NYCFIRST Update #4: The Game is ON – Come to our kickoff on Saturday

NYCFIRST Update #4: The Game is ON – Come to our kickoff on Saturday

Sept. 14, 2008

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.

ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/

Click on the links in the sidebar if you want to read back issues of these updates. ( I won't reveal how they end.)

Welcome back to a new school year. I hope all is going well so far. Put a little robotics in your and your kids' lives.

Have any issues about ordering, registering, organizing, the meaning of life?
Will the FLL season be interrupted by a black hole swallowing the earth?
Don't hesitate to call or email. But do so before the Hadron cyclotron creates any black holes – don't worry, they planted Kudzu to swallow any black holes that might pop up.

Make sure to attend the NYCFIRST Kickoff this Saturday (details below) where the missions will be explained and you can ask questions. If there is one event you attend, this one is it – and you can bring kids. You DO NOT have to bring any LEGO's, robots or field set-up kits.


Training - Save the Dates
Free Training by Vision Education at Polytehnic U Oct. 11, 18, 25 (if necessary)
Nov. 4 at Aviation HS (See Mike K's report below.)


List of registered teams (165) as of Sept. 14
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html
(also check list below)

Please send me an update on lead coach (es) names, school listing, etc.


Climate Connections Released on Sept. 5 for FLL and JFLL

http://firstlegoleague.org/community/HomePage.aspx
Links are also on the sidebar of my blog.

Mission videos can be downloaded or viewed directly.


Registration
You can still register, go to http://register4fll.com/.

If you registered and your team number does not appear on my list that means you did not complete the process – I only get to see teams that go through checkout. So go back and finish and also update your team profile.

Even if you don't pay, complete the registration. Order what you need and put down you are paying by PO (write TBD when asked for a number) or by check. This will reserve things for you until you pay - you have until mid-October before your team is flushed from the system, but the earlier you do so the quicker you get your stuff.

Not sure if you are listed as paid? Let me know and I'll check.
Or look down the sidebar on my blog for your team number.
(This list is not totally updated).


Registration may close early - From FIRST
With just under 1,000 slots available, FLL Climate Connections is shaping up to be the biggest season yet! Team registration is set to close when all team slots are filled at 4:00 PM (EDT) on September 30, 2008, whichever comes first. Additionally, FLL Materials (Robot Set and Field Setup Kit) must be ordered by this deadline, but are also subject to product availability.

*Keep your Team Profile Updated!*
To ensure receipt of important FLL communications, please remember to review and update your team profile prior to October 15, 2008.
Go to http://www.register4fll.com. In the "/Team Login/" fields, enter your Team ID (team number) and password. When your profile is complete, be sure to click the "/Continue/" button at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions.

If you haven't registered already, we hope you hop online (http://register4fll.com) soon and join us for the 2008 Climate Connections season! Available slots are filling in quickly.



NYCFIRST Lego League Kickoff - Sat. Sept. 20
Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Brooklyn, NY
(Don't get confused – this is not at NYU in Manhattan as the 2 schools have merged)

Open to all Kids/teams welcome. Bring a camera or video

Saturday September 20, 2008
9:00 AM-1:15 PM
Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Brooklyn, NY

Flyer posted at http://www.nycnjfirst.org
Flyer and map also on the blog.at http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

Agenda

9:00-9:30 AM: Welcome and Introductions
(Pfizer Auditorium)

9:30-10:00 AM: Research Assignment Presentation
(Pfizer Auditorium)
Mark Scharfeshteyn does his usual magic.

10:00-10:45 AM: JFLL Overview - Keith Wynne, Coach PS 58 K
NYC FLL structure for í08 season
Q&A - where you get to throw things (questions only please) at us.
(Pfizer Auditorium) –

11:00-12:00 PM: Tips and tricks from veteran coaches for new coaches (vets invited too) (Jacobs Academic Building [JAB] - Room 475)

Featuring:

Eric Greene, Coach IS 192Q
Organizing a team

Maureen Reilly, coach at Packer Collegiate Institute
Will talk about resources online for building ideas for the kids and organizing lessons - the flow of the season, 'Now that I have the team what do I do?"

