Edina FTC Robotics
2023-2024
Why robotics?
Robots are today.
The Volvo XC90 has been available since 2002 and “not a single person has been killed while driving it, or as a passenger.” Why? Autonomous Emergency Braking System is a collection of sensors and cameras that stop the vehicle when it gets too close to another vehicle.
Why robotics?
Robots are practical.
Why robotics?
Robots are the future.
Why robotics?
In 1984, when I was in middle school, this is was the first computer I touched. We were told that one day there would be a computer in every kitchen.
Everyone thought they had to be kidding!
What would we do with a computer?
Why robotics?
What do we do with computers today?
Why robotics?
What will we use robots for when you are in your 40s?
Why robotics?
Robots are really fun!
For
Inspiration &
Recognition of
Science &
Technology
Founders
Dr. Woodie Flowers & Dean Kamen
Based on an MIT Engineering Professor’s class…
Dr. Woodie Flowers
Gracious Professionalism Coopertition
Teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.
Learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.
LEGO Spike Prime to compete in 1v1 matches on a table top and a research project presentation.
Metal parts, wiring, java coding to make max 18” cube robot. Compete in 2v2 matches. Engineering Portfolio, presentation.
120 pounds of robot! Pneumatics, business plan, presentation & 3v3 matches.
LEGO Duplo or LEGO to solve problems and a poster presentation.
REAL WORLD
Who is FTC Robotics for?
Dreamers
Do-ers
Not-sure-what-to-do-ers
Boys
Girls Nonbinary People
Hands on learners
Neurodivergent learners
Typical learners
Advanced learners
Beginners
Again-ers
Everyone!
No Cut!
Who am I?
Ging Wiandt
Edina FTC Robotics Coordinator
Cornelia Reading & Math Intervention Teacher
Mom of an EHS Senior & College Senior, both Edina FTC & FRC members
Emotional Support Person to my Dog, Baxten
How did I get into this?
In 2015 my son got an email saying there weren’t going to be robotics teams at South View. I knew nothing about robots but surely there was a way to make this happen. Long story, and many sleepless nights later I was organizing the teams, eventually combining with the Valley View program and expanding to EHS. I am proof that you can figure this out!
12
T
E
A
M
S
2887
Bucket
Brigade
15133
Knot
Kidding
3764
Since Sliced Bread
3763
Piece of
Cake
8034
Easy
As Pi
10617
On A Roll
11566
Tough
Cookies
13226
Going Like Hotcakes
13374
Bar None
13579
Inside Scoop
14661
Mint Condition
15225
Proof
is in the Pudding
Edina
FIRST Tech Challenge
Edina FTC ...
We build great kids (and robots too).
Presentation skills
Writing
Business skills
Statistics
Teamwork
Cooperation
Competition
Strategic thinking
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Edina FTC Outreach in 2018-19 ...
Methodist Hospital Lab
Smiths Medical
HID Global
Stratasys
Girl Scouts
Boy Scouts
Society of Women Engineers
Girls Science & Technology
Minnesota Legislature STEM Advocacy Day
Seagate’s Young Women in STEM Summit
Variety of Edina elementary schools’ events
And we build robots ...
Tetrix Kit of metal parts
2 Communications Hubs -
1 on the robot & 1 connected to video game controllers to relay the code
Programming:
Java Coding in Android Studio + GITHub
OR OnBot Java
Driver Hub
Control Hub
Matches
Edina FTC Media & Business Opportunities ...
Write a business plan.
Write a sustainability plan.
Make presentations to businesses, sponsors.
Create promotional videos.
Create instructional videos.
Market your team at tournaments.
Make presentations to judges and teams.
Advocate to local, state and national legislators.
The Game from 2022 Power Play
Every team needs ...
Engineering Portfolio Judging Presentation
Robot
Brought to you by PARENTS ...
Sometimes I hear “My child doesn’t want me to come.” It isn’t a want. It’s a NEED.
No parents … No program
Students - you NEED parents to succeed in this program. You need YOUR parents. At meetings and at tournaments.
Parents sometimes say I don’t know anything. We will help you learn. Pick a couple of roles you think you could handle. Many of the roles are not technical.
If your parent can’t come, then pick some other adult. If you have extenuating circumstances - email ging.wiandt@gmail.com.
Java Coding Mentor Presentation Mentor
Building Mentor Purchaser
Treasurer Scouting Mentor
Portfolio Mentor Fundraising Mentor
Tournament Lunch Coordinator
Parts Manager Events Mentor
Outreach Mentor Photographer
Tournament Volunteer
Great things
take time.
