Episode Description -In this episode, I get the chance to talk with the Allison from FRC Team 3538 the RoboJackets. Allison provides some history of the team, her involvement and how the team's success comes from their ability to problem solve quickly. Allison also provides some input on how teams can improve their processes quickly through a concise problem solving process. Finally we discuss the upcoming season, how her team will approach the season and how much Allison LOVES Colson Wheels! This is an episode you will want to hear completely! Interview Panel:Allison Kneisler - Head Mentor Team 3538 The RoboJacketsTeam Website:https://sites.google.com/rjk12.com/team3538/homeWebsite mentioned in podcast:https://www.buyswervewheels.comhttps://www.ltu.edu/

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/r1L8Zb___6EEpisode Description -In this episode, I get the chance to talk with the Leadership Team from Team 7762, the Autopilots. They provide some history of their team since forming the team in 2018. They provide some details on how Covid affected the team during its first couple of years in existence. Looking forward to the 2024 FRC competitive season they try to guess what the game might involve and the challenges that await all FRC teams in the upcoming season. Interview Panel:Rob Black - Head MentorAutopilot Leadership Team - Tyler (Captain), Andrew (Build Lead), Charlie (Safety Captain and Electrical Lead) and Gabe (CAD Lead)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/7XSC2H2F6go Episode Description -In this episode, David Russell and Ed Wynne stop by to give us their FIRST Take on the CENTERSTAGE FTC Game for the 2023 competitive season. We break down the game, make some comparisons to past FRC games and start to see where teams might focus their efforts. This game is complex and challenging so we hope you enjoy this episode.Interview Panel:David Russell - Mentor, Iron DamsEd Wynne - Programming Mentor, 3 Hartland Robotics FTC Teams

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/gVCKQCWWpXgEpisode Description -In this episode, we speak to LTU's Executive Director of Admissions Jane Rohrback. Jane talks about all the scholarships that LTU provides to potential students to the university. From Sports scholarships to STEM and Robotics scholarships, LTU has a vast array of opportunities for students looking to find a university to attend. Kane provides some great advice for students, parents and even mentors when looking at the next step for students leaving high school. It is never too early to start the research for high school students and their scholastic goals. Interview Panel:Jane Rohrback, LTU Executive Director of AdmissionsLinks Mentioned:https://www.ltu.edu/admissionshttps://www.ltu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/CiwRshYrIg0 Episode Description -In this episode, we catch up and check in on the success of Lawernce Technological University's Robofest events that happened during the same time span as the FIRST FRC season. Shannan palonis, LTU's Robofest Coordinator, explains what happened during the series of events and what LTU is focused on for next years Robofest schedule!Interview Panel:Shannan Palonis - LTU Robofest CoordinatorErik Rosvold - Robofest Coach (8 years) and Side HostLinks Mentioned:http://www.robofest.net/

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/urEQmirOiHcEpisode Description -In this episode, Jeff Parks form Error Code 404 stops by and discusses grants. He provides some in-depth detailed instructions on how you can find, apply for and possibly get awarded Grants for your team. Jeff, as the expert Grant writer, also details on some grants to avoid if you are new to grant writing. Every team could use more money so we hope this episode starts your grant writing journey!Interview Panel:Jeff Parks - Head Coach for Team 7226https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/7226

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/sH-ftw8SWJIEpisode Description -In this episode, I discuss on how to create a 501.c3 Non-Profit Organization for your robotics team with Cheryl form the Twisted Angels. Cheryl and her robotics squad just completed this a couple years ago and has helped the Twisted Teams write grants and help get the funds they need each season. The links we reference in this episode are displayed for you below and for your use!Interview Panel:Cheryl Thornton - Head Coach for Team 4422https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/4422501.c3 Links:https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/how-to-start-a-501c3/https://form1023.org/nonprofit-articles-of-incorporation-501c3-template-sample