Veryl Greene, retired middle school coach, currently robotics Specialist Manhattan OIT, with an overview of the kit & the NXT software

Suman Sabastin, Girl Scouts robotics advisor
Team management and scheduling


11:00-12:00 PM: Game Overview (Veteran Teams)
(Rogers Hall [RH] - Room 116)
Led by Richard Wong and his merry men and women.

12:15-1:15 PM: Game Overview (Rookie Teams)
(Rogers Hall [RH] - Room 116)
By popular demand, an encore performance by Richard Wong and his merry men and women.


Directions: http://www.poly.edu/directions/

Parking: You can find a spot in the street if you get there early and are willing to walk a bit. South of Atlantic Ave is easier. There is a garage at the Marriott across the street.


Bronx Kickoff
Thanks to Evan Weinberg, Bernie Dicristofalo for running the Bronx kickoff this past Saturday. I posted their agenda here:
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-lego-league-robotics-bronx-kick.html


Request for coach at Packer (Brooklyn)

We are looking for a Robotics teacher to work with two high school mentors and me after school at Packer in Brooklyn Heights on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
This would be either for our FLL program or to work with beginner roboticists.
Do you know anyone who may be interested?
The pay is competitive and the after school program is also looking for a computer gaming (learning to program games) teacher and a stop-motion animation teacher.

Any leads are helpful.

Thanks,
Maureen Reilly

Contact me if interested and I'll put you in touch with Maureen.


Trevor Day School looking to donate extras
I have several RCX bricks and Lego robotics kits that we'd like to donate to any FLL participating public school needing equipment.

I have several RCX bricks and Lego robotics kits that we'd like to donate to any FLL participating public school needing equipment. Do you know the best way for me to find an interested party?

Steve Schechter

Contact me if interested and I'll put you in touch with Steve.


Election Day (Nov. 4) Training at Aviation HS from Mike Koumoulos
For Queens schools, but also open to other boroughs by request.

The schedule for the November 4, Election Day, training has been updated. Over the next week or two, I will send out hard copies to you and your schools (Queens). I want to wait to get as many teams registered as possible before mailing them out, but you guys can print them now.


http://groups.google.com/group/fllqueens/web/election-day-prof-dev-schedule?hl=en
- or copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.


Registration in NYC as of Sept. 14: 165 teams

See complete list at end of this Update and at
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html

Bronx: 32
Brooklyn: 58
Manhattan: 27
Queens: 19
Staten Island: 29


Team # Institution Lead Coach(es) (Please send me updated info)

Bronx (32)
0015 PS 195X Zelma Torres-Rosado
0064 PS 195X Zelma Torres-Rosado
0109 PS/IS 123 X Chris Gooding
0210 CS 66 X Christopher Blades
0523 PS/MS 194 Cynthia Khadaran
0584 Pablo Casals MS 181x Terry Buchalter
0853 PS 121 X Kathy Bormann
0895 Bronx Latin MS Eddie Branchaud
0901 MS 101X Maritime Academy Michele Sikoryak
1172 MS 302 X Sharon Shoatz
1502 CS 102X Neysa Lewis$
1636 ESMT IS 190 X Maribeth Whitehouse
1739 Kezner Academy @IS 192 X Nicole Havel
1741 Academy of Public Relations @298 Amy Andino
1943 PS 107x Adel Assal
2266 PS 76X The Bennington School Russell Heath
2544 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael Joyce
2545 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael Joyce
2656 IS 98 X Herman Ridder Harold Smith
3236 JHS 127 X Joshua Mateo
3494 The Urban Institute of Mathematics Ryan McCabe
3553 PS 106 x Philip Hamlin
3667 MS 118 X Ralph Corvino
4345 Phipps@PS 112 After school program Matthew Miller
5413 Urban Assembly Academy of Civic EngagementX366 James Love
5729 High School of World Cultures Kathy Luke
5909 PS 103 x Jarret Jackob
5910 PS 103 x Jarret Jackob
6182 Archimedes Academy for Math, Science & Technology Justin Duffy
6184 Archimedes Academy for Math, Science & Technology Justin Duffy
6368 PS 153 x Ms. Pelzar
6388 MS 144 xMichaelangelo MS Victoria Lowe


