Robotics teams helping teams*
Registration for this event is found at https://www.perotmuseum.org/educators/first-lego/index.html#_qualifiersites .
Registration opens on October 14, 2019 at 10:00am.
The North Texas Regional FLL Championship will again be held at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas.
This season the North Texas Region will be holding an official Kickoff and Workshop event on September 7th from 9:30am to 12:30pm at Williams High School in Plano. The purpose of the kickoff is meet other teams and provide an overview of the FTC 2019-2020 “Skystone” season for North Texas. The kickoff event is free of charge, but because space for the event may be limited, we’re asking coaches/teams to pre-register for the event .
Overview: Doors will open at 9:00am. The kickoff will begin at 9:30am with a review and overview of the upcoming FTC season, including tournament structure, league play, and robot tips. At 11:00 CDT (12:00 EDT) we will watch the official game reveal video and unveil a full, official field setup complete with game elements. This will give teams an opportunity to see, feel, and touch the game to get a head start on the season. After the field reveal we will then provide an review of the rules in Game Manual Part II and answer any initial questions teams have about the upcoming challenge and how to get started.
Location and Parking: TBD. Maps and directions to follow.
Agenda/Topics: League play and qualifying tournament details; common robot building systems; Android and REV Robotics control platform overview; updates, upgrades, and changes from previous sesons; resources for new teams; grants; game reveal; review of 2019 game scoring and rules; practice fields and scrimmages; questions and answers.
Anderson Powerpoles: We will also have stations, equipment, and people on hand to help teams convert batteries and wires to use newer connectors.
Battery checks: If you have any older batteries, charge them up and bring them with you, as we will also be providing “battery health checks”. These are the same checks that are performed at the World Championship, they let teams know in advance which batteries are having difficulty supplying power or holding a charge.
Again, please pre-register for the event so we can keep track of space requirements.
If you have any further questions, please contact Patrick Michaud at <patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu>.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at the kickoff and throughout the upcoming season!
Cost: $120, register at UTD Marketplace.
Team 11563 Hedrick Garage and The University of Texas at Dallas are pleased to announce a “FTC Autonomous Programming Workshop” to be held June 24-27 at Lewisville High School in Lewisville. This hands-on workshop will be for FTC coaches, mentors, and team members who want to learn advanced techniques for scoring during the autonomous period.
The cost for the workshop will be $120 per participant. The workshop will be held as four morning sessions (9a-12n) on June 24-27 at Lewisville High School in Lewisville. We will provide robots, controllers, laptops, and other equipment needed for the workshop; you provide enthusiasm and Gracious Professionalism. Sessions will be facilitated by Dr. Patrick Michaud, as well as several other mentors and experts in the region and from 11563 Hedrick Garage.
Note that this is a programming-focused workshop and space is limited. We ask that team member registrations be limited to those who are expecting to be robot programmers in the upcoming season. Coaches and mentors are welcome and encouraged to sign up for this workshop as well.
The first (Monday) session will have a short introduction/refresher on basic FTC programming, but we are looking to progress fairly rapidly to some of the more advanced and useful topics for autonomous mode programming. A partial list of topics we are looking to cover:
– Installing FTC apps onto controllers
– Introduction to OnBot Java
– Autonomous navigation with encoders
– Autonomous navigation using IMU (gyro)
– Program organization / reusable code
– Finding/navigating to game elements and objects using TensorFlow
– Determining robot location using Vuforia
– Field-based navigation (line following, wall following, distance sensors)
– Driver presets, limit switches
– Gamepad programming
– Color sensing
– Other sensors (wall sensors, pressure pads)
– Holonomic drive systems (omniwheels, mecanum drives)*
– Control Hub basics*
– Sensor self-tests
(* Depending on attendance / equipment availability)
Registration for the workshop is $120. For more information, email patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu.
Space for the workshops is limited and registration is required to attend.
On campus dormitory housing is also available for $250 (up to seven nights).
For more details and registration, see the Best of Texas Robotics site at https://www.bestoftexasrobotics.org/workshops.html .
On campus dormitory housing is also available for $250 (up to seven nights).
For more details and registration, see the Best of Texas Robotics site at https://www.bestoftexasrobotics.org/workshops.html .
