STATE CHAMPS! RoboZone

RoboZone Podcast Episode #089 - Kickoff Review with Frank Merrick!

Episode Description -
In this episode, we speak with FRC Director Frank Merrick about Deep Space. He provides us with some updates on the season thus far, his review on this years kickoff and how to handle items such as inclement weather during build season! Finally, we have a winner of the AndyMark giveaway!

Interview -
Frank Merrick - Director, FIRST Robotics Competition

Episode Description -
In this episode, we speak with Andy Baker from AndyMark. Andy provides some background on AndyMark and how the company prepares for an upcoming FRC season. Andy informs us about what each day is like within the company during a build season. He also provides some advice for younger teams on when to order certain parts for your team both within and outside of the FRC season.

Interview -
Andy Baker - Co-Owner/CEO of AndyMark - www.andymark.com/

RoboZone Podcast Episode #087 - Let's talk PNEUMATICS Baby!

Episode Description -
In this episode, two weeks into build season our panel is still in the design phases for each of their teams. We talk about pneumatics and how they have been used in the past, how they can be used for Deep Space and the aspects teams need to be aware of during this part of your robot design. Coding for pneumatics is also discussed and how preparing your code NOW can help your coding team and the team overall once your practice robot or competition robot is ready to deploy code to and start the testing of your sub-systems.

Interviewees:
Tony Diodato - Team 5460
Parker - Student Driver/CAD - Team 5460
Chris Purdy - Team 3534

In this episode, with the kick off of Deep Space and the game announcement this past weekend we sit down with a variety of FRC mentors to capture their initial thoughts of the Deep Space game! The mentors provide a glimpse of what their teams are planning for and how they broke down the Deep Space game thus far. This is not an episode you will want to miss! We also we have a giveaway from AndyMark for items you MAY need for your robot this season.

Interviewees:
Jack Rumple - Team 4418
Jon Uren - Team 1684
Ed Wynne - Team 3536
Mark Faunce - Team 3536

In this episode, we have a round-table discussion with Mentors that are entering their second season within FRC. Jeremy, Paul and I provide some lessons learned through our first season in FRC with Power Up and how our experiences can be passed on to those individuals starting a team this season. In addition we have an additional gove away which you need ot listen to the entire episode to know how to participate. Finally and on behalf of the entire RoboZone Crew and Family we want to wish all of you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Interviewees -
Jeremy Callahan - Team 7211
Paul Garrett - Team 7166

Episode Description -
In this episode, we revisit episode #40 where we spoke with a fellow Rookie Team mentor and discuss the things that are needed to get a team ready for the upcoming FRC season with Power Up. We also have the Woody Flowers Award Winner Andrew Spiece on the podcast to give some insight and advice for rookie teams.

Interview -
Andrew Spiece - Team 314
Jeremy Callahan - Team 7211

FIRST Link: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/2019-space-at-regionals-and-a-shopping-list?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=68317203&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-874ovAwkXb5dgrE0R6PM5n2jKAP8qD27WiEWImT8crjhUcf6btnYN2XIIQ3Y9-n9qTKmbPZv40bZIGY373qns-pbjT-g&_hsmi=68317203

Episode Description -
In this episode, I get the great privledge to interview Frank Merrick from FIRST. Dunring this interview we cover topics such as Franks background and adventure into FIRST, his experiences from past seasons, and what his favorite game has been. We discuiss the events that led up to the announcement of removing Bag Day for the 2020 season and why the 2019 was not the right time for the change. Finally there is a huge announcement about something that will be in our Kit of Parts for this season. This is an episode you do NOT want to miss. There is a tshirt giveaway at the end so please listen all the way through!

Interviewee: Frank Merrick - Director - FIRST Robotics Competition

Episode Description -
In this action-packed episode, we catch up on the FTC Rover Ruckus game. We talk about the HUGE Bag Rules change for FRC season 2020 and finally, we discuss SLACK and how the application and its implementation can help your team NOW!

Interviewees:
Scott Stap - Head Mentor - Team 5084
John Hankerd - Head Mentor - Team 5260

Episode Description -
In this episode, we speak with Jason and Trace from Team 5234. This Father and Son coding duo provide some insights, suggestions and proven methods of coding that you can implement in your team right now. From coding to testing to scrum methodologies the discussion hit on multiple areas that a team can focus their efforts NOW to better their team's processes before the start of the Deep Space.

Interviewees -
Jason and Trace Kusnier - Team 5234
Webiste: http://www.marauderbots.com
Twitter : @frc5234
Instagram: marauderbots5234
Git Hub: https://github.com/marauderbots
Testing Frameworks:
- JUnit - https://junit.org
- Mockito - https://site.mockito.org/

Episode Description -
In this episode we revisit an early episode in our podcast history, number 17 where Brandi Bollinger from Team 2337 the EngiNERDS from Grand Blanc provides her learning experiences! Brandi is a wealth of knowledge and helps provide some great informaiton that a mentor, no matter their level of experience, can learn from.

Interviewee: Brandi Bollinger - Co-Head Mentor - Team 2337, Grand Blanc, Michigan
website: www.team2337.com