Brooklyn (58)
0490 St. Edmund Elementary School Christine Zaremba
0639 Automotive HS Bruce Rajswasser
1462 PS 372 K Rita Fasano
1463 PS 372 K Rita Fasano
1774 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly
1775 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly
1824 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Stacy Solomon
1825 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Cynthia McGinty
1827 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Carol Geier
1925 IS 318 Russ Holstein
1926 IS 318 Russ Holstein
1958 MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Jeffrey Stephens-Prince
1978 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith Wynne
1979 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith Wynne
1980 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith Wynne
2019 PS 257k Javier Reyes
2101 PS 133 William Butler Elementary Judith Hudson
2262 PS 8 K Brandeis Hayes/Tracey Pozluszny
2263 PS 8 K Brandeis Hayes/Tracey Pozluszny
2393 PS 11K Rasheda Lyons
2490 Sunset Park Prep MS 821K Franky Gutierrez
2616 Brooklyn Tech HS Gordon Williams
2707 PS 21K Crispus Attucks School Carla Arnold
3006 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3008 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3009 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3010 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3011 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3013 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3014 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3015 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3016 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3017 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3076 Benjamin Banneker Academy K Imani Fischer
3077 IS 383 K Philippa Schuyler MS Lindrick Outerbridge
3161 Bedford Academy Cluny Lavache
3447 PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix
3473 Arthur S. Somers Middle School Clair Vassell-Williams
3474 Arthur S. Somers Middle School Clair Vassell-Williams
3475 Arthur S. Somers Middle School Clair Vassell-Williams
3476 Arthur S. Somers Middle School Clair Vassell-Williams
3563 PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix
3575 PS 233K Langston Hughes Dawne Jokinsky
3738 PS 261K Jennifer Lindauer-Thompson
3951 PS 399 K Stanley Eugene Clarke Sharon Holiday
3958 MS 267K Owen Daniel
3991 MS 88 K Andy Singh,
3992 MS 88 K Andy Singh,
3993 MS 88 K Andy Singh,
3994 MS 88 K Andy Singh,
4298 KECSS - IS 468 @ Lafayette HS Jessica Gould
4429 PS 81 K Everbell Bishop/Diane Moore
4485 UFT Charter Jamie Parganos
5441 MS 50 Williamsburg Middle School Reginald Wilborn/Leonora Kumagai
5447 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly
5449 MS 447 K The Math & Science Exploratory School Sidney Izakson
5511 UFT Charter Jamie Parganos
5762 MS 51K James Hoffman


Manhattan (27)
0363 (No School ID) Tom Hershner
0425 Columbia Secondary School Andrew Stillman
0984 MS 44 William O Shea Complex Elvetta Harris
1355 PS 189M Theresa Luger
1730 Trevor Day School Steven Schechter
1896 Friend Seminary Timothy Cooper
1905 Manhattan School for Children Andre Martell
1907 Manhattan School for Children Tatiana Hoover
1910 MS 328 M Beth Pollak
2133 MS 324 Patria Mirabal Benjamin Leviago
3057 PS/MS 108 Angelo Del Toro Alicia Sotiropoulos
3574 MS 319M Markus Baloun
3875 Manhattan Youth @IS 289 M Stephen Husiak
4452 Vision Education & Media Laura Allen/Corbett Beder
5224 NY Presbeterian Church Myraslava Znayenko
5477 Union Settlement Association Michelle Rivera
5496 The Brearley School Annie Cheung-Livhits/Luigi Cicala
5557 Manhattan Country School Christabel Pinto
5624 The Anderson School PS 334M Diane Kirksey-Floyd
5641 PS 51 M Marilyn Buehler
5797 PS 11 M Melinda Marx – parent Nick Fier
6328 PS/MS 278 Lisa Sausner
6425 Frederick Douglass Academy Danielle Nunez
6426 Frederick Douglass Academy Danielle Nunez
6528 PS 123M Mahalia Jackson Scholars Academy John William King, Jr.
6812 East Harlem Tutorial Danny Peralta
6901 HCCI Computer Clubhouse Fred Riedel/Jeremy Silver


