Author: Marlene

Categories
FRC

Where Did Time Go?

I just realized that my last post to this site was January 9th.  Two days after Kick-Off.  Today, it is One WEEK past stop build day.  All I can really think of is WOW!  I am wowed, amazed, flabergasted and completely impressed that a group of boys that did not know each other two or three months ago, became a real TEAM and created a working robot, that will, in fact, accomplish the challenge laid out for them 6 or so weeks ago.  Rookie Team 4093’s robot, sits in its bag at the build site, taunting us.  It will not come out to play until practice day, March 8th!

Plans are taking shape for next year, brainstorming for new sponsors (how about you?) and fundraising opportunities has already begun.  The team is growing by leaps and bounds, mentors needed (how about you?).

We invite you to come and see us at competition March 9th and 10th.  It is free and open to the public.  You will be completely hooked!

Let’s GO!

 

Categories
FRC Updates

A BRIEF WORD ABOUT “SLACKERS”

And though “slacker” is often considered an insult or an accusation, some
choose to reclaim the term as a sign of creativity and resourcefulness.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a slacker is “a person who shirks work or obligation.” But lest we allow Webster’s to be the be-all and end-all of the English language, urbandictionary.com has a different definition; “a person who chooses the path of least resistance.”  More, “a slacker is someone who, while being intelligent, doesn’t really
feel like doing anything.” And even, “a nice person to chill with.” Slackers, it’s clear, have a knack for inertia and a way with “nothingness.”

…The term then resurfaced in the early ’90s as a way of branding those who willfully
eluded work or school. Slackers became the “loadies” of “Clueless,” the stoners of Harold and Kumar,” and the Jacks of the “Will and Grace” set. While there are several forms of slackerdom, the common ground is a commitment to willfully disregarding societal conventions and living life free of the constraints of consumerism and corporate America.

Sarah Dunn, author of the “Official Slacker Handbook,” notes that, “a lot has been said
about the slacker’s trademark indolence, but the point must be made that deliberately opting out of socially-recognized forms of activity isn’t the same thing as stumbling into inaction.” In other words, Dunn argues, slacking off isn’t just laziness–it’s pointed laziness with a philosophical basis.

These days, some of our most famous thinkers would be considered slackers. After all, Thoreau lived comfortably at Walden while only working six weeks a year and Descartes devised Cartesian geometry while hanging around the streets of Holland.

 

 

Revised from information found at:  http://vintage.gurl.com/findout/

 

 

Categories
FRC Updates

Ready…Set…Go!

Just over 111 days ago, I knew very little about the FIRST FRC program.  Now in just 11 days it is KICK-OFF for “Joe’s Average Slackers” – Orleans County’s premier robot building team.  The rookie FIRST team 4093!

Over the last few months we have researched the web, drawn from the expertise of regional reps, gotten lucky, and worked hard to build a team of HS aged students and Adult mentors that are about to embark on a challenge in which they will discover the varying degrees of success.  No matter the outcome of the competition, we already have a team of winners!

There is a lot of work to do over the next 8 weeks.  I wish you all the best as you conquer the challenge.  I am proud to work with all of you already!

LET’S DO IT!!

Categories
FRC

FRC Meeting November 3, 2011

Let’s start by saying:

CONGRATS to the Medina Varsity Soccer team on winning the Section VI, B1 Championship for the FIRST time in school history!!!

CONGRATS to the Medina HS Marching Band on their NYS Championship in Syracuse this past week too!!

It has been a great week for our friends and teammates from Medina.

Our meeting was a small group, but we did accomplish some things and have homework to accomplish more at the next meeting.

1)  Team members must go to usfirst.org and register in the STIMS system as members of team 4093.

2) Team members should spend 15 minutes a day looking at FRC related things.  Start with this site https://lego.wiksclan.com  (where you are now) and check out links to usfirst.org and others.  Also, go to youtube and watch video of previous FRC competitions.  LOOK at the robots!

3)  COMMENT on this post.  Ask a question, tell us you were here, suggest a name…  whatever, but comment so that we know you are doing your homework 🙂

4)  You HAVE to pick a nickname for your team at the next meeting.  One of the things you have to work with alot is deadlines.  SO, on November 15th you MUST have a nickname.  Google first teams and see what they are already using and brainstorm.   As I said last night, if you don’t do it, you will be forever known as the “pink ladies”.

The other plan for the next meeting is to look at a previous challenge and think about strategies for that.  You will also begin building a base from the box of parts that you looked at last night.

Congrats to the founding officers:  President, Morgan Seielstad, Vice President Ben Miller, Treasurer Kyler McQuillan and Secretary Nick Ettinger.

Categories
FLL FRC Updates

October 24, 2011

October 24, 2011

A recap of tonight….what  was said and what I wanted to say!

