Ask An Expert: Informational Calls for Teams, Mentors and Coaches
Every year, our FIRST Senior Mentors host informational calls for rookie and veteran teams, mentors and coaches. These are invaluable for those who are new to FIRST and also for those who need to brush up on their skills. Typically, these calls begin in late August and continue through February of the following year, and in the end, cover roughly 25 topics, cross-program.
Here are some sample calls from previous years:
- FLL: Coach 101-The Robot Game-Core Values-Judging
- FTC: Mentor 101-Samantha-Team Strategy
- FRC- Choosing a Competition-Chairman's Award-Robot Transporation List
Please review our call schedule below for the 2011-2012 season. There are still many calls available, and all of the call recordings are posted to our site within 1-2 days after the call.
For all calls dial: 1-866-951-1151, Conference room # 9533018
FLL Call Schedule
Where Do I Start? Coach Orientation
Experts: Frank Merrick
Host: FSM Sally Sylvester-VA
Date: 8/15/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: Review the materials that every team receives – Coaches’ Handbook, Project DVD, FIRST Compilation DVD, Robot Set, Field Setup Kit, Field Building instructions. Ideas on how to start team building in the first weeks. Important dates should be reviewed (Challenge Release date, signing up for a Tournament). Field questions as time allows.
Coaching a Team
Expert: Nick Swayne
Host: FSM Don Brobst- DC
Date: 8/23/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: More detailed description of what to expect as a coach. How to structure the season. Diving into the Coaches’ Handbook. Description of the 3 parts of FLL – Robot Game, Project, and Core Values. Field questions as time allows.
The Robot Game
Expert: Scott Evans
Host: FSM Vicki Coaty-MN
Date: 9/12/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: Explanation of the field and mission models. What are the new/changed rules for the season? Tell callers where to find the rules, missions, and Field Setup instructions on the web. Field questions as time allows.
Basic Programming: Tips, Skills, & Resources
Expert: Tim Lankford (LEGO NA)
Host: FSM Henry Graham-MO
Date: 9/7/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: High level overview of the software and system requirements to use the LEGO NXT robot set. Where to find resources available on the web. Field questions as time allows.
The Project
Expert: Margie Brown
Host: FSM Rose Young- MD
Date: 9/19/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: Description of how the Project fits into the theme. Emphasis on the importance of the Project and example of how teams took their Project to the next level. Explain the different steps of the Project and how teams should tackle them. List of resources (YouTube videos) on the web. Field questions as time allows.
Core Values/Teamwork
Expert: Cathy Swider
Host: FSM Lia Schwinghammer-NC
Date: 9/21/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: Review of what the FLL Core Values are. How to emphasize these values with the team. What to expect at tournaments as far as Core Values. Core Values are just as important as the Project and Robot Game. Field questions as time allows.
Judging: A Perspective for The Coach
Expert: S. Gridley, Jodi Kravitz
Host: FSM Teri Benart-CA
Date: 10/13/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: High level overview of the simplified judging process for this season. Review of the rubrics and where they can be found (on web). Field questions as time allows.
Preparing for an FLL Event
Expert: Ernie DiCicco
Host: FSM Nancy McIntyre-CA
Date: 10/20/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Overview: What to expect at an event. Making sure team is registered and has all appropriate information. What to bring to Judging. What does a typical tournament day look like. Field questions as time allows.
Teams in Transition
Expert: Mathew Coleman (TBD) Mark and Jill Edelman (TBD) Transitioning from FLL to FTC-what to expect.
Host: FSM Heidi Lovett-WA
Date: 11/30/2011 7 P.M. ET
FTC Call Schedule
FTC Mentor 101: Discussion of how to register a Team, season timeline, recruiting mentors, and organizing a Team.
Host: FSM Mary Roberts-GA
Expert/Partner: Jill Wilker
Date: 9/19/2011, 7:30pm ET
Teams in Transition: Transitioning from FTC to FRC-what changes, what are some new challenges, what’s different?
