BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Welcome to BAA Education Day, our annual training session, hosted by JHU/APL and sponsored by the
Baltimore Area Alliance of FRC Teams along with your local Maryland FIRST representatives!
This list of sessions is broken down into several topic areas, and each will be in a different room in the
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center. Please see http://www.jhuapl.edu/aboutapl/visitor/directions.asp for
directions to APL and http://www.jhuapl.edu/aboutapl/visitor/mapcampus.asp for directions to the
Kossiakoff Center. Please park in the lot labeled APL Staff and Education Center parking. Handicapped
persons may park in spaces directly in front of the Kossiakoff Center. Welcome, Build 101, and Wrap-Up
sessions will be in the Auditorium to the left of the guard’s desk. Lunch will be in the dining area directly
behind the guard’s desk. The Advanced Topics session will also be in the dining area. All other sessions
will be in the classrooms directly to the right of the guard’s desk.
Auditorium – AM
8:45 – 9 am
Welcome Milnes, Beatty, Shade
A short welcome and introduction to the sponsors for the day. Details about the event
and any changes and updates will be provided. All are encouraged to attend, so checkin will start not later than 8:30 to accommodate a timely start to the day.
9 – 9:50 am
New to FIRST
Wayne Fuller, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
Are you on a Rookie Team or a Rookie on an Established Team? This is a session for
students and mentors who are new to FIRST. What’s it all about?Learn the FIRST Jargon
anddecode the acronym soup. Review Standard and Best Practices that the veterans all
know.
10–10:50 am
Electricity and Wiring101Team 836 – Robo-Bees
With 2015 Control System
From the basics of electricity and electrical wiring to some of the trickiest wiring the
FIRST requires; this presentation will cover the theory of electric circuits and all the
wiring you will likely need to do to get your robot and all its sensors and electrical
actuators properly powered and communicating using the new Control System and
Robo-Rio.
11 – 11:50 am
Motors 101 Tom Milnes, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
This session will cover the basics of selecting the motors to use for various applications,
the types of limitations imposed by FIRST on the number and type of motors, and the
parameters of motors which team members need to be aware of during design and
build. Some recommendations for working within typical FRC constraints of the game
as well as physical constraints will be discussed. This will provide a foundation for the
drive train system discussion, and relate to manipulator design as well.
Pneumatics 101yne Fuller and Jude Flynn Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
This session will be an introduction to pneumatics and how to use within the FIRST
Robotics Competition. The benefits and shortcomings of using pneumatics and general
applications for uses will be discussed in this brief overview.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Auditorium – PM
1 –1:50 pm
Chassis / Drive Train101
Tom Milnes, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
The basics of Chassis and Drive Train for FIRST Robotics Competition. The chassis and
drive train are the foundational elements of an FRC robot, upon which, all else rests. At
the very least you can play defense if you have these two. What materials and
manufacturing techniques should you use? What’s a mecanum drive and why would
you use it? These and many other questions will be answered.
2 –2:50 pm
Manipulators / Sensor 101 Tom Milnes, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
Manipulators are the point scoring elements of FRC robots, and can help in defense too.
This presentation will review the basic types, choices and construction techniques for
manipulators. Once you’ve got the manipulators done how will you get them to work in
autonomous or work automatically to avoid burning up your motors. This session will
cover all the basics of these important topics.
3 –3:50 pm
Putting It All Together
Tom Milnes, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
A FRC Robotic System is more than the some of its parts; but will be constrained in
allowable parts, physical size and weight, and time to construct among others. Which
path to take? Team 2199 will guide you through their 2014 experience in developing a
simple but effective robot that evolved during the season. The team will discuss both
paths taken and not taken, successes and mistakes, and what they learned during the
process.
4 – 4:15 pm
Wrap-Up
Milnes, Beatty, Shade
Summary of day’s events and last chance to ask any burning questions.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Dining Area – Advanced Topics– AM
9 – 9:50 pm
Sensor Integration
Richard Bazemore, Team 836 – The RoboBees
Proper integration of sensors into your robot’s subsystems is the key to maximum
success for on field performance. Learn the tricks of the trade from one of Maryland’s
most experienced and successful teams.
10 – 10:50 pm
Design Principles
Tim Miedzinski, Team 836 – The RoboBees
Design methodology is a critical but underused element during the rush of Build Season.
Learn Best Practices from Engineer and Mentor Tim Miedzinski that will put you ahead of
the game.
11 –11:50 pm
Use of 3-D Printer Parts in FRC RobotsClayton Cobb, Nathaniel Chester
Team 1111 - Powerhawks
3-D printers are rapidly coming down in price making them affordable for FRC teams.
