New VEX Canadian Team

[Ravi_B]

I've recently revived the Robotics program at my high school (Turner Fenton, Brampton ON) We were largely involved in Canada FIRST but when it went under the Robotics program went with it.

I need to know about when the Canadian (or in general) regional events will be held. I know the schedule is still being worked out but from your experience when can I expect to be competing. I also have a question about the minium 10 team member cap. I want to get as many people involved in this as possible. Is the 10 person maxium only for those attending the event or those only on the build/design team? How does this member limit break down?

The reason I ask is because since there has been no Robotics or similar program at my school for about 3 years the students have little experience with this kind of technology and what not. That being said I wanted to take some time and get them familiarized with robotics in general, drive trains, pneumatics, electronics, applications and rapid prototyping.

I've decided to start up with VEX for obvious reasons, we have no official mentor. I guess I'm the closest thing to it with 5 years of combat robotics experience I'll be leading the team this season.
Any helpful comments are appreciated.

Thank You

-Ravi

[Karthik]

Ravi,

Expect the Toronto Vex tournament to be held in late November, although no date has been confirmed. Keep your eye on this page http://www.usfirst.org/vex/events/ for updates.

[Steve W]

There will be a VEX tournament in Toronto. I have spoken to Karen Rosenthal the FIRST Canadian Administrator. She is still working on a time and place. There may be other events for practice come up but nothing yet cast in stone.

If you have more than 10 people it would be good to look into getting a second kit. I find that I trip over myself sometimes when working on my VEX robot. Enhance the experience with a second or third kit. (This is not a blatant plug for VEX but if they want to pay me I could change)

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Ravi_B

I've recently revived the Robotics program at my high school (Turner Fenton, Brampton ON) We were largely involved in Canada FIRST but when it went under the Robotics program went with it.

I need to know about when the Canadian (or in general) regional events will be held. I know the schedule is still being worked out but from your experience when can I expect to be competing. I also have a question about the minium 10 team member cap. I want to get as many people involved in this. Is the 10 person maxium only for those attending the event or those only on the build/design team? How does this member limit break down?

Your team can have up to ten students, although it seems that the sweet spot is in the 5-7 range. If your program grows bigger than that, there's always registering another team. That team can either buy the bundle kit, or just buy the essential parts (motors, controller, radio, etc.) and bum metal and wheels and such off of the other team.

We're glad to have you aboard! After seeing it in person during the pilot season, I think that FVC is a great starting point for a robotics program. I think the kids will enjoy it.

[Ravi_B]

Thanks for the info, I'm planning to get under way next week once the 'club' has been approved and funds have been dealt with. I don't have enough funding to run two teams so I'll just have to figure out what do in the event that the turn out is larger then 10 people.
I'm hopping to get the minium required fee from the school while raising the rest of the funds through fund raising and sponsorship. Additional fee's include; additional VEX parts, tools, transport etc.

I see now that we maybe competeing as soon as late October...doesn't leave me much time.

-Ravi
Previously FRC Team 1411 Turner Fenton Robotics