Sunday, April 2, 2017

CCTS ROBOTICS UPDATE / CHAIRMAN'S AWARD WINNERS / MID ATLANTIC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DETAILS!!!


What an exciting last few weeks this has been for Camden County Tech Robotics FIRST Team #203!  As you know, our success has been beyond our expectations and true testament to all involved including our family boosters, volunteers, mentors, coaches, and most importantly our student team members!

Our robot has been performing exceptionally well for the last two competitions and proceeding through the quarter finals at each.  At Chestnut Hill, our team was honored with the Entrepreneurialship Award as well as a safety recognition for our Safety Captain Sam T. 

Certainly the highlight for the last two weeks was the honor of winning the MAR Seneca District Chairman’s Award.  As you all know, this is the most prestigious award in all of FIRST Robotics.  Per the standards laid out for the award, “The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FIRST Robotics Competition on the ultimate goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today’s youth to become scientists, engineers, and technologists.”    This is truly one of the highlights of our nearly 20 year history of the team.  It honors everything we have done as team in the community, our school, to promote “STEAM” and the values of FIRST Robotics! 

This coming week our team has been invited and qualified to represent our school at the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Robotics Championships at Lehigh University!   Not only will our robot be competing against the other top 60 robots in the Mid-Atlantic Region, but we will be competing for the Regional Championship Chairman’s award.  We will be one of seven teams who won the chairman’s at the 7 various MAR district level competitions.  Our team will be on contention for the Regional Chairman’s Award against the 6 other district level chairman’s teams.  This is the first time in our history that we have won this honor to compete amongst this select group. 

We have put together a travel info packet for students traveling daily to the regional championships.  In this packet is a letter, general info, travel agenda, and permission form.  The permission form is due to Mr. DePrince ASAP.  Please find the link to the packet here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-sGgCte189KczJTYVFqNlpmQTQ/view?usp=sharing.  TRAVEL INFO PACKET LINK

We strongly encourage our families and supporters to attend!  This is a great event and very family friendly!!!!  It is double the size of the district events that we already attended and is hosted at the Stabler Area on the beautiful campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.  More info is in the travel info packet! 

If you have any questions or can't read the link e-mail the Robotics coaching staff at 
robotics@ccts.net or call 856-767-7000 x5419.

GO CCTS ROBOTICS!!  GO TEAM #203!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MR DEPRINCE, MR MCALPIN AND MR NORTON
CCTS ROBOTICS COACH / ADVISOR / MENTORS


Sunday, February 26, 2017

CCTS Robotics Update 2/26/2017

GREETINGS CCTS ROBOTICS:

Here is a Robotics Update for 2/26/2017:


A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOOSTERS PRESIDENT ABOUT
DESIGNER HANDBAG BINGO  -  FRIDAY MARCH 3, 2017



Greetings,

I want to thank all of the parents that attended Wednesday nights meeting it was wonderful to see you.  

Our biggest fundraiser is less than a week away and we really NEED you to help with ticket sales, normally this close to the date I am sending emails saying get your tickets before they are gone, but today I am saying please get your tickets.  We have plenty of space left.  we can reserve tables of 10-- they get a round, and 8's can have a long table reserved. 

Please click on this link to view the flyer: Handbag Bingo Flyer
I promise its a fun night out.  It is a BYOB and you can bring adult beverages to the REC center.
I have attached the flyer and evening.  Please share on your social media and with family, friends and co-workers.  

If you need anything please do not hesitate to call or text me at 609-680-6173.  

Hopefully you all received the  sign up Genius request from Joy to sign up to help, if you did not but are able to lend a hand, please email me back. 
             Set up will be Friday from 11:30 am-5pm-- anytime you are free
             We need baked goods-- drop off anytime between 10 am and  6pm
             Ticket Sellers at the door 5pm-- 7pm
              Supplies for bingo sellers 5pm--7pm--10pm
             Silent Auction monitors 5:30pm--10pm
              Trash patrol 7:30pm--11pm
              50/50 ticket sellers 5pm--10pm

Here is a link to the picture of the handbags: Designer Bingo Bag Photos

Please know that the times I listed are how long I think we need someone to monitor that, but you do not have to commit to the entire time slot thanks


Denise

STOP BUILD DAY!