They are also available in many schools and the Fab Lab at CCBC. Team 1111 will discuss
how to best utilize printed parts in your FRC robot.
Dining Area – Lunch
12 – 12:50 pm
LunchJeff Myers, Team 2849 – Ursa Major
The menu for lunch is a variety of BBQ sandwiches, vegetarian lasagna, sides, and
waterfrom Famous Dave’s. This is included in the registration cost of $5 per person for
everyone registered prior to October 23rd. Anyone registered after October 23rd or who
has not arranged for special food requests is on their own for lunch.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Dining Area – Advanced Topics– PM
1 – 1:50 pm
Advanced Aspects of the 2015 Control SystemTeam 888 – Robo-Bees
The Robo-Rio and 2015 Control system represents a great leap forward in control
technology for FRC Robots. Learn from one of the top teams in Maryland about how to
really take advantage of the new technology.
2 – 2:50 pm
Using CAD to Speed Design
Team 1719 – The Umbrella Corporation
Professional engineers would never think of “cutting metal” without a detailed
Computer Aided Design, but most FRC team members just want to “build the thing”.
Learn how to use CAD to speed your design process and build a better robot quicker.
3 – 3:50 pm
Gameday Tactics and Strategy
Steve Shade – MD FIRST Head Referee
In war superior tactics and strategy can allow an inferior force to defeat a superior one.
The same is true in FIRST Robotics. Learn how to get the best results from your
coalition’s robots by applying lessons in FIRST Strategy by experienced mentor and MD
Head Referee Steve Shade.
Classroom 2 – Java – AM
9 – 11:20 am
Intro to Java for FRC
Emily Jenness, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
Java, a modern object-oriented programming language, is one of the world’s most
popular, ubiquitous on the web and on Android devices. It is a great choice for
programming FRC robots, particular if you are more familiar with text based, rather than
graphical programming techniques. Learn Java for FRC from a software professional and
programming mentor for Team 2199.
Classroom 2 – Java – PM
1 – 3:20 am
Intro to Java for FRC
Emily Jenness, Team 2199 – Robo-Lions
Java, a modern object-oriented programming language, is one of the world’s most
popular, ubiquitous on the web and on Android devices. It is a great choice for
programming FRC robots, particular if you are more familiar with text based, rather than
graphical programming techniques. Learn Java for FRC from a software professional and
programming mentor for Team 2199.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Classroom 3 – Computer Aided Design – Autodesk Inventor
9 – 11:50 am
Autodesk Inventor - AM Ron Karpinski, Team 2528 - Robo Doves
This session will be a basic introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) using the
Autodesk Inventor software with 2 breaks. Autodesk is a long time supporter of FIRST
and generously offers free software to FIRST participants. This session will explore the
basics of designing components and assemblies in Autodesk Inventor. This class will be
limited in attendance to 25 students per session due to the number of computers. Pre-
registration is highly recommended –Send the team number and student names
to :Ron Karpinski (karpiron@comcast.net)
Classroom 3 – Computer Aided Design – Autodesk Inventor
1 – 3:50 pm
Autodesk Inventor - PM Ron Karpinski, Team 2528 - Robo Doves
This session will be a basic introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) using the
Autodesk Inventor software with 2 breaks. Autodesk is a long time supporter of FIRST
and generously offers free software to FIRST participants. This session will explore the
basics of designing components and assemblies in Autodesk Inventor. This class will be
limited in attendance to 25 students per session due to the number of computers. Pre-
registration is highly recommended –Send the team number and student names
to :Ron Karpinski (karpiron@comcast.net)
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Classroom 4 – Mentor / Team Leads / Adult Volunteer Sessions– AM
10–10:50 am
Team Sustainability
11 – 11:50 am
FIRST Policy TopicsAnne Shade – MD FIRST Regional Director
Panel Discussion
A gifted lead mentor leaves for a new school or burns out after several intense but
successful years and the team goes poof. It happens! Learn from a panel of several
experienced team mentors the steps you can take to make sure your team is in it for
the long haul!
Youth Protection Policy, Scholarships, and District Model
Maryland FIRST Director Anne Shade will cover three topics of seminal importance to
FRC in Maryland – the new Youth Protection Policy, FIRST Scholarships, and the
implementation of the FIRST District Model.
Classroom 4 – Mentor and Team Lead Sessions – PM
1 – 1:50 pm
Getting to the Next Level
Anne Shade– MD FIRST Regional Director
Is your team stuck? Do you always finish in the middle of the pack? Learn the key
techniques, processes and organizational techniques that can take your team to the next
level from Maryland Regional Director Anne Shade.