Host: FSM Tara Bowen-Biggs-OR
FTC Expert/Partner: Joe Passofaro- FRC Expert
Date: 9/14/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Teams in Transition: Transitioning from FLL to FTC-what to expect, how does the ‘game’ change, what are the new challenges, what’s different?
Host: FSM Dennis Skurulsky-WI
Expert/Partner: Tim Ewers-FLL/FTC Expert, Cathy Swider – FLL/FTC Expert
Date: 10/3/201, 7 P.M. ET
Build Strategy: What to consider as you build your Robot
Host: TBD
FTC Experts: Ronald Howard, Ronald Pittswood
Date: 10/4/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Software Basics: What to expect at an event, focusing on inspection and field control.
Host: SM Mike Henry, TX
Expert/Partner: Mike Nikolai
Date: 10/6/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Samantha: Field Control Updates
Host:SM Steve Florence, IN
Expert/Partner: John Peabody
Date: 10/12/2011, 7 pm ET
FTC Judging-What to Expect
Host: SM Heidi Lovett-WA: hlovett@usfirst.org
Expert: Kevin Ross, Judge Advisor from Worlds
Date: 10/13/2011, 8 P.M. ET
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/747909858
Robot Strategy: How to Design your Robot to meet the Challenge
Host: TBD
Expert: Ronald Howard, Ronald Pittswood
Date: 10/4/2011, 7 P.M. ET
FTC Scholarship Call: Be prepared for your next move and arm yourself with valuable information on FIRST Scholarship Opportunities
Host: Mike Henry, FSM, Texas
Expert: Nancy Rosenberg: FIRST Scholarship Manager
Date: 10/27/2011, 7 P.M ET
Team Strategy at Events: Build Strategy: What to consider as you build your Robot
Host: FSM Nate Kanuss, NJ/PA
FTC Experts: Ronald Howard, Ronald Pittswood
Date: 11/1/2011, 7 P.M. ET
FRC Call Schedule
Choosing a Competition: Tips and suggestions for successful travel; don’t panic! Resources for Rookie Teams-what to expect at an event
Host: FSM Kathie Kentfield, CT
Expert: Frank Merrick, Deputy Director FRC, FIRST
Date: 9/8/2011, 7 P.M. ET
FRC Mentor Orientation 101: Team Organization, student recruitment, mentor recruitment, organizing your Team, teambuilding strategies, registration information
Host: FSM Mike Henry, TX
Expert: FSM Mike Siegel, NY
Date: 9/22/2011 7 P.M. ET
Teams in Transition: Making the transition from FTC to FRC, how to prepare your Team for changes, and different challenges.
Host: Tara Bowen-Biggs, OR
Expert: Joe Passofaro (FTC)
Date: 9/14/2011, 7 P.M. ET
What Makes a Team a Success? A perspective from teams who have achieved great success in several different areas; tips, best-practices,
Host: FSM Fredi Lajvardi, TX
Expert: TBD
Date: 10/05/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Chairman’s Award: Why everyone should submit a chairman’s entry and how to prepare for this as well as preparing your team for judging.
Host: FSM Rick Sisk, CA
Experts: Wendy Trommer with Allen Bancroft, Cynthia Stong, Jeff Crosby, Dr. Barbara Sanders
Date: 10/25/2011, 7 P.M. ET
FRC Scholarship Call: Be prepared for your next move and arm yourself with valuable information on FIRST Scholarship Opportunities
Host: Mike Henry, FSM, Texas
Expert: Nancy Rosenberg: FIRST Scholarship Manager
Date: 10/27/2011, 7 P.M ET
Control System/Driver’s Station & Beta Test Observations
Host: FSM Keith Hall, IL/IN
Expert: Kevin O'Connor, FRC Engineer, FIRST
Date: 11/21/2011, 7 P.M. ET
Robot Transportation Checklist
Host: FSM Teri Benart, CA
Expert: Frank Merrick, Deputy Director FRC
Date: 2/9/2012, 7 P.M. ET
Getting Ready for your Regional
Host: FSM Ron Borden, NY
Expert: FSM Michael Klanica, PA
Date: 2/23/2012, 7 P.M. ET