This past Tuesday, February 21, 2017 was the official stop build day for the FIRST Robotics Season!!  Our Robot had to be "bagged and tagged" by midnight on that day!  Our build team, coaches and parents stayed late on Tuesday until after 11PM putting the finishing touches on the robot! We spend the next few weeks working on our award submissions, safety, scouting android app, and perfecting our control systems.  We will also practice driving and other items on our sesond, "alpha" or "prototype" robot.

Here are pics from the stop build day!

Before putting the robot in the bag!!

It's in the bag!!

SHIRT ORDERS

Each student receives a free t-shirt as part of their membership and participation in CCTS Robotics to wear at the FIRST Robotics Competitions.    Students and family members may also purchase additional shirts to wear at the competitions.  We are also selling team hoodies this year for team members.

Order are due by March 3 to Mr. DePrince's office.  The order form was mailed home two weeks ago.  If you need another one see and coach or you can download the form at the following link:  2017 CCTS Robotics Shirt Order Form


MEETING PACKET

A number of you could not attend the mandatory meeting last week.  There was a lot of forms and paperwork handed out that must be filled out.  Please see Mr. DePrince on Monday to pickup your packet!!!!


ALL STUDENTS / PARENTS / GUARDIANS NEED TO REGISTER ONLINE!!

Everyone - STUDENTS, PARENTS, & GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER ONLINE.  Please follow this link to register:  FIRST Robotics Registration

Please do so asap!!

CCTS Tech Challenge - THANK YOU!

Thank you to the student team members and parents who volunteered this past Saturday for the CCTS Tech Challenge.  We had over 100 middle school students representing their schools in building a hot dog launcher and competing with them.  It was a huge success in large part to the voluneerism of our students, coaches, and family members.   CCTS Robotics also sponsored the Safety Award which was given to Audubon School's team.  Special Thanks to our student team leaders Sam, Abbie and Lorena for being the safety judges for the day!

Here is a link to an article in today's Philadelphia Inquirer about yesterday's event: "Launching hot dogs didn't get these students detention"

Here is also some pics of CCTS Robotics supporting the event:

Our Safety Award Trophy we Sponsored

Our Safety Award Medals that our Team Presented

Dan Helping a Middle School Team

Emma giving instructions

One of our parents helping

Dan, Again!

Anthony in action

Justin and Anthony lending a hand

Victoria assisting the winning team!

Bringing in the Hot Dog Launchers

Bringing in the Hot Dog Launchers

Adrianna and Leann with our demo robot!

Our Demo Robot dancing with the CCTS Warrior!

Our Robot in Action!

Mr. DePrince with his son Anthony at the Competition

Mr. DePrince, Sam and Lorena giving the safety award and medals

Mr. DePrince, Sam and Lorena giving the safety award and medals

CCTS Robotics with our robot and the Safety Award Winners!

Emma with the CCTS Warrior (AKA Robotics Team Member Bridget)

PARTICIPATION FEE-PAST DUE

All students are required to pay a $75.00 participation fee.  This helps offset only small percentage of the costs of the program.  This fee is do now.  Please pay by check or money order made out to Camden County Tech Robotics and bring to Mr. DePrince's Office in Building #12. 

No student will be denied participation based on ability to pay. Parents/Guardians may contact Mr. DePrince for a fee waiver.  All requests are confidential. 

As always if you ever need to contact one of the coach/advisors, please e-mail Mr. DePrince at tdeprince@ccts.net or call 856-767-7000 x5419.

GO CCTS ROBOTICS!!!!

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Robotics Update 1-21-2017

Hello CCTS Robotics, Here is the CCTS Robotics Update for January 21, 2017.

Believe it or not it has been two weeks since the "snowy" kickoff event on January 7!   Since learning about this years FRC Game - "STEAMWORKS"  the students, volunteers, and coach mentors of CCTS Robotics have been working hard everyday after school as well as the weekends!