Queens (19)
0232 MS 67Q Ruta Dave
0260 Brics-2-Bots Veryl Greene
0275 Cambria Center Sheryl Liles
0778 MS 216Q George Ryan Peter Xanthus
0997 Forest Hills Team Iffat Mai
1215 P.S. 139Q Yvonne Shortt
1315 IS 230 Q Sonya Rencher
1720D nycfirst Dummy Norm Scott
1836 IS 119 Q Chris Dudin
2491 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene
2492 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene
2723 IS 125 Q Rudy Vera
2994 Baccalaureate School For Global Education Melissa Hinson
4764 Resurrection Ascension Janna Valente
5945 PS 85Q Bob Deming
6144 Edward Bleeker JHS 185 Primal Dhillon$
6145 Edward Bleeker JHS 185 Primal Dhillon$
6805 IS 10 Q Horace Greeley IS Pat Shubitz
7019 PS 112Q Alice Gruenberg

Staten Island (29)
0199 IS 24 SI Raymond Cottrell/Jane Frangos
0202 IS 24 SI Raymond Cottrell/Jane Frangos
0206 IS 24 SI Raymond Cottrell/Jane Frangos
0208 IS 24 SI Raymond Cottrell/Jane Frangos
1335 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen
1336 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen
1337 IS 27 SI Prall Bryan Kilgallen
1341 Coen Patrick Coen
1667 IS 34 SI Joseph Buro/Ann Verderber
1673 IS 34 SI Joseph Buro
1674 IS 34 SI Joseph Buro
1782 St. Clare School Mary Lee
1783 St. Clare School Mary Lee
1784 St. Clare School Mary Lee
1785 St. Clare School Mary Lee
1954 IS 75 SI Donny Swanson
1955 IS 75 SI Donny Swanson
1956 IS 75 SI Donny Swanson
2179 IS 72 SI Randi Huss
2180 IS 72 SI Randi Huss
2181 IS 72 SI Randi Huss
2380 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal
2386 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal
2708 PS 57 SI Patricia Lockhart
5119 IS 49 SI Carol Obler/Francesco Portelos
5120 IS 49 SI Carol Obler/Francesco Portelos
5121 IS 49 SI Carol Obler/Francesco Portelos
5721 NYC Parks & Recreation Lisa Brooks
6443 Petrides School Carlos Rodriguez


Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734

--
Have a good day

Norm

NYCFIRST Update #3: A few Weeks Left to Register

NYCFIRST Update #3: A few Weeks Left to Register

Aug. 27, 2008

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.

If you have any issues about ordering, registering, organizing, the meaning of life - don't hesitate to call or email.


To register, go to http://register4fll.com/.


ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

List of registered teams:
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html

Please check your names and send me updated info.
I did not include payment info this time. If you want me to check your status send me an email.

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/


Climate Connections Field Set up is shipping –

Embark on an exploration of the earth's climate in the FIRST LEGO League's 2008 Climate Connections Challenge! Discover the links between science, people, resources and communities. Unearth how we learn about past climates and delve into questions surrounding our current and future climatic conditions. Join FIRST LEGO League teams in creating a global game plan as they make these Climate Connections!

Whether the climate be cold, or whether the climate be hot
The climate is different all over
What is it like in your spot?
In Climate Connections
Solutions and questions - of many dimensions
Wait for FLL teams and robots!

I already got mine and am sorting and building away.

The full Climate Connections Challenge will be released on September 5, 2008!


Learn more about FLL here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fll/default.aspx?id=390


Registration in NYC as of Aug. 26
120 teams and counting.

See complete list at end of this Update.

If you think you registered but are not on the list, you probably did not compete the entire process.
Go through checkout even if you are not paying now.
For payment, choose either "pay by check" or "PO". Write TBD where it asks for a number.

WARNING: Inside word is there may be a shortage of Field Set-Up Kits. Registration will close when they are all gone.

Payment: Check, credit card, or PO (can cause delays.)

You can register and pay later but nothing will be shipped until you do.


If you cannot find the info contact LEGO's Bob Woods:
BOB WOODS
LEGO EDUCATION
516-867-9508
bobwlego@aol.com
www.LegoEducation.COM
rwoods@legoeducation.com

Costs
Registration: $200
FSK: $65 – you MUST check this box. Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.
Shipping: varies

You can also order one robotic kit and accessories when you register.

I was asked this question:
I noticed the Lego robot kit you can order as part of FLL registration is $365, which is a lot more than the basic kits you can order on the lego website. Do know if the FLL kits are something special, or is it just a price that includes software plus extra $$$ for FIRST? Either way, $365 is way high--base kit on Lego ed site is only $260 and has the same electrical inventory.