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/a5cwSNGeww0Episode Description -In this episode, we interview the third member of the Winning Alliance (Team 6090 - Wayland Wildcats) from the FIRST in Michigan State Championships. Each panel member provides a small recap of each of their season, what MSC was like in the qualification matches and how their alliance was meant to become the champs! We get to hear from Mentors and Students including the Drive Coach and a Student Driver of the Wildcats! Interview Panel:Rod Killips - Co-Head Coach - Team 6090 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/6090Dave Merice - Co-Head Coach - Team 6090Isabel - Marketing, Social Media and Outreach - Team 6090Alex C. - Head Coder and Driver - Team 6090Alex K. - Design Lead and Drive Coach - Team 6090

Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/xIkBQmlQ9x4Episode Description -In this episode, we check in with two thirds of the WINNING Alliance from the Michigan State Championships. Each panel member provides a small recap of each of their seasons, what MSC was like in the qualification matches and how their alliance was meant to become the champs! We get to hear from both Drive Coaches and a Student Driver in this episode and how each position saw the game field and what it took to win the State Championship here in Michigan. Interview Panel:Donovan Whitehead - Drive Coach - Team 217 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/217Jeff Olson - Drive Coach - Team 1506 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1506David Goodheart - Driver - Team 1506 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1506

In this episode we check in with Jake Hawley from Team 7211 Hollywood! Jake provides us with a little history of Team Hololywood and how they have been lucky enough to make the FIRST in Michigan State Championships every year since he helped start the team. We collectively talk about what FOM State Championships are like and how teams should get ready for some intense robot action! We would like to thank ALL of the volunteers that help make States Chapionships a reality! Interview Panel:Jake Hawley - Team 7211 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/7211

Episode Description -In this episode we check in with three FIRST FRC Alumni from around the FIRST in Michigan area on how their teams have done thus far in the Charged Up Season! The panel discusses their experiences in FIRST and tells us what they bring to their teams from their days as students now that they have become mentors. We discuss the FIM State Championships and David, from the Twisted Devils, teaches us the Russell Shuffle!Interview Panel:Matthew Seifert - Team 4453 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/4453David Russell - Team 4381 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/4381Gavin Storts - Team 1684 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1684

Episode Description -In this episode we continue with our favorite scouting app for Charged Up Scoutradioz! We ask how the season is going with our panel of interviewees and how they have used ScoutRadioz across their events thus far in the Charged Up Season!Interview Panel:Clint "Eric" Hawks - Scouting Mentor for Team 7166Michael O'Connell - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Nirav Patel - Drive Coach for Team 102Links mentioned in the recording: Scoutradioz Discord: https://discord.gg/9CRytVW6Scoutradioz Website: https://scoutradioz.com/home/

Episode Description - In this episode our round table discussion revolves around the Charged Up Game and experiences from Comp Week 2. The interview panel provides some input on what they had learned, how the game is evolving and what the Meta might be in the weeks to come.Interview Panel: Jay Tembrink - Team 494/70 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/494Ben Shoemaker - Team 3655 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/3655

Episode Description -In this episode our round table discussion revolves around the Charged Up Game and experiences from Comp Week 1 of the Charged Up season. The interview panel provides some input on what they had learned, how you can play defense on the swerve and other great pieces of advice going into your FIRST competition. This is an episode you may need a pen and paper for so enjoy the episode! Interview Panel:Ray Pratt - Team 2611 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/2611Don Ridge - Team 1506 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1506Bruce Stone - Team 302 - https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/302

Episode Description -In this episode we continue with our 3rd in depth discussion on scouting for Charged Up and how Scoutradioz might be the scouting system you have been looking for and can implement in your scouting program leading up the the competitive weeks. The tag team crew from Team 102 talks takes us through an additional demo on the analytics of the application and how even alliance selection can be done while using Scoutradioz! There is a great deal lot of information packed into this episode so please use the links below and start to learn about Scoutradioz and don't forget to join their Discord!Interview Panel:Michael O'Connell - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Nirav Patel - Drive Coach for Team 102Nicholas Giampino - Scouting 2nd for Team 102Links mentioned in the recording: Scoutradioz Discord: https://discord.gg/9CRytVW6Scoutradioz Website: https://scoutradioz.com/home/

