by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 6, 2014 | Blog
Inventor and FIRST Founder Dean Kamen launched the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) season on January 4th with the Kickoff of a new robotics game called AERIAL ASSIST to nearly 70,000 high-school students on more than 2,700 teams in 92 cities around the globe via live NASA-TV broadcast and webcast. At each Kickoff location, students were shown the AERIAL ASSIST playing field and received a Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, a control system, a PC, and a mix of automation components – and only limited instructions.
6 Weeks to Design, Build and Test Robots
Stop Build Deadline is February 18th
Working with adult mentors, students will have only six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season’s engineering challenge. The Stop Build deadline is on February 18th at midnight. Once these young inventors build a robot, their teams will participate in one or more of the 98 Regional and District competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students.
6 Regional FIRST Robotics Competitions in California
About AERIAL ASSIST
AERIAL ASSIST is played by two competing Alliances of three robots each on a flat 25’ x 54’ foot field, straddled by a truss suspended just over five feet above the floor. The objective is to score as many balls in goals as possible during a two (2)-minute and 30-second match. The more Alliances score their ball in their goals, and the more they work together to do it, the more points their Alliance receives.
The match begins with one 10-second Autonomous Period in which robots operate independently of driver. Each robot may begin with a ball and attempt to score it in a goal. Alliances earn bonus points for scoring balls in this mode and for any of their robots that move in to their zones. Additionally, each high/low pair of goals will be designated “hot” for five seconds, but the order of which side is first is randomized. For each ball scored in a “hot” goal, the Alliance earns additional bonus points.
For the rest of the match, drivers remotely control robots from behind a protective wall. Once all balls in autonomous are scored, only one ball is re-entered in to play, and the Alliances must cycle a single ball as many times as possible for the remainder of the match. With the single ball, they try to maximize their points earned by throwing balls over the truss, catching balls launched over the truss, and scoring in the high and low goals on the far side of the field.
Alliances receive large bonuses for “assists,” which are earned for each robot that has possession of the ball in a zone as the ball moves down the field. Points are awarded for each action per the table below.
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 3, 2014 | Blog, Featured News
THE TOP 20 FRC TEAMS IN CALIFORNIA
Pre-Kickoff Rankings
Voters Poll
The ‘Voters Poll’ is a voted on by a selected panel of team mentors from across the state of California. Each week, the panel submits their list of who they think are the top 15 teams in the state. A 1st place vote is worth 15 points, 2nd place vote is worth 14 points, 3rd place vote is worth 13 points, etc. Teams are then ranked based on who has the highest point total after all the votes have been submitted.
OPR Poll
The ‘OPR Poll’ is based on who has the highest Offensive Power Rating (OPR) in the state of California. OPR is a way of looking at a team’s estimated contribution to their alliance’s score. This is not the same as average score since that assumes that each team is equally contributing to an alliances score. Instead, OPR takes into account all the alliances a team has played on. A team’s highest OPR score will be used in the poll.
Standard Points Poll
The ‘Standard Points Poll” is based on the FRC Standard District Point Ranking System that was announced in the fall of 2013. This is the same system that is being used by all four ‘regions’ during the 2014 FRC season. The system ranks teams based on the four components of an event: Qualification, Alliance Selection, Elimination and Awards. An explanation of how teams earn points can be found here.
If a team plays at only 1 regional, their score will be doubled. If a team plays at 3 regionals, only their first two regionals will count toward their points total. All events will be normalized to 12 qualification matches. Teams that compete at the FIRST Championship will have their championship points added to their season total. All points earned at the Championship will be worth 3x.
Combined Poll
The ‘Combined Poll’ is a aggregate poll that takes into account the three polls listed above. The ‘Voters Poll’, ‘OPR Poll’ and ‘Standard Points Poll’ are treated as voters in the ‘Combined Poll’. The results of the ‘Voters Poll’ will make up 50% of the points while the ‘OPR Poll’ and ‘Standard Points Poll’ will each make up 25%.
Mathematically it works like this:
Pv = 2 * (21 – Rv)
Po = (21 – Ro)
Ps = (21 – Rs)
Pc = Pv + Po + Ps
Pv / Po / Ps = The points a team receives for being in a poll. If a team is not ranked in that poll, they will received 0 points.
Rv / Ro / Rs = A team’s rank in a poll.
Pc = Total combined points. The team with the highest Pc will be ranked 1st in the ‘Combined Poll’.