Our VEX students have been working equally as hard getting ready for "STARSTRUCK" with their first competition taking place on Saturday January 28. Look for details below....
Here is an update and some important information below...


WORK SESSIONS FOR THE WEEK:

FRC ROBOTICS WORK SESSIONS:

Everyday (Mon thru Fri) after school in Room 5-12
Saturday - 10AM to 5PM (or Later) in Room 5-12
SUNDAY - To Be Determined (but likely) in Room 5-12


VEX WORK SESSIONS:

WED, THU & FRI after school in Room 2-4.


VEX COMPETITION - SATURDAY JANUARY 28
  • Students will be required to report to CCTS by 5:45AM
  • All students must report to school and travel by school bus to and from the competition.  All students travel as a team!
  • The event is being held at Burlington County Institute of Technology.  Here is the address: 
  • 10 Hawkin Road, Medford, New Jersey
  • Here is the official competition agenda:
    • 7:00am - Doors Open to Teams
    • 7:00-8:00 - Inspections
    • 8:00-10:00 - Skills Challenges
    • 10:00-3:00 - Qualification Rounds
    • 3:00-5:30 - Elimination Rounds
    • 5:30 - Final Awards and Closing Remarks
  • Students will travel back to the school by school bus.  Students will need to be picked up at the school when we return. 
  • Everyone's family is invited to attend...COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR TEAM!!
  • Permission forms and other documents will be handed out by Mr. Norton and be required to be returned. 
ALL STUDENTS / PARENTS / GUARDIANS NEED TO REGISTER ONLINE!!

Everyone - STUDENTS, PARENTS, & GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER ONLINE.  Please follow this link to register:  https://my.firstinspires.org/AccountManager/Account/Register 

Please do so asap!!

WORK SESSIONS

It is expected that students make every effort to attend all work sessions.  This is like any other sport or activity....participation, practice and hard work are part of the program.  To be the best you must make every effort to be there.   Our season is now and runs over weekends, holidays and other non-school days.   You will get as much out of this as you put in it!  Please do your best and be here!


PARTICIPATION FEE

All students are required to pay a $75.00 participation fee.  This helps offset only small percentage of the costs of the program.  This fee is do now.  Please pay by check or money order made out to Camden County Tech Robotics and bring to Mr. DePrince's Office in Building #12.

No student will be denied participation based on ability to pay. Parents/Guardians may contact Mr. DePrince for a fee waiver.  All requests are confidential.


T-SHIRT ORDERS

A T-Shirt and other robotics apparel order form will be sent home in the next few weeks.  Each student will be given one free team shirt.  However, students, family members and others may order shirts and other apparel on this form.
Please be sure to return the form by the due date.  The form will be mailed home.


VOLUNTEERS

As discussed before, we are a family orientated team.  We are always looking for volunteers to help out with our fundraising, building and other activities.  We can always use a spare pair of hands!  Please contact Mr. DePrince or our boosters president Denise Barr to volunteer!  We need your help!


FUNDRAISING

Robotics is a costly program related to the registration fees, robot expenses, travel, etc.  We have a number of fundraising initiatives coming up.  All families and students are required to help, sell tickets and participate!  We will be sending out information in the near future with our events and dates.  Stay tuned!


SPONSORSHIP

If you know of a company or organization interested in sponsoring our team, please contact Mr. DePrince.  We can provide you with a sponsorship packet!  Sponsors will be featured on our T-Shirts, etc.


COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE

CCTS Robotics is always looking for community service opportunities!   We go to many middle school programs, science fairs, technology expos, etc....Let us know if you need us to present our STEM Robotics program in your community.  We will try to schedule our students and staff to participate!


CCTS ROBOTICS PARTICIPATES IN SCIENCE FAIR AT MAGNOLIA PUBLIC SCHOOL

Here are some pics of our robots and students presenting at the Magnolia School Science Fair:





As always, if you have any questions please e-mail us at robotics@ccts.net.  

GO CCTS ROBOTICS!!!!