Team leaders, here’s another update. Please pass this info to your team members.
Last week, I promised an update on MN-wide Zoom meetings conducted by our very own MC extraordinaire, Yoji Shimizu. The last meeting is archived at (https://www.youtube.com/watch
MN FRC teams,
The next Virtual Minnesota Best Bot Ever Meet Up will be Saturday, April 18 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM. This will be a Rookie Team Showcase! Please join us to celebrate and support our amazing rookie teams. We’ll be able to share stories and provide advice.
Complete this brief RSVP Google form to receive further information for the April 18 Meet Up – https://forms.gle/98yYrqLVp4GR
And save the date for two other virtual events (details to come):
–Virtual Minnesota Best Bot Ever Meet Up #3 – Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 PM
–Minnesota FIRST 2020 Graduation Celebration – Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 PM
Send an email to shimi002@umn.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Yoji Shimizu
COVID-19 PPE supplies update
Lots of teams are actively engaged in producing various forms of PPE and ventilation equipment. Most are using the team/school 3D printers to make face shields and masks. If your team is looking for a way to distribute the PPE that you’ve created, contact your local police, fire departments, health care facilities, etc. If you are producing a lot of PPE (>500 pieces), please see this MN government page (https://mn.gov/mmb/ppe/donate
Team 2052, KnightKrawler from New Brighton, has a full explanation on how to make face shields (https://www.team2052.com ) and are churning them out with school district and 3M (big FIRST sponsor) donations and funding.
Team 2883, F.R.E.D from Warroad, has posted their .stl files (https://www.team2883.com/file
The Nordeast Makers in Minneapolis have a good getting started page (https://www.nordeastmakers.co
One of our sponsors, Cirrus Aircraft, is heading up a consortium of businesses to create positive airflow respirators from the 3M PARA design (another big sponsor).
Also, watch Twitter for updates from all the other teams that are helping out in some manner – 4607- Becker, 2491 – NoMythic, 2177- Robettes, 2667-Knights of the Valley, 3026-Delano, 3313-Woodbury, 4360-Moorehead, and 5653-Babbitt.
Volunteer of the Year Awards
There were two Volunteer of the Year awards that we were unable to give out because of event suspensions, North Star and 10,000 Lakes presented by the Medtronic Foundation.
North Star Regional – 3M Warehouse crew
As you know, we’ve had an official playing field for post-season events for several years. What you’re not aware of is the logistics of how the field moves around and where it resides between events. Well, the field has been stored in a donated space at a 3M facility since 2012 and moves in and out of that warehouse several times a year. Without their space and logistics help, our post-season events wouldn’t be possible. Because the warehouse is a secured facility, the coordination of those moves is well orchestrated. Getting the field to where the next event is happening involves a team of 4 – 6 people, clearance from the warehouse management team, Bill Heiple and Ann Millerbernd, and movement of trucks to and from the very busy loading docks. Unfortunately, in dealing with trucking companies, these moves are sometimes spur of the moment actions and the 3M warehouse crew bails us out every time by moving the cases and carpets for us. There are also times when extraordinary circumstances require case movements outside normal business hours. Bill and Ann have always accommodated us. One of the most recent examples for their above and beyond efforts was storing our 5 AndyMark fields (obtained through the MN State grant) until receiving teams could pick them up. On top of that, Bill is going to provide us with a road-worthy, 53’ trailer to move the competition field around town. This will be a huge benefit to post-season event coordinators. Next time you see a 3M employee, thank them for their company’s contributions. (Note: if Robots on the Plaza at 3M happens in August this year, we’ll be giving the award to Bill and Ann in person).
10,000 Lakes presented by the Medtronic Foundation – Freestyle Productions
The 10,000 Lakes Regional presented by the Medtronic Foundation wants to thank and recognize the folks in black who deliberately stay in the background at our events. Many of you may never have noticed them (that is the idea), but others of you have learned, using their added equipment, the technicalities of what is important to show us so we can enjoy a broader view of the competition especially if our seats are not the best or we are in another room and have learned to webcast so those at home can enjoy the event. They are always there and ready when we need help with equipment and advice….Freestyle Productions.
Stay safe!
Mark Lawrence
Chairman, MN FIRST Regional Planning Committee