For example:
Team X is 10th in the ‘Voters Poll’, 2nd in the ‘OPR Poll’ and 15th in the ‘Standard Points Poll’. they will earn to total of 47 points for the ‘Combined Poll’ (22 from the ‘Voters Poll’, 19 from the ‘OPR Poll’ and 6 from the ‘Standard Points Poll’
Team Y is 1st in the ‘Voters Poll’, 10th in the ‘OPR Poll’ and 3rd in the ‘Standard Points Poll’. They would receive a total of 69 points for the ‘Combined Poll’ (40 from the ‘Voters Poll’, 11 from the ‘OPR Poll’ and 18 from the ‘Standard Points Poll’
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 31, 2013 | Blog
On this final day of National Mentoring Month, we are highlighting 5 mentors who were honored as Woodie Flowers Finalist at the California FRC Regionals in 2012. A few years after helping Dean Kamen create FIRST, Dr. iphone 7 case for sale William Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award with the intent to celebrate effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. cheap iphone xs case outlet This prestigious award recognizes mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication skills.
Each year, students submit an essay nominating one mentor from their team to be considered for this award. The students describe how this mentor has given them the best understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and satisfaction involved in the discipline of engineering and design.
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Specific judging criteria are based on the team’s description of how the mentor inspired each member of the team in some or all of the following ways:
- Level of student participation
- Creativity of effort
- Clear explanation of mathematical, scientific, and engineering concepts
- Demonstration of enthusiasm for science and engineering
- Encouragement to work on projects as a team effort
- Inspiration to use problem-solving skills
- Inspiration to become an effective communicator
- Motivation through communication
AND THE WINNER IS . . . At the 2012 California Regionals there was a large number of impressive nominations. iphone xr case on sales outlet iphone 7 case Your essays described many talented, dedicated mentors. cheap iphone xr case online They spoke of sacrifice, creativity, and inspiration. They explained how much you value their time and efforts and you realize how lucky you are to be associated with mentors such as these. iphone 8 case on sales You made the judges read and reread. As one judge pointed out “There are powerful mentoring forces at work, here, in California” So many Mentors deserve recognition for their amazing contributions to FIRST and your teams, but these 5 rose to the top. cheap iphone xs case outlet outlet iphone xr case online Los Angeles Regional : Mr. outlet iphone 8 case online Jose Ignacio Fernandez of “Chilean Heart” ,Team 2576 
Judges’ Description: “The winner was selected because of the unusual stamina and dedication the team described. This mentor literally helped the team survive a national disaster. After creating the first FIRST team in his country seven years ago, and helping an FLL team from a children’s cancer treatment hospital make it from very tough circumstances to winning a prize at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, he then faced a much bigger challenge. cheap iphone xr case This mentor lost his father in a devastating earthquake that temporarily demoralized the whole country and almost ended FIRST in Chile. iphone xs case for sale He did not give up and convinced the team that working hard and exhibiting Gracious Professionalism was even more important in the wake of tragedy. outlet iphone 8 case online Through his leadership, the team is strong and looking forward. cheap iphone 8 case online They are proud to be competing here in Los Angeles. iphone 8 case outlet As their website says, “When your heart is FIRST, amazing things happen.” Link to: Students’ Essay Submission Silicon Valley Regional: Mr. iphone 8 case outlet iphone 7 case for sale Jim Mori of Quixilver, Team 604 
Judges’ Description: “The mentor selected has a long impressive record. cheap iphone 8 case He has deep roots that start with his daughter and FLL. cheap iphone xr case outlet iphone 8 case on sales iphone xr case outlet He launched an FLL program for local schools. When his daughter grew into FRC, he followed. cheap iphone 8 case He restarted an FRC team. cheap iphone xs case outlet He mentors other FRC teams and mentors other mentors. iphone 7 case on sales He has made personal contributions to FIRST that includes access to his machine shop. iphone 8 case outlet He serves on the Planning Committee for this event. outlet iphone xs case He has rules: Work together as a team, explore your ideas, and ask questions.” Link to: Students’ Essay Submission San Diego Regional: Mr. outlet iphone 7 case online Bill Berggren of The Holy Cows, Team 1538 
Judges’ Description: “One team’s description of their mentor’s deeds and results stood out above the rest. Students described a per
son who has had a major positive influence on their lives through FIRST. Of course this person goes above and beyond the call of duty in helping the team. Of course this person provides a balanced approach which both guides and challenges the students. iphone xs case outlet This person has also extended the educational opportunities for all students in the San Diego area. cheap iphone xr case outlet His influence is deep and wide.” Link to: Students’ Essay Submission Central Valley Regional: Mr. iphone xs case outlet uk outlet iphone xr case online Ranjit Chahal of MadTown Robotics, Team 1323 