I received this response:
The FLL Robot Set is made up of two major parts, the MINDSTORMS for Schools (http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1263&c=0&t=0&l=0) which is $260, and the Technology Resource Set, as well as extra parts commonly used in FLL that can be purchased separately. Regular price for the FLL Robot Set is more than $600, so the FLL price is a huge discount and nothing extra is included for FIRST. They are bundled together so that teams receive everything they need "out of the box" at the start of the season to build attachments and participate in FLL. Teams can certainly purchase these separate elements and participate in FLL, but they would spend more if they chose to duplicate all the parts of the set.


Important dates

Climate Connections Challenge will be released on September 5, 2008

Bronx FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 13th (PS. 194)

Polytech FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 20th

FLL Trainings - October 11th, 18th, 25th (TENTATIVE)



List of Registered teams- Total 120
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html

Brooklyn: 48
Manhattan: 14
Queens: 13
Bronx: 21
Staten Island: 24


Team # InstitutionName Coach Zip

Bronx
1215 P.S. 139Q Yvonne Shortt 11374
1720D nycfirst Dummy Norm Scott
0109 PS/IS 123 X Chris GoodingKelleyann Royce 10472
0210 CS 66 X Christopher Blades/James Bellon 10460
0523 PS/MS 194 Cynthia Khadaran 10462
0584 Pablo Casals MS 181x Terry Buchalter/Constantine Kouvatsos 10475
0853 PS 121 X Kathy Bormann/Maria Scher 10469
0895 Bronx Latin MS Eddie Branchaud 10456
0901 MS 101X Maritime Academy Michele Sikoryak/Punit Gandhi 10465
1172 MS 302 X Sharon Shoatz 10455
1502$ CS 102X Neysa Lewis$/Frank RiveraTanyua TrezevantteOsei Owusu-Afriyie 10460
1636 ESMT IS 190 X Maribeth Whitehouse 10460
1739 Kezner Academy @IS 192 X Nicole Havel$ Donna Kinford 10465
1741$ Academy of Public Relations @298 Amy Andino 10456
1943 PS 107x Adel Assal 10473
2266 PS 76X The Bennington School Russell Heath 10469
2544 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael JoycePaul RiterPaul CassidyBarbara Hartnett 10467
2545 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael JoycePaul RiterPaul CassidyBarbara Hartnett 10467
2656 IS 98 X Herman Ridder Harold Smith 10460
3494 The Urban Institute of Mathematics Ryan McCabe 10465
3553 PS 106 x Philip Hamlin 10462
3667 MS 118 X Ralph Corvino 10457
4345$ Phipps@PS 112 After school program Matthew Miller 10466

Brooklyn
0490 St. Edmund Elementary School Christine Zaremba 11229
0639 Automotive HS Bruce RajswasserDan Luna, Michael Danza 11222
1462 PS 372 K Rita FasanoVicki HollandHaiva Albuliwi 11215
1463 PS 372 K Rita FasanoVicki HollandHaiva Albuliwi 11215
1774 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly 11201
1775 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly 11201
1824 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Stacy Solomon
1825 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Cynthia McGinty
1827 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Carol Geier
1925 IS 318 Russ HolsteinEric Windley 11234
1926 IS 318 Russ HolsteinEric Windley 11234
1958 MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Jeffrey Stephens-Prince 11217
1978 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
1979 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
1980 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
2019 PS 257k Javier ReyesEdwin HernandezEva Spelbrink 11206
2101$ PS 133 William Butler Elementary Judith Hudson 11217
2262 PS 8 K Brandeis HayesTracey Pozluszny 11201
2263 PS 8 K Brandeis HayesTracey Pozluszny 11201
2393 PS 11K Rasheda LyonsVlad Kop 11238
2490 Sunset Park Prep MS 821K Franky GutierrezMichael Barry 11232
2616 Brooklyn Tech HS Gordon Williams 11217
2707 PS 21K Crispus Attucks School Carla Arnold 11233
3006 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3008 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3009 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3010 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3011 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3013 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3014 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3015 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3016 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3017 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3076 Benjamin Banneker Academy K Imani Fischer 11205
3077 IS 383 KPhilippa Schuyler MS Lindrick OuterbridgeWilliam Hamlet 11237
3161 Bedford Academy Cluny Lavache 11216
3447$ PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix 11206
3563$ PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix 11206
3575$ PS 233K Langston Hughes Dawne Jokinsky 11236
3738 PS 261K Jennifer Lindauer-ThompsonChris PeyserScott Howard 11201
3951$ PS 399 K Sharon Holiday 11226
3951$ Stanley Eugene Clarke PS 399 K Sharon Holiday 11226
3958 MS 267K Owen Daniel 11221
3991$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3992$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3993$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3994$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
4429$ PS 81 K Everbell BishopDiane Moore 11221

