STATE CHAMPS! RoboZone

In this episode, we revisit the episode covering the SWERVE. Cory, Jon, and Mark join the podcast and provide their insights and approach of how their teams use the Swerve drive. With Cory's extensive experience, Mark's teams' recent dive into the platform and Jon's team looking at a future implementation the Swerve platform is explained and how this platform is the latest and greatest topic that teams across the country are discussing.

Interviewees:
Jon Uren - Team 1684
Cory Walters - Team 2767
Mark Faunce - Team 3536

Episode Description -
In this episode, I speak with Jerry Budd about the FIRST Choice program that goes live for the Ultimate Recharge season on Friday, November 22nd at 12:00PM Eastern Standard Time. Jerry provides us with a history of the FIRST Choice program and his involvement, experiences, and agony of getting everything ready for this year's edition of the event.

Jerry provides some examples of past items in the FIRST Choice program and also gives us some valuable advice on how mentors really should be putting their choices in! This is not an episode you will want to miss! Get Ready for FIRST Choice boys and girls and get your lineup ready for submissions! Good luck to all of those mentors and team on trying to get valuable parts for your upcoming season!

Interviewees:
Jerry Budd - AndyMark

Episode Description -
In this episode, Jon and Scott provide their first impressions on the release of the new Falson 500 Brushless motor and how they are going to test these as soon as they have them in their hands. The group also talks about new additions to the ongoing list of releases for products that FRC teams can use now and in the coming season. If your team purchases any new products we would like to get you on the podcast to provide your valuable feedback and experiences. Also, if you would like to win an AndyMark Anniversary T-Shirt be the first to email me at [email protected] and provide me with your address the 1st two individuals to do so will get a snazzy AndyMark T-Shirt!

Interviewees:
Jon Uren - Team 1684
Scott Stap - Team 5084

Episode Description -
In this episode, we speak with Liz Smith, an Application Engineer from AndyMark. Liz tells us about her vast FIRST experiences from growing up through the FIRST program to working with AndyMark as an Applications Engineer. Liz tells us about her experiences with writing documentation for instruction manuals, team branding, performing the duties as an FTA, and Drive Coach. It was a great interview and covers many aspects of Liz's life and what it is like being a FIRST alumnus now working for a company like AndyMark!

Interviewee:
Liz Smith, Applications Engineer - AndyMark

Episode Description -
In this episode, I first have a one on one discussion with Danny from AndyMark. Danny knows more about the FTC SkyStone game at this point then anyone with his involvement in the design of the field elements that AndyMark knows sells to the general public. Danny provides his interpretation of the game and also tells us what it is like to work for the world-famous AndyMark company. Next, we have Kim, John, and Scott that stop by for a quick interview about the Kettering University Mentors Camp coming up this weekend and what seminars will be available to mentors from the rookie to veteran. This is an information-packed episode you don't want to miss!

Interviewees:
Danny Blau - AndyMark
Kim Shumaker - Kettering University FIRST Center
John Wolfert - Kettering University FIRST Center
Scott Stap - Team 5084

Kettering University Mentors Camp Link: https://www.first-mentor-day-ku-2019.eventbrite.com

Episode Description -
In this episode, we speak with Chris Sommer from the Loose Screws. Chris provides us with his outlook on SkyStone. Chris and I discuss the game further and he informs us on how his team is approaching the game and what their plans are to overcome the limitations such as spacing on the field of play.

Interviewee -
Chris Sommers – The Loose Screws

Episode Description -
In this episode, Jen an experienced FTC Mentor stops by right after the Sky Stone game reveal and provides her opinion on the game thus far. She provides some valuable strategy tips for approaching this game and also provides some valuable project management tips that any team, no matter the level, could use to position themselves in a better approach to any game.

Interview -
Jennifer Cellarius - Hartland FTC Teams #5290, 5957, 15104

Episode Description -
In this episode, Don Bossi, the President of FIRST stops by for his farewell interview on the RoboZone Podcast. Don will soon be leaving the FIRST Leadership group and he provides some insights on his tenure with FIRST. This was a very special interview in my opinion and hope you enjoy Don's thoughts on FIRST and what he will miss.

Interviewees:
Don Bossi - President, FIRST Inspires

In this episode, the infamous Daniel "Danny" Diaz stops by for an interview. Danny leads the Deep Space Game Development team and provides some insights on how the games each year is designed integrated on and implemented. He provides a great deal of information on the inner working of FIRST from his experiences as a FIRST Inspires employee. This is NOT an episode you will want to miss.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXU4jbGRZNE&fbclid=IwAR07KQYoJhyBf6uwzgji0P1PwaaGU_dbJhCzxP9-76dDUBNwqXMWL9zBmrY

Interviewees:
Danny Diaz - FIRST Inspires

In this episode, Cory, Jon, and Mark join the podcast and provide their insights and approach of how their teams use the Swerve drive. With Cory's extensive experience, Mark's teams' recent dive into the platform and Jon's team looking at a future implementation the Swerve platform is explained and how this platform is the latest and greatest topic that teams across the country are discussing. It has been a little while since our last episode but after a short leave of absence, the RoboZone Podcast is BACK and ready for the upcoming competitive seasons for both FTC and FRC!

Interviewees:
Jon Uren - Team 1684
Cory Walters - TeaM 2767
Mark Faunce - Team 3536