Presentation Slides:
Session 1 – Intro and Robot Build
Session 2 – Beginning Programming
Session 3a – Strategy, Chassis, Attachments
Session 3b / 4 – Intermediate Programming
This workshop is for coaches/mentors (adults) ONLY.
Cost: $30/session, register at UTD Marketplace
Calling all FIRST LEGO League coaches, mentors, and educators! Come brush up on your knowledge & skills during the summer break and hear proven tips for improving team performance.
UT-Dallas is once again offering summer training workshops for coaches and teachers where attendees get hands-on experience building and programming LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots. Sessions are facilitated by Dr. Patrick Michaud, renowned FIRST coach with several world-ranked teams.
Workshops will consist of four half-day sessions on September 20-21; each session will cost $30 (thus $120 to attend all four sessions). UTD will provide the robot materials, computers, and software to be used during the sessions. (Lunch is not provided, but there are many on-campus options for lunch, and we have refrigerator/microwave for those who wish to bring lunch.)
Space is limited and registration is required — registrations will generally be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Specific session topics for the FLL workshops include:
Sep 10 (9a-noon): Intro to FLL and Robot Build
– Introduction to FLL and season overview
– LEGO Mindstorms components
– Basic robot building concepts
– Assemble and test prototype robot
Sep 10 (1p-4p): Beginning FLL Programming
– Introduce Mindstorms EV3 software
– Robot navigation concepts
– Sensors for detecting lines, borders, colors
– Creating “My Blocks”
Sep 11 (9a-noon): Chassis, Attachments, Programming
– Review common game challenges
– Intermediate robot building principles
– Techniques for more competitive robots
– Common attachment types and features
– Intermediate programming: My Blocks, loop and sensor blocks, gyro-based navigation
Sep 11 (1p-4p): Programming and Tournament Prep
– Programming: line following, testing
– Tournament overview
– Tips for improving success in Core Values, Project, and Robot Design judging
To sign up for these workshops, please visit the UTD FIRST Robotics storefront at https://ezpay.utdallas.edu/
For more information regarding the workshops, please email <patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu>
Presentation Slides:
Session 1 – Intro and Robot Build
Session 2 – Beginning Programming
Session 3a – Strategy, Chassis, Attachments
Session 3b / 4 – Intermediate Programming
This workshop is for coaches/mentors (adults) ONLY.
Cost: $30/session, register at UTD Marketplace
Calling all FIRST LEGO League coaches, mentors, and educators! Come brush up on your knowledge & skills during the summer break and hear proven tips for improving team performance.
UT-Dallas is once again offering summer training workshops for coaches and teachers where attendees get hands-on experience building and programming LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots. Sessions are facilitated by Dr. Patrick Michaud, renowned FIRST coach with several world-ranked teams.
Workshops will consist of four half-day sessions on September 20-21; each session will cost $30 (thus $120 to attend all four sessions). UTD will provide the robot materials, computers, and software to be used during the sessions. (Lunch is not provided, but there are many on-campus options for lunch, and we have refrigerator/microwave for those who wish to bring lunch.)
Space is limited and registration is required — registrations will generally be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Specific session topics for the FLL workshops include:
Jul 22 (9a-noon): Intro to FLL and Robot Build
– Introduction to FLL and season overview
– LEGO Mindstorms components
– Basic robot building concepts
– Assemble and test prototype robot
Jul 22 (1p-4p): Beginning FLL Programming
– Introduce Mindstorms EV3 software
– Robot navigation concepts
– Sensors for detecting lines, borders, colors
– Creating “My Blocks”
Jul 23 (9a-noon): Chassis, Attachments, Programming
– Review common game challenges
– Intermediate robot building principles
– Techniques for more competitive robots
– Common attachment types and features
– Intermediate programming: My Blocks, loop and sensor blocks, gyro-based navigation
Jul 23 (1p-4p): Programming and Tournament Prep
– Programming: line following, testing
– Tournament overview
– Tips for improving success in Core Values, Project, and Robot Design judging
To sign up for these workshops, please visit the UTD FIRST Robotics storefront at https://ezpay.utdallas.edu/
For more information regarding the workshops, please email <patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu>
This clinic is intended for coaches/mentors (adults) ONLY.
Cost: $30/session, register at UTD Marketplace.
Calling all FIRST Tech Challenge coaches, mentors, and educators! Come brush up on your knowledge & skills and hear proven tips for improving team performance.
UT-Dallas is offering a 2-day training workshop for coaches and teachers where attendees get hands-on experience building and programming FIRST Tech Challenge Robots, including the new REV Robotics Expansion Hub controller and sensors. Sessions are facilitated by Dr. Patrick Michaud, North Texas FTC Affiliate Partner and renowned FIRST coach with several world-ranked teams.
Workshops will consist of four half-day sessions on September 17 and 18. Each session will cost $30 (thus $120 to attend all four sessions). UTD will provide the robot materials, computers, and software to be used during the workshops. (Lunch is not provided, but there are many on-campus options for lunch, and we have refrigerator/microwave for those who wish to bring lunch.)
Space is limited and registration is required — registrations will generally be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Sep 17 (9a-12n): Intro to FTC and robot construction
– Introduction to FTC and season overview
– Basic components of the REV robotics kit
– Key robot mechanical principles
– Hands-on build of a simple competition robot
Sep 17 (1p-4:30p): Beginning Programming for FTC
– Introduction to control system components (REV Robotics)
– OnBot Java programming environment
– Basic gamepad programming for navigation
– Arm and servo programming
– Touch sensors
Sep 18 (9a-12n): Intermediate programming and competition prep
– FTC competition: robot game, awards
– Engineering notebooks
– Other building systems, materials, and tools
– Autonomous mode programming
– Motor encoders
Sep 18 (1p-4:30p): Programming and building for success
– Basic game, robot design, and alliance strategies
– (Un)Successful robot designs and devices
– Principles of leverage, gears, center of gravity
– Color sensing
– Gyro/IMU sensors
– Driver automation
Registration is available via the UTD Marketplace at https://ezpay.utdallas.edu/C20239_ustores/web/classic/store_main.jsp?STOREID=135. Again, space is limited and registration will be generally first-come first-served.
For more information regarding the workshops, please email <patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu>
This clinic is intended for coaches/mentors (adults) ONLY.
Cost: $30/session, register at UTD Marketplace.
Calling all FIRST Tech Challenge coaches, mentors, and educators! Come brush up on your knowledge & skills and hear proven tips for improving team performance.
UT-Dallas is offering a 2-day training workshop for coaches and teachers where attendees get hands-on experience building and programming FIRST Tech Challenge Robots, including the new REV Robotics Expansion Hub controller and sensors. Sessions are facilitated by Dr. Patrick Michaud, North Texas FTC Affiliate Partner and renowned FIRST coach with several world-ranked teams.
Workshops will consist of four half-day sessions on July 24 and 25 Each session will cost $30 (thus $120 to attend all four sessions). UTD will provide the robot materials, computers, and software to be used during the workshops. (Lunch is not provided, but there are many on-campus options for lunch, and we have refrigerator/microwave for those who wish to bring lunch.)
Space is limited and registration is required — registrations will generally be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
July 24 (9a-12n): Intro to FTC and robot construction
– Introduction to FTC and season overview
– Basic components of the REV robotics kit
– Key robot mechanical principles
– Hands-on build of a simple competition robot
July 24 (1p-4:30p): Beginning Programming for FTC
– Introduction to control system components (REV Robotics)
– OnBot Java programming environment
– Basic gamepad programming for navigation
– Arm and servo programming
– Touch sensors
July 25 (9a-12n): Intermediate programming and competition prep
– FTC competition: robot game, awards
– Engineering notebooks
– Other building systems, materials, and tools
– Autonomous mode programming
– Motor encoders
July 25 (1p-4:30p): Programming and building for success
– Basic game, robot design, and alliance strategies
– (Un)Successful robot designs and devices
– Principles of leverage, gears, center of gravity
– Color sensing
– Gyro/IMU sensors
– Driver automation
Registration is available via the UTD Marketplace at https://ezpay.utdallas.edu/C20239_ustores/web/classic/store_main.jsp?STOREID=135. Again, space is limited and registration will be generally first-come first-served.
For more information regarding the workshops, please email <patrick.michaud@utdallas.edu>