2 – 2:50 pm
Non-Engineering Mentors
Panel Discussion
And How They Can Help Your Team
The FIRST Robotics Competition is about more than just building robots. Come learn
about how local FRC teams organize and manage the team around all things business,
marketing, awards, and outreach. There will also be a brief overview of NEMO - the NonEngineering Mentor Organization. The targeted audience for this session is student and
adult team leaders, mentors, parents and interested community members.
3 – 3:50 pm
Outreach and Volunteering for FIRST
Panel Discussion
It took 1500+ volunteers to run 40+ competitions and events in Maryland last season.
Come learn about all the opportunities to get involved this robot season. We will quickly
review Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC and FRC events as well as outreach opportunities (including
starting/mentoring a FLL or Jr.FLL team) throughout the year. Come learn about how you
can get involved. The targeted audience for this session is: student and adult team
leaders, parents & family members, interested community members.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Classroom 5 – Labview– AM
9:00 – 11:50
am
Introduction to LabviewJayeshJariwala, Team 2528 - Robodoves
Labview is the premier “hardware in the loop” programming environment for
engineers. Learn the in’s and out’s of Labview from experienced mentor and
professional engineer JayeshJariwala.
Classroom 5 – Labview – PM
1:00 – 3:50 pm
Introduction to LabviewJayeshJariwala, Team 2528 - Robodoves
Labview is the premier “hardware in the loop” programming environment for
engineers. Learn the in’s and out’s of Labview from experienced mentor and
professional engineer JayeshJariwala.
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Classroom 6 – Programs and Potpourri– AM
9 – 9:50 pm
No Presentation
10 –10:50 pm
Web Site and Video Production
Tim Serge and Zach Stachelczyk, Team 836 – The RoboBees
The ABC’s of award winning web-site and video production from concept, to
development, and final editing from one of Maryland’s top teams.
11 –11:50 pm
Fundraising
Panel Discussion
Fundraising is perhaps the most important, yet seemingly least fun, aspect of running
an FRC team. A panel of experienced mentors will discuss how to be successful without
pulling your hair out!
Classroom 6 – Programs and Potpourri– PM
1 –1:50 pm
Judging 101Jenny Beatty –Volunteer Maryland Coordinator
A primer on how judging works in and out of the judges' room at the Regionals and
hints for how your students can be great Ambassadors for your team. The targeted
audience for this session is students, mentors and parents.
2 –2:50 pm
Team Image and Branding
Eleanor Wood, Zachary Cohen
Team 1111 - Powerhawks
You can’t miss the Powerhawks at a competition, a block of blue with glittering fedoras.
That image extends throughout their operation from team to pit to robot. Join the
Chesapeake Regional 2014 Imagery Award winners as they talk about the ABCs of Team
Image and Branding.
3 – 3:50 pm
Business Plans Rose Young, Team 2199 and Anne Kellerman, Team 2537
A good business plan not only helps insure your team’s long-term success but can also
convince the Judges that you are a team to emulate, enhancing your success in
attaining the coveted Chairman’s Award. Learn from two award winning mentors how
it is done!
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BAA Education Day Training Sessions for October 25, 2014
JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Classroom 7,8 – Post Build 101– AM
9 –9:50 pm
No Presentations
10 –10:50 pm
New Game Analysis Process
Anne and Steve Shade – MD FIRST
FRC alumni, experienced mentors, and MD FIRST luminaries Anne and Steve Shade will
take you through their new game analysis process, which will set you team on the right
path for build season.
11 –11:50 pm
Scouting Teams 836 and 1111
Team XXXX says they walk on water and says you should “just play defense”. OR… You
finish in the top 8 and now have to pick two alliance partners for the first time ever.
What’s a team to do? Learn from two of Maryland’s best teams about the In’s and
Out’s of Scouting at a FIRST Robotics Competition.
Classroom 7,8 – Post Build 101– AM
1 –1:50 pm
InspectionBill Landin – MD Head Inspector
The inspectors are there to make sure all robots are safe and compliant with the rules, a
vitally important role; but, from the team’s perspective it can often be difficult to get
through the inspection “maze” and onto the Competition Floor. This can be a
particularly challenging task for rookie or fairly new teams. Chesapeake Regional Lead
inspector Bill Landin will help lead you through the maze and help your robot get into
action on the fast track.
2 –2:50 pm
Team Structure and OrganizationTeam 836 – The RoboBees
So you have 40 kids eager and ready to build a robot! What do you do with them all?
What if you only have 15? Learn from one of the top teams in Maryland best practices
for team structure and organization.
3 – 3:50 pm
No Presentations
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