2013 BAE Systems Granite State Regional

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by Flak-Bait

By the way, does anyone have a video of Qualification Match 67 (1058, 175, 1247 vs. 1831, 2432, 3566)? It's the first match that we really got our act together in. Thanks!

Here you go, although I was focussing on Team Phoenix's Leaf Blower Shooter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF_K0fwDng8

[electroken]

Congratulations to 610, 4124, and 3609 for an amazing performance. It would have been nice to have had a shot at them in the finals, but all 3 machines in our alliance had problems in the semis that ended our day quickly.

And when something as unlikely as a robot flopping over and blocking BOTH feeder stations happens, it's time to pack the trailer.

[Libby K]

Thanks to everyone at GSR for a GREAT time.
This was my last official event as a mentor for the "Clarkson Twins", 229 and 4124. (229 will be at Boston, but I'm on the RPC so I won't be able to spend much time with them.) I couldn't be prouder to have this as my last note. Thanks to 610 and 3609 for being amazing alliance partners.

By the way, does anyone have videos of the elimination matches?
One, I'd like to be able to get some footage of them for our year-end wrap up video. Two, I'd like video evidence of my first-official Frisbee to the face of the season. (Team photogs, STAND BACK. The nets don't help if you're six inches from them.)

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by Libby K

By the way, does anyone have videos of the elimination matches?
One, I'd like to be able to get some footage of them for our year-end wrap up video. Two, I'd like video evidence of my first-official Frisbee to the face of the season. (Team photogs, STAND BACK. The nets don't help if you're six inches from them.)

Libby,

Just uploading all the video that we took to the 610 Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Team610

I also have the webcast feed, but its a lot lower quality.

[Nick Lawrence]

This regional is probably the most fun one I've ever had the opportunity to be involved in. I have lots of friends in the northeast, and it was really really cool to compete with and against you. Being able to look in almost any direction in the Verizon Wireless Arena and see a friendly, familiar face is something I only used to experience at Canadian regionals.

Specifically, I wanted to thank a few certain individuals and groups.

First and foremost I wanted to thank James Temple, Joe Sanchez, Libby Kamen and the entire 229/4124 program. You guys are some of the friendliest and easiest to work with people I've had the opportunity to share the field with. It's a rare thing to be able to walk into your pit to chat about whatever immediately before and after competing against you on the field. Thank you, for being awesome. Wall of Green forever, eh?

Second, I want to thank team 3609. To be completely honest you should never have been on our alliance, you should have gotten picked long before we had the opportunity to ask you to join up with us and 4124. You guys were one of the few teams to really make our drive team's job difficult in the qualification rounds, and we definitely took notice. You guys played amazing defence on whoever we needed you to and were willing to do whatever was asked of you. I'm so happy for you guys to make only your second trip to the elimination rounds, and to win the whole thing. On the back of my medal from this weekend is a little bit of duct tape. Thank you for being awesome, hope to see you in St. Louis in a couple months!

Third, I wanted to thank all the regional staff and volunteers for putting on such a fantastic show. The BAE Systems Granite State Regional is one of the best run events I have ever been to, with super polite and friendly volunteers. I would recommend this event to any FRC team.

Finally, I want to thank all of the students and mentors on 610. I came to this team late in the 2012 season, and was welcomed right into the Crescent Robotics program. You guys are some of the most dedicated and professional people I've ever met in FRC. The students sometimes make it difficult to remember that you're high school students. Thank you for making FRC fun again for me, looking forward to more in the future!

-Nick

[610.Dad]

As a (very proud) Team 610 Parent who was fortunate enough to have been allowed to accompany his son's team to what for me was my very first robotics event, I thought I would share my perspective. Perhaps some other teams' members may share it with their parents in the hope of encouraging more parental involvement in this amazing program.

In no particular order, here are my "first" impressions:

1. Even though everybody received the same instructions for the same event, there was a surprising diversity of robot construction, abilities, and capabilities. I had imagined (before the event) that robots designed to do the same tasks, would probably all look and act the same way. Wrong!

2. The entire concept of "coopetition" where competition is seamlessly knitted together with collaboration is the most striking feature. This is unique to this generation, and quite foreign to my own experience and upbringing. These young men and women had no apparent issues with providing willing and cheerful assistance to other teams, against whom they were competing. Also, collaboration had no discernible effect on the natural and healthy competitive desire to win. Who would have thought such a thing was possible? I strongly suspect that this new attitude and approach will yield significant benefits for these young people in their future studies and professional lives.

3. Many of these kids are smarter than we are. There - I said it.

4. Shooting robots may score more points, but climbers are more fun to watch!

5. The students really do run things - they chair the meetings, build and design the robots and call the shots. Although mentors and teachers could jump in and solve the problems and fix the robots - they don't. They seem to understand that they are building young men and women - not robots. I saw no evidence of adults ruining things for the kids, which is something we do regrettably hear about in other competitive activities. I feel pretty sure that this type of bad behaviour would not be tolerated in the First culture.

6. The adult volunteers who run and judge the event seem to share the same value system as the students who build and drive the robots. They were consistently impartial, fair and helpful. Thanks.