Edina’s 3 Levels of Participation
Creative | 5 hours 2 days a week | Tues. OR Thurs. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM & Sat. 9:00 - 12:00 noon | Everyone who want to can drive/operate the robot in competition. Use Tetrix parts from our existing stock. Coded in Blocks. |
Competitive | 7 hours 3 days a week | Tues. & Thurs. 6:00 - 8:00 PM & Sat. 9:00 - 12:00 noon | Use Tetrix parts from our existing stock with an allowance for special parts. Time trials used to determine 2 alternating drive teams. Coded in OnBot Java. |
All In (Veterans) | 9+ hours 4-5 days a week with homework | Tues AND Thurs. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM & Sat. 9:00 - 2:00 + other meetings TBD | Invitation only. Use goBilda and Tetrix parts from our existing stock with a significant allowance for special parts. Robot driver & operator determined through time trials. Coded in Java with GitHub. |
But I want to be on a higher level team…
Experience + Skills + Time Commitment =
These are competitive teams, just like sports.
All In
Edina’s 3 Levels of Participation
Creative Competitive All In
Creative: Build a working robot that accomplishes some of the tasks in the game and may be competitive at a tournament. Everyone who wants to can drive/operate the robot in competition. Use Tetrix parts from our existing stock.
Time: 5 hours over 2 days a week from Sept. to Feb. (Tues or Thurs. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Sat. 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon). Additional time may be an option as the competition draws near, but is not required.
Learn: Understand the game, basics of building a robot using a kit of parts and possibly a few 3D printed parts, teamwork, problem solving, engineering process, time management, writing, applied math, business skills, critical thinking. Coded in Blocks.
Best suited for students who:
* UMTYMP, ACT, SAT, and music performances are NOT considered conflicts.
Edina’s 3 Levels of Participation
Creative Competitive All In
Competitive: Build a robot that can do many of the autonomous and driver controlled tasks in order to be competitive at tournament. Engineering Notebook included and documentation may need to be done at home. Use Tetrix parts from our existing stock with an allowance for special parts. Time trials used to determine 2 alternating drive teams.
Time: 7 hours over 3 days a week from Sept. to Feb. (Tues & Thurs. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Sat. 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon).
Learn: General understanding of game strategy, building using Tetrix parts and some specialized pieces, teamwork, problem solving, and engineering process. Coded in OnBot Java with GitHub.
Best suited for students who:
* UMTYMP, ACT, SAT, and music performances are NOT considered conflicts.
Edina’s 4 Levels of Participation
Creative Competitive All In
All In: Invitation only. Build a robot that consistently completes all tasks, in an effort to be as competitive as possible at all levels of tournament play. Willing to put in the time for research, creating outreach, mission, marketing, mentoring of other teams, and building multiple robots as the team refines their designs and advances. Engineering Notebook is required. Use goBilda and Tetrix parts from our existing stock with a significant allowance for special parts. Robot driver & operator determined through time trials.
Time: more than 10 hours over 4-5 days a week with homework from August to April (Tues & Thurs. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Sat. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturdays, plus additional meetings by subteams.)
Learn: Understand advanced game strategy, more complex building, applying calculations, using many specialized parts (including 3D printing), advanced coding using vision processing and complex motion profiling code (like RoadRunner) to help with autonomous, teamwork, problem solving, engineering process, time management, writing, applied math, business skills, critical thinking. Coded in Java with GitHub.
Best suited for students who: have at least one year of FTC experience, are high school students or highly motivated and organized 8th graders, are focused and able to work independently, prioritize robotics and schedule activities around robotics, parent/mentor and student have sufficient time to devote. * UMTYMP, ACT, SAT, and music performances are NOT considered conflicts.
Peer Mentor Role
Veterans with at least 1 year of FTC experience who want to stay involved with robotics but have time constraints.
Meet regularly with a team and help guide them through the season.
How teams are created
It’s not going to be easy.
It’s going to be worth it!
Edina FTC has been competitive ...
2018-19 Compass Award
2018-19 Promote Award
2018-19 Innovate Award
2018 World Championship Participant
2017-18 two Winning Alliance Awards
2017-18 three Finalist Alliance Awards
2017-18 two Design Awards
2017-18 Innovate Award
2017-18 Motivate Award
2016-17 Winning Alliance Award
2016-17 Motivate Award
2016-17 Control Award
2015-16 Winning Alliance Award
2015-16 Connect Award
2014-15 Promote Award
2014-15 Compass Award
2014-15 State Championship Division Finalist Award
2013-14 Promote Award
2013-14 Control Award
2013-14 Winning Alliance Award
2012-13 State Championship Finalist Alliance Award
2012-13 State Championship Innovate Award
2010 World Championship Qualified!
2009-10 State Championship Inspire Award
2009-10 State Championship Winning Alliance Award
2009-10 State Championship Design Award
2020 World Championship Invitation
2020 Minnesota State Winning Alliance Captain
2019-20 two Winning Alliances
2019-20 three Finalist Alliances
2019-20 five Control Awards
2019 World Championship Participant
2019 Minnesota State Winning Alliance
2018-19 Inspire Award: Piece of Cake
2018-19 four Winning Alliances
2018-19 two Finalist Alliances
2018-19 two Control Awards
2018-19 two Think Award
2018-19 two Motivate Awards
2008 State Championship Finalist Alliance Award
2008 Design Award
Edina FTC in 2019-20 ...