Judges’ Description: “This specific mentor rose above the rest, always guiding their team towards balance, success in FIRST, “The Big Picture” and a clear vision of what students can be. iphone xr case outlet uk This mentor teaches through example, to never stop seeking new challenges. iphone xr case outlet uk He pushes the team to keep growing their projects, community outreach, and team involvement. outlet iphone xs case outlet iphone 7 case online iphone xr case outlet iphone xs case outlet uk He leads his team in developing ideas and tackling challenging projects during the summer and fall, reaching out to other FIRST teams. His most notable impact on his team is the implementation of “Real World” engineering. He inspires his team to become effective communicators by allowing them to present their ideas to engineers from various companies where they have to defend their ideas as they are critiqued. iphone 8 case for sale iphone xs case outlet iphone 7 case outlet This mentor says, “Every day I meet kids that believe Science & Engineering is hard, along with math. outlet iphone xs case online iphone 7 case for sale They believe you have to be a super nerd to join robotics. I disagree, anyone can do this. iphone xs case for sale outlet iphone 8 case I know people say its not about building a robot, it honestly isn’t. cheap iphone 8 case outlet But the skills you get out of building a competitive robot stay with you for life. I want each and every student to succeed in life.” Sacramento Regional: Dr. cheap iphone 7 case online Eric Nelson of Harker Robotics, Team 1072 
Judges’ Description: “One essay speaks to the growth of an engineering facility, and how ready access to tools empowers students to explore engineering options and to think for themselves. iphone xr case outlet uk The essay speaks to how these students learned to work together to recognize and correct problems, and that ideas should be analyzed objectively and discussed fully before they are accepted into a design. Providing access to tools, fostering respect for the design process, and communicating trust in student’s abilities, helped this team bootstrap their engineering program, and realize significant engineering achievements…including designing and building the tools used to design and build their robot.
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 31, 2013 | Blog, Featured News
On Saturday, October 12, the gym at Francis Parker High School in San Diego was filled to the brim with students and robots for the third California off-season event this year, Battle at the Border. This awesome video with event time lapse and interviews with teams, produced by The Stuffed Dragons, does a fantastic job of capturing the day. 
Nathan Rozenberg, The Director of Public Relations for FRC Team 1538 – The Holy Cows, painted a picture of how the day went.
“Our team, Team 1538 – The Holy Cows and Team 2485 – W. A. R. Lords, had the honor of co-hosting this action packed event. We had 29 California native teams attending and competing their hardest in the 2013 FRC game, Ultimate Ascent. iphone 8 case on sales Besides giving FRC teams something more to do during the Fall season, Battle at the Border is also the perfect event for helping team rookies to understand the competition process and see how their team works in its greatest moments. WINNER. WINNER. WINNER. We would like to congratulate the winning alliance: Team 3476 – Code Orange, Team 2485 – W. A. cheap iphone xr case online R. iphone 8 case on sales Lords, and Team 9399 (Team 399 B bot) – Eagle Robotics! We would also like to congratulate Team 3255 – SuperNURDs for the Gracious Professionalism award, Team 1538 – The Holy Cows for the Highest Quality award, Team 2485 – W. A. iphone 8 case on sales R. Lords for The Giving Award and Team 4322 – Clockwork Oranges for the Most Creative Robot award. WEBCAST AND MATCH VIDEOS New this year, our team set up a webcast so friends, family and fans could watch from afar. Along with the live streaming, the matches were recorded and can be viewed here. COMMUNITY SUPPORT Battle at the Border continued its three-year partnership with the American Cancer Society and the San Diego Food Bank. cheap iphone xs case online We ended up raising $1000 for the fight against cancer and collected 100lbs of food for the hungry. FIRST EXPO In addition to FRC Teams represented in the matches, we again featured a FIRST Expo with FLL and FTC Teams. MANY THANKS We would like to thank our great co-hosts for helping with running everything and Francis Parker High School for hosting the event. We would also like to thank George Chen and Jenny Yang for taking the time to announce the games. iphone xs case outlet Finally, we would like to give a huge thank you to all the FIRST volunteers that helped us create another high quality San Diego FRC competition. We wish everybody good luck for the 2014 season and hope to see everybody again next year.”
Winning Alliance: Team 3476, Team 2485, Team 9399 (Team 399 B bot) 
W.A.R Lords also created this great video of Battle at the Border highlights.