Manhattan
0363$ Tom Hershner
0425$ Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and EngineeringThe School At Columbia U Andrew Stillman 10027
0984 MS 44 William O Shea Complex Elvetta Harris 10024
1355$ PS 189M Theresa Luger 10040
1730 Trevor Day School Steven Schechter 10128
1896$ Friend Seminary Timothy Cooper 10003
1905$ Manhattan School for Children Andre Martell$ 10025
1907 Manhattan School for Children Tatiana Hoover 10025
1910$ MS 328 M Beth Pollak 10032
2133$ MS 324 Patria Mirabal Benjamin Leviago 10032
3574 MS 319M Markus Baloun 10032
3875$ Manhattan Youth @IS 289 M Stephen HusiakTheseus Roche 10007
4452$ Vision Education & Media Laura Allen/Corbett Beder 10010
5224$ NY Presbeterian Church Myraslava Znayenko 10027

Queens
0232 MS 67Q Ruta Dave 11362
0260 Brics-2-Bots Veryl Greene 11432
0275 Cambria Center Sheryl LilesSheree Palmer 11411
0778 MS 216Q George Ryan Peter Xanthus 11365
0997$ Forest Hills Team Iffat Mai 11375
1315 IS 230 Q Sonya RencherCraig Grelarowski 11372
1836 IS 119 Q Chris DudinJoan Weber 11385
2491 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene 11412
2492 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene 11412
2994 Baccalaureate School For Global Education Melissa Hinson 11106
4764 Resurrection Ascension Janna Valente 11374

Staten Island
0199 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0202 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0206 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0208 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
1335 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1336 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1337 IS 27 SI Prall Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1341 Coen Patrick Coen 10310
1667 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1673 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1674 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1782 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1783 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1784 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1785 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1954 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
1955 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
1956 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
2179 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2180 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2181 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2380 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal 10306
2386 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal 10306
2708 PS 57 SI Patricia Lockhart 10304

Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734

--
Have a good day

Norm

NYCFIRST Update #2: Climate Connections 8/1/08

NYCFIRST Update #2: Climate Connections

Aug. 1, 2008

I hope all are enjoying the summer.

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.


ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/


NOTE: There are some problems with the blog and I cannot add new content at this point and might have to move it to a new site. However, at this time the blog can still be accessed. Look for important info on the sidebar.

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/

Learn more about FLL here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fll/default.aspx?id=390

Climate Connections
The new game, Climate Connections, has been released and can be found here: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=70.

Building a Global Game Plan

Whether the climate be cold, or whether the climate be hot
The climate is different all over
What is it like in your spot?
In Climate Connections
Solutions and questions - of many dimensions
Wait for FLL teams and robots!

As of July 24, 2008, there are 3,225 registered teams in the U.S. and Canada.



Registration in NYC
91 teams and counting.

See complete list at end of this Update.

If you think you registered but are not on the list, you probably did not compete the entire process.
Go through checkout even if you are not paying now.
For payment, choose either "pay by check" or "PO". Write TBD where it asks for a number.

WARNING: Inside word is there may be a shortage of Field Set-Up Kits
FIRST reports they are running 20% ahead of last year and may have to close registration early.

Costs
Registration: $200
FSK: $65 – again, you MUST check this box. Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.
Shipping: varies

You can also order one robotic kit and accessories when you register.

Payment: Check, credit card, or PO (can cause delays.)

You can register and pay later but nothing will be shipped until you do.

DId you pay? when you check the list at the end of the email,look for a Y or N.
Sorry, columns do not line up.

For NYC schools, contract is in flux

The team ordering info for FLL teams through NYC DOE that I sent you in June has now been removed from the FAMIS-E catalog.

Veryl Greene found out why:

"I talked to Bob Woods and this is what happened...

