Project (1 hour – registration required)

FLL, Room B, 11 am – 12 pm

This session is recommended for new and returning FLL Coaches who are interested in enhancing the team’s experience and success in the Project. This year the theme is space-based and sure to excite.  Come share ideas and ask Rockville Robotics FLL coaches about their experiences from qualifiers through international competitions.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-fll-project-coach-training-tickets-49907384330

EV3 Coach Training (2 hours – registration required)

FLL, Room B, 1:30-3:30

FLL coaches and team members (up to four per team) can bring their EV3 base robot and laptop running EV3 to learn all the basics needed for a FIRST LEGO League team to compete in this season of “Into Orbit”.  A few robots may be available to borrow, but it is highly recommended that teams come with their own equipment to get the most out of this session. You will learn to program the robot, the basics of sensor use common to FLL and some strategies for choosing and accomplishing missions.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-ev3-intro-for-fll-coaches-and-teams-tickets-49906290057

FTC Veteran Volunteers Working Group (1 hour, Invitation)

FTC, Room C, 11 am – 12 pm

Veteran volunteers involved in FIRST Tech Challenge will be meeting to discuss interest in forming a working group to assist with volunteers and events this season.  Contact Rose Young (rmyoung.pie3@gmail) if you would like to attend and have not yet received an invitation, or would like to call in.

Fundraising for FTC (1 hour, open session)

FTC or FLL, Room C, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

All FIRST Teams need to raise funds to operate.  This session will be adapted from presentations for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams with experience in running fundraisers, seeking grants and setting financial expectations.  Though intended for FTC, FLL teams are welcome.

Competition Day and Judging for Rookie FTC Teams (1 hour, open session)

FTC, Room C, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

All FIRST Teams need to raise funds to operate.  This session will be adapted from presentations for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams with experience in running fundraisers, seeking grants and setting financial expectations.  Though intended for FTC, FLL teams are welcome.

Mechanical Design Showcase/Robot Demo (3 hours, open session)

FTC, Room D, 9 am – 12 pm

Five veteran teams will participate in a Robot in 3 Days (Ri3D) challenge, culminating in a “Build Bash on September 16th, open to viewing teams from 2- 4 pm at STAR Academy, 2032 Greenspring Dr, Lutherville-Timonium, MD.  For those unable to make it to the “Bash”, we are inviting the Ri3D teams to showcase their work, hopefully on the McDonogh FTC Team field.  This session is a work in progress, and further details will be shared as available.

Game Rules and Strategy (1-2 hours, drop in)

FTC, Room D, 1:30-3:30

At least one Maryland referee knowledgeable in the Rover Ruckus rules will be available to answer team questions about the fine points of the rules.  Hopefully, this will take place on a full field. If possible, Robot Inspectors may also be available and you can bring robots or ask questions related to design options.