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 30, 2013 | Blog, Featured News
FIRST is truly a volunteer driven organization and with 6 Regional FIRST Robotics Competitions in California, we are in need of over 600 Volunteers in the upcoming months. iphone xs case outlet uk iphone xs case outlet cheap iphone xr case iphone 7 case outlet outlet iphone 7 case outlet iphone 8 case iphone xs case outlet
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What it takes to be a Volunteer: The skills that volunteers bring are the very skills that they use in their everyday lives and jobs. iphone 7 case on sales cheap iphone xr case outlet cheap iphone 8 case online iphone 8 case on sales cheap iphone 7 case online FIRST volunteers are women and men of every age and occupation. iphone 7 case outlet cheap iphone 8 case outlet iphone xs case online outlet iphone 8 case iphone 8 case outlet iphone xr case on sales Whether you have technical or non-technical expertise, you like fast paced actions or helping behind the scenes – there is a volunteer role suited to your unique interest. cheap iphone xr case iphone xs case outlet iphone xs case for sale iphone 7 case Most Regional Competitions take place Thursday through Saturday and require a 1-4 day volunteer commitment. iphone xr case outlet outlet iphone xr case online iphone xs case outlet uk iphone 7 case on sales To see what role you might be best suited for, please see this description of positions. Take the first step: If you are ready to sign up, please register in our Volunteer Information and Matching System (VIMS). iphone 7 case on sales outlet iphone xr case online iphone 8 case for sale iphone 7 case on sales iphone 8 case outlet iphone 7 case on sales If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for the Regional Competition that you are interested in. cheap iphone xr case online iphone 7 case outlet uk cheap iphone 8 case online cheap iphone xs case outlet iphone 8 case outlet
We hope you’ll consider joining our community of over 120,000 FIRST volunteers. cheap iphone 8 case outlet iphone xs case iphone 8 case on sales iphone 7 case outlet uk You’re sure to find a network of like-minded, dedicated individuals and a sense of camaraderie, excitement, and joy. cheap iphone xr case outlet cheap iphone xs case online cheap iphone xr case online cheap iphone 8 case online
“I welcome the opportunity to encourage everyone I meet to get involved with FIRST as a Volunteer, a Mentor, or by supporting a team.
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 27, 2013 | Blog
TOP 20 CA FRC Teams Post Week 4 Ranking
1.
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Team 1538 – High Tech High, San Diego 3.
Team 973 – Atascadero HS, Atascadero 4.
Team 1662 – Jim Elliott Christian HS, Lodi 5.
Team 1678 – DaVinci Academy, Davis 6
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Team 3476 – River Springs Charter School, Dana Point 10.
Team 2984 – La Jolla HS, La Jolla 11.
Team 840 – Aragon HS, San Mateo 12.
Team 1323 – Madera HS, Madera 13.
Team 330 – Hope Chapel Academy HS, Hermosa Beach 14.
Team 399 – Lancaster HS, Lancaster 15.
iphone xr case outlet uk outlet iphone 7 case online Iphone 8 case cheap iphone 7 case cheap iphone xs case outlet Team 3970 – Duncan Polytechnical, Fresno 16.
Team 3501 – Fremont HS, Sunnyvale 17.
Team 701 – Vanden HS, Fairfield 18.
Team 599 – Granada Hills Charter HS, Granada Hills 19.
Team 696 – Clark Magnet HS, La Crescentia 20.
Team 604 – Leland HS, San Jose Other teams receiving votes this week: 4322, 294, 3512, 1868, 1836, 2489, 192, 846, 3256, 1671, 207, 3309 In mainstream sports, the media compiles a list of the top 25 ranking teams.
iphone xr case on sales iphone 7 case outlet uk cheap iphone xr case online outlet iphone 7 case online iphone 8 case on sales In the Associated Press Poll, rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation.
Iphone 8 case cheap iphone 8 case outlet cheap iphone xs case online iphone 7 case outlet This poll is similar, in that a qualified panel of experienced and reputable members of the California FRC community vote on who they think the top 20 California Teams are for the 2013 FRC Season.
iphone 7 case iphone 7 case on sales iphone 7 case outlet uk iphone 7 case on sales cheap iphone xs case outlet Voters have picked teams based upon robot success shown at competitions in the past, consistency of the team, build season information about the team’s 2013 robot design and function and performance in 2013 Regionals if they have competed.
cheap iphone xr case online cheap iphone xr case iphone 7 case outlet uk iphone 8 case outlet Results will be shared weekly.
cheap iphone 7 case outlet Iphone 8 case iphone xs case outlet outlet iphone 8 case online This poll is clearly an opinion poll of our panel of FRC experts.
iphone xs case outlet uk outlet iphone 7 case iphone 7 case outlet uk cheap iphone xs case iphone 8 case on sales Now we’d like to know your opinion. Are they missing a team? Post you comments, supporting video links and/or photo links showing your ideas for the Top 20 CA FRC Teams.