I am deeply grateful to Team 610's members, mentors and teachers for their "graceful professionalism" and charity in allowing me to become involved in what has been a very positive life experience for my son. From concept to execution, First is one of the very best organizations ever to be made available in our schools, and is worthy of all the support a parent could give. Congratulations and thanks to all those whose efforts over the years have made this incredible opportunity possible!

I strongly encourage more parents to become involved and allow their sons and daughters to let them "show you how it's done".

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by 610.Dad

As a (very proud) Team 610 Parent who was fortunate enough to have been allowed to accompany his son's team to what for me was my very first robotics event, I thought I would share my perspective. Perhaps some other teams' members may share it with their parents in the hope of encouraging more parental involvement in this amazing program...

It's these kinds of posts that make me proud to be a member of FIRST. You sir, clearly understand the point of why your kid is involved with the program.

[O'Sancheski]

The 2013 Granite State Regional was the best regional that I have been too in my 6 years of FIRST. I would like to thank all the volunteers and coordinators that ran the event. It was run so smoothly and we even were running a little bit ahead of schedule on Saturday.

To the people over on 610. Thank you for picking 4124. Working with you guys was amazing. The students and mentors blew me away at their friendliness and willingness to help. The best example was when both of our twins were having communication problems right before eliminations had started and the students of 610 came over to our pits and fixed both 229 and 4124 knowing that they might be facing 229 in eliminations. That shows true gracious professionalism. You guys are without a doubt the best team that I have worked with.

To 3609, The Duct Tape Dragons. I will echo what Nick said and say that you were a steal in the draft. You guys should have not lasted that far in the draft and were the pick that made our alliance. I walked in on Thursday morning and told myself that you guys would be a great pick. Your amazing defense and willingness to do anything that we told you will make you a great alliance partner forever. I am so happy that you guys are going to championships.

Another congratulations goes to Chaos for winning chairmain's. You guys deserved the crown and look forward to competing with you at champs.

Last but not least. Thank you to all the students and mentors of Clarkson Robotics for making my first regional as a mentor the most memorable event that I have ever been too. I look forward to many more to come.

[kstl99]

Originally Posted by Jay Money 1058

It's these kinds of posts that make me proud to be a member of FIRST. You sir, clearly understand the point of why your kid is involved with the program.

I must agree. All the points made by 610.Dad are so important to what FIRST is that it is very hard to give a quick and concise explanation of the organization.

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by Jay Money 1058

It's these kinds of posts that make me proud to be a member of FIRST. You sir, clearly understand the point of why your kid is involved with the program.

I Second That Emotion.

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski

The 2013 Granite State Regional was the best regional that I have been too in my 6 years of FIRST. I would like to thank all the volunteers and coordinators that ran the event. It was run so smoothly and we even were running a little bit ahead of schedule on Saturday.

To the people over on 610. Thank you for picking 4124. Working with you guys was amazing. The students and mentors blew me away at their friendliness and willingness to help. The best example was when both of our twins were having communication problems right before eliminations had started and the students of 610 came over to our pits and fixed both 229 and 4124 knowing that they might be facing 229 in eliminations. That shows true gracious professionalism. You guys are without a doubt the best team that I have worked with.

Last but not least. Thank you to all the students and mentors of Clarkson Robotics for making my first regional as a mentor the most memorable event that I have ever been too. I look forward to many more to come.

This one too.
Captures the reasons why we "waste" our time engaging in this silly pursuit.

[JohnBoucher]

Originally Posted by 610.Dad

As a (very proud) Team 610 Parent who was fortunate enough to have been allowed to accompany his son's team to what for me was my very first robotics event, I thought I would share my perspective. Perhaps some other teams' members may share it with their parents in the hope of encouraging more parental involvement in this amazing program.

It's terrific to hear these stories. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Racer26]

Echoing everyone's response to 610.Dad: Welcome. Many times in my 11 years of participating in this program I've seen the very tangible changes its made in people's lives, my own included. It even changes the adults it touches. The program is really done a disservice when its treated like its a "high-school" robotics competition.

There are few things more exciting than watching a young student transform from knowing nothing about tools and how to do something, to seeking an engineering degree at university, to having a successful career in a STEM field, and knowing that you're at least partly responsible for the change.

[Skragnoth]

I'm sorry to bring this thread to a somber note, but I have some sad news. Team 3609 will unfortunately not be able to attend the Championships in St. Louis. We are unable to meet the financial burden of registration or travel. We tried as hard as we could, but FIRST needs the registration payment by 5 PM EST today and there's no way we can meet that. We wish teams 610 and 4124 the best of luck, along with all of the other teams that will be attending!

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by Skragnoth

I'm sorry to bring this thread to a somber note, but I have some sad news. Team 3609 will unfortunately not be able to attend the Championships in St. Louis. We are unable to meet the financial burden of registration or travel. We tried as hard as we could, but FIRST needs the registration payment by 5 PM EST today and there's no way we can meet that. We wish teams 610 and 4124 the best of luck, along with all of the other teams that will be attending!

Give your Regional Coordinator a call right now, I've seen some very creative ways they can help teams in these situations. Don't give up!