Episode Description -In this episode, we speak with Martin Beeker a FRC Head Referee Alumni and current FRC Lead Robot Inspector Mark Kramarczyk. Martin and mark provide their recommendations on how teams should get ready for the upcoming competitive weeks for the Charged Up Season! They provide a summary of the activities that teams will perform and interact with both referees and inspectors during a event. WE would like to thank Martin and Mark for everything they do as volunteers in their positions and what they do for the FRC community in FIRST!Interview Panel:Martin Beeker - FRC Head Referee AlumniMark Kramarczyk - FRC Lead Robot Inspector and Grand PoobahVideo Link: https://youtube.com/live/gILCfTRL-yE

Episode Description -In this episode we continue our discussion on scouting for Charged Up and how Scoutradioz might be the scouting system you have been looking for and can implement in your scouting program leading up the the competitive weeks. The tag team crew from Team 102 talks takes us through an additional demo on the analytics of the application and how even alliance selection can be done while using Scoutradioz! There is a great deal lot of information packed into this episode so please use the links below and start to learn about Scoutradioz and don't forget to join their Discord!Interview Panel:Michael O'Connell - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Jordan Lees - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Links mentioned in the recording: Scoutradioz Discord: https://discord.gg/9CRytVW6Scoutradioz Website: https://scoutradioz.com/home/Podcast Links:Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/M89EDLFMqfQ

Episode Description -In this special episode I interview a a couple of FRC Alumni that are now mentoring their team and getting ready for the FRC Charged Up Season and at the same time creating one of the most robust and configurable scouting apps I have ever seen Scoutradioz! The tag team crew from Team 102 talks about the history of Scoutradioz, where to start from and how it can improve your teams scouting capabilities for any FRC Game! There is a lot of information packed into this episode so please use the links below and start to learn about Scoutradioz and don't forget to join their Discord!Interview Panel:Michael O'Connell - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Jordan Lees - Scoutradioz Developer and Mentor for Team 102Links mentioned in the recording: Scoutradioz Discord: https://discord.gg/9CRytVW6Scoutradioz Website: https://scoutradioz.com/home/

Episode Description:In this special episode I interview a group of FRC Alumni that are now mentoring teams and getting ready for the FRC Charged Up Season but more importantly develop and have released PHOTOVISION for FRC teams to use on their robots! The round table crew talks about the history of PhotonVision, where to start from and how it can improve your robots capabilities for any FRC Game! There is a lot of information packed into this episode so please use the links below and start to learn about PhotonVision and don't forget to join their Discord!Interview Panel:Matthew Morley - PhotonVision Developer and Mentor for Team 5940Chris Gerth - PhotonVision Developer and Mentor for Team 1736Banks Troutman - Lead PhotonVision Developer and Mentor for Team 2974Links mentioned in the recording: PhotonVision Discord: https://discord.com/invite/wYxTwymPhotonVision Website: https://photonvision.org/PhotonVision Docs Website: https://docs.photonvision.org/en/latest/docs/getting-started/installation/index.htmlPodcast Links:Audio link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/13110964/robozone-podcast-episode-182-vision-makeVideo Link: https://youtube.com/live/EHJ0oPRZTN8

Episode Description -In this special episode I interview the Director and Coordinator for Robofest at LTU. Christopher and Shannan provide not only the history of the program, which started in 1999, but how this year the festivities and competition will be back in person after the pandemic has subsided. Robofest's season has just started, and it is not too late to get this information out to our teams, friends and family members to see if there are students from 4th through 12th grades that would like an additional challenge! There will be students and teams form aroudn the world competing at Robofest this season and in person!Interview Panel:Christopher Cartwright - Director of RobofestShannan Palonis - Coordinator of RobofestLinks mentioned in the recording: Robofest Website: https://www.robofest.net/Robofest E-Mail: robofest@ltu.eduAudio link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/13110964/robozone-podcast-episode-181-robofest-atVideo Link: https://youtu.be/cTfKI095qjc