The DOE removed the payments for registration & field kits from FAMIS-E for the FLL, because they said the price went up & they don't want to pay it. However, the NXT kit can still be ordered through FAMIS-E. Schools will have to pay for registration & field kits through some other means."

As for the FTC (which they will also think is too expensive) schools have to come up with their own funds & pay directly to FIRST (FTC).

Here is what it was before:

Item #: 800055470
Description: FLL team registration 2008 - #990305 Cost: $216.00

Item #: 800055489
Description: FLL 2008 Field Set Up Kit - #991217 Cost: 72.00

Item #: 800055497 FLL Robot Set 2008 - #979792 Cost: 394.20 (includes software)
If the DOE changes this info AGAIN, folks should contact:

If you cannot find the info contact LEGO's Bob Woods:
BOB WOODS
LEGO EDUCATION
516-867-9508
bobwlego@aol.com
www.LegoEducation.COM
rwoods@legoeducation.com


Important dates

Kickoffs to review the Climate Connections

Bronx FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 13th (PS. 194)

Polytech FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 20th

TENTATIVE - FLL Trainings - October 11th, 18th, 25th (TENTATIVE)


Practice tournaments
We are working on a series of practice tournaments in all boroughs from late October through early December.
Tentative locations: Wagner College (SI), Packard (K), PS 194 (Bx), Polytechnic (K).

We are looking for people to host paractice events in Queens and Manhattan either after school or on a weekend.
Also, if you are in one of the other boroughs and want to host a practice, contact me. The event can be small.

Borough Qualifiers

Staten Island, Sat. 12/13

Bronx, Sat.12/20

Bklyn, Sat. 12/20 (tentative)

Manhattan, Sat. Jan 11th @ CCNY

Queens, Sat. Jan 10th or Sun. 11th (Tentative)

NYC FIRST LEGO League Citywide Championship

Sat, Jan 31, 2009 - Riverbank State Park


An exhibition at the Javits Convention center early in March

Job Opportunity
I'm moving out of NY (to Tacoma, WA) this summer. For the past year I have been teaching LEGO Robotics at an organization called Hofstra STEP. I am trying to help them find a replacement for me. They are a great organization with excellent resources, rooms, technology, and staff. The pay is at least $40 an hour - negotiable upwards for experienced instructors.

If you know anybody out this way (Queens/Long Island) who may be interested, please have them contact me at 347 217-3503 or via e-mail (ianchowmiller@gmail.com).

Thanks,
Ian


Social Note from Stephen Shapinsky
former robotics guru in Region 4, now residing in Las Vegas and coaching a 4th grade FLL team.

Dear Friends,
We wanted to share the news with you:
Our daughter, Ingrid Sofia Shapinsky, joined us on planet Earth this week.

Here are photos: http://tinyurl.com/6774lt

Stephen, Kirsten, and Ingrid


List of Registered teams- Total 91
List posted at
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pgxRf3gM4qtwhBLl7lwdSaA

Brooklyn: 26
Manhattan: 10
Queens: 10
Bronx: 18
Staten Island: 24
(I know the numbers don't add up- 1 team is mine and 2 others did not enter enough info)
New schools/Org: 14

DId you pay? Look for a Y or N in the next to last column.
Sorry, columns do not line up.

Team # InstitutionName CoachFirstName CoachLastName paid Borough
109 IS 123 James M. Kieran Middle School Virginia Connelly Y Bx
199 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
202 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
206 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
208 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
210 CS 66 Chris Blades Y Bx
232 Louis Pasteur Middle school Ruta Dave Y Q
260 Brics~2~Bots - Private team Veryl Greene Y Q
275 Cambria Center for the Gifted Child sheryl liles Y Q
363 Tom Hershner Y Unknown
425 Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering Andrew Stillman Y M
490 St. Edmund Elementary School christine zaremba Y K
523 PS/MS 194 Cynthia Khadaran Y Bx
584 Pablo Casals MS181 Terry Buchalter Y Bx
639 Automotive Robotics Bruce Rajswasser Y K
778 George J Ryan MS 216 Peter Xanthus N Q
853 P.S. 121 X Katherine Bormann N Bx
895 Bronx Latin Middle School Edward Branchaud N Bx
901 MS 101 X Michele Sikoryak Y Bx