2020 World Championship Invitation (canceled): Piece of Cake
2020 Minnesota State Winning Alliance Captain: Piece of Cake
2 Winning Alliances: Piece of Cake (2)
3 Finalist Alliances: Bucket Brigade(2), Easy As Pi
5 Control (Code) Awards: Bucket Brigade,
Piece of Cake (2), Easy As Pi,
Like Clockwork
Edina FTC in 2020-21 …
Edina FTC in 2021-22 …
1 Inspire Award: Since Sliced Bread
3 Winning Alliances: Piece of Cake, Since Sliced Bread, Tough Cookies
1 Finalist Alliance: Piece of Cake
2 Control (Code) Awards: Easy As Pi
2 Innovate Awards: Since Sliced Bread, Piece of Cake
1 Design Award: Since Sliced Bread
1 Judges Award: Tough Cookies
9 additional award nominations & 3 more semifinal appearances
Edina FTC in 2022-23 …
1 World Participant Team
1 Think Award at Worlds
1 Promote Award, including at Worlds
3 State Participant Teams
3 Inspire Awards, including at State
2 Connect Awards, including at State
2 Judges Awards, including at State
2 Control (Code) Awards
2 Winning Alliances
3 Finalist Alliances
4 Innovate Awards
1 Compass Award
1 Design Award
6 additional nominations
4 more semifinal appearances
Minnesota LOVES Robotics!
This is a highly competitive state for both FTC and FRC!
There are more FRC teams in Minnesota than boys varsity hockey teams!
MN FTC teams at the Worlds
And many FRC teams
In 2019 Edina’s FRC Team, The Green Machine, also went to Worlds
for the 12th time in 14 years. Their handstanding robot was Carson Division Finalists AND ….
Edina’s FRC Team, The Green Machine, also went to Worlds
WON the Championship CHAIRMAN’S AWARD out of 3,800 teams from 37 countries! They are now one of 36 Hall of Fame teams!
1816 The Green Machine’s 2022 Season
“They didn’t skip a beat!” Finalist Alliance Entrepreneurship Award Engineering Inspiration Award World Championship Division Playoffs STATE CHAMPIONS!!!
Edina’s FRC Team, The Green Machine
Invitations to join the Green Machine go out to FTC students each May. To learn more about this amazing team:
Twitter @FIRSTteam1816
I never lose.
I either win or learn.
-Nelson Mandela
What else?
RoboNET is club level website providing communications and resources, eliminating lengthy emails.
A common parts bank from which teams will borrow to add to their base set of parts issued at the beginning of the season, minimizing the storage and purchases needed.
All meetings on EPS property, except outreach & tournaments.
Edina Robotics Foundation
Edina Robotics Foundation is our Fiscal Agent, 501(c)(3), that will handle the majority of our finances, thanks to the hard work of Edina's Green Machine Lead Mentors! This means:
Reimbursements will be handled efficiently.
Charitable donations, including those from corporations, are processed in a timely manner. Parents ask if your employer sponsors FIRST robotics teams!
Amazon Smile recipient. Support Edina Robotics every time you shop!
NEW Training
All In: mid July
Other Veterans: Code or Build training 8/15, 8/17, 8/22, 8/24
Rookies: Program training & game basics 8/29, 8/31
Code or Build training 9/5, 9/7, 9/12, 9/14
All sessions 6-8:00 PM on Tues & Thurs.
The 2022-23 FTC Calendar highlights
All Veterans begin Tues. Aug. 15 (if you were in FTC last year)
All Rookies begin Tues. Aug. 29
Sat. Sept 9 Season kickoff - 9:00-2:00 for all
Thurs. Oct. 26 Mandatory Tournament Forms Meeting
Nov. - Dec. Two Qualifying Tournaments on a Sat or Sun 7AM-6PM
Sat. Feb. 9 & 10 State Tournament (St. Paul)
Thurs. Feb. 15 Awards Event
April 16-20 World Championship (Houston, TX)
NEW cost is based on your Level of Participation:
Creative $450 + $95 EHS Activity fee
Competitive $520 + $95 EHS Activity fee
Coming in Sept…
Butter Braid Fundraiser
proceeds purchasing tool boxes.
Will you join us for 2023-24’s Centerstage game?
Everyone signs up
Every year,
Even if you were
on a team in the past.
How to sign up ...
1. Read the Club Details and the Adult Roles.
2. Sign Up Google Form with your parents.
3. EPS Activities Registration with $95 available 8/1
4. Bring to your first meeting:
$450 Creative
$520 Competitive
$600 All In
5. Adult Mentor will need to complete a background check with Edina Public Schools. Look for an email from Edina Public Schools – ISD #273 with Brittany Montgomery on behalf of administrator@trustedemployees.com in late Aug/early Sept.
Save the Date: October 26 Tournament Forms Day. Both student and Adult Mentor will need to register with FIRST at no cost, in addition to tournament forms.
In the end, it’s not about the robot ...