Thread: [FTC:] Starting a new team 2012
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Unread 04-06-2012, 15:51
Scott_4140 Scott_4140 is offline
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FTC #4140 (Fish in the Boat)
Team Role: Coach
  
Join Date: May 2011
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 85
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Re: [FTC:] Starting a new team 2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiifi View Post
  1. How much should we expect to spend on extra parts?
  2. Are there any other teams that are used as a Junior Varsity program?
  3. If we meet once a week for several hours will we be able to complete the robot?
  4. We also have one middle school team in the district, will we be stepping on any toes by starting a high school team?
Depending on how much of the FTC program you’re looking to pursue, your program could easily support more than 5 members on each team.

On to your list:
  1. We started our FTC program last year and purchased one FTC base kit and three expansion kits. We also purchased about $500 worth of additional parts for the MN Snow Drift tournament and another $500 worth of spares for the World Championships. I’d budget $1200 on the low end and $2000 on the high end. Depends on the challenge and how complex of robot you intend on building.
  2. Locally in Minnesota, I’d talk with KING TeC FRC 2169. I can get you contact info if you need it. They run 3 or 4 FTC teams primarily for incoming Freshmen, but also allow students to remain in the program if they wish. While FTC can be used as a JV program for FRC, The technical challenges are structured differently. I’d keep the door open for it being an alternative High School program.
  3. If all you want is to build a robot, program it for the challenge and have some practice time, a few hours a week is sufficient. FTC gets their challenge in September. The MN Snow Drift tournament has historically been late Feb to early Mar. If you want to embrace the full spectrum of what FTC has to offer, you’ll probably need more time. (Additional components would include: Engineering Notebook, CAD modeling, Outreach & Fundraising)
  4. FTC is so underrepresented in MN that I can’t see how anyone could complain. The only area they would care about is if you start poaching their sponsors. A short discussion with the Middle School team should alleviate any concerns.
Let me know if you have any other questions on FTC in MN. Our team is always looking for ways to expand and improve the program.

--Scott McDowell
Coach FTC 4140 – Fish in the Boat
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