FLL — First Lego League (4th to 8th grade)

FRC— First Robotics Challenge (9th to 12th grade – there are some  exceptions based onconversations with parents and students regarding the rules)

 

OUR WEBSITE AND BLOG ARE LOCATED AT  https://lego.wiksclan.com/   (for information about FRC see https://frc4093.com/ )   PLEASE go there and sign up to receive  updates!!!!!  It is the best way to get information out BETWEEN meetings.

 

SPONSORSHIP 

 

Sponsorship is everyone’s responsibility.
We need about $5000 to support our upcoming FLL team(s).  We also need nearly that to support the FRC  team’s endeavors that are coming up fast.   Every donor counts!  Ask everyone,  for any amount!  Contributions are tax  deductible since they will go to the Cooperative Extension to be used by us.  They are an exempt 501 (c) (3) corp.

Our first  sponsor is an in-kind donation of rental space for the FRC build.

The second  Sponsor is purchasing an NXT kit for the FLL.

It is amazing what you can accomplish by just asking.   I am happy to help you with the brochures or if you are asked questions that  you would like help with give them my contact info, or have me call them.  robotics@wiksclan.com .  (I am Marlene Seielstad)

FLL For Now

 For Now, the  FLL group will meet once a month and learn some build and programming skills.  The challenge for them will not roll out until Sept. 2012.

In the  plans:

  • Building  a “field” Does anyone have a 4×8 sheet of plywood to donate?  ½ or ¾ (better) inch thick?  Pieces of 2×4 4ft or 8ft long?
  • A  field trip to a local FLL competition, if it can be arranged.
  • Kids  to participate in Public Presentation Days in February (presentations are part  of the FLL competition)
  • We  believe we will have the 2011 challenge board in early December (Hand me down  from another team)
  • They  will meet once a month for now.
  • I  promise to give them more attention once the FRC team and mentors are in place  (since there roll out is Jan 7th – yikes!)

FRC—

 First—- Can anyone go on Saturday (this week 29th)?  I know it is short notice.  As of now we have one car leaving to go for the day and one car that will go for the afternoon.  We have room. Mentors and team members that can make time WILL learn a lot, guaranteed.   More info is at http://www.ruckus.penfieldrobotics.com/ruckus-information/
We have a ton of stuff to do!

We need:

  • A Name  (ie; Orleans Storm, First Team 4093)
  • A shirt Color (green, red, purple, pink…get it)
  • A logo for us.

JANUARY 7TH NEEDS TO BE ON YOUR CALENDAR
 

We need to plan a build schedule:

 FRC–FEED BACK PLEASE

 I would like to  schedule with the least amount of conflicts for everyone and the sooner we nail  down the build schedule the better.  Other teams have a schedule that is 2.5 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on Saturday.  Does that work for us?  Do we want 2 hours and 7 hours.  I need your input and then will create something that works so everyone can come most of the time.  Information regarding how early you can  arrive and how late you can stay would be helpful.  If you have a commitment on a specific day of  the week, what time?

I know that  everyone will not make every meeting, but if you can make most of them, or come  late or leave early…  Scheduling will be  the hardest part, but we still want everyone to participate to whatever level  they are able.  During the build we will
do time cards so that when positions are selected for competition we will have
a deciding factor if we need it.  Hours  spent doing work at home and documented will count also.

Team Members should:

Become familiar with www.usfirst.org   go to the FRC tab and look around.  Look at past challenge info.  READ, READ, READ…

We have some awesome mentors that have signed up to help, with a fabulous set of skills!!  Thank you in advance for your willingness and availability!!!!

MEETING SCHEDULE:

EVERYONE: Shifts during the afternoon of December 3rd to be determined at Meeting 11/15

FLL:

Tuesday, November 15th Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

Monday December 12th, December Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

FRC:

Thursday, November 3rd Education Center Classroom, 6:30-800pm

Tuesday, November 15th   Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

Monday, November 28th Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

Wednesday, December 7th Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

Monday December 12th, Education Center Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm

We will be picking a couple of meeting times over the Holiday break to set  up the build site, when we can be there for a few productive hours.

FRC—JANUARY 7TH ALL DAY!!!

 PLEASE email me with any questions or comments.  The meeting schedule uses different days; we are trying to see what works best for everyone.

Categories
FRC News

October 22nd training news… FRC Kids–What are you doing Oct 29th??

Saturday, October 22nd, Erik, Morgan and I attended a regional FIRST training session.  I attended the NEMO (non engineering mentor org) side, while Erik and Morgan received some PTC training.  All of that is news we can use, I am sure.

But, outside of the training sessions, I garnished some great information as well!  There is a competition in Webster next Saturday.  We would like to go and take some or all of our HS aged (FRC) kids with us.   We have been invited (IF you bring safety glasses) into the pits by more than one team.  They even implied they would let you drive!  Email robotics@wiksclan.com if you can go.  We will also talk about it Monday, but the sooner we know the better.  The event is all day, we could go for all or part of the day.

See you tomorrow!

 

Categories
FRC Sponsorship

WOO HOO!!!

The FRC rookie team has received a $6500 grant from JCPenney. This directly pay for our registration and qualifying event!   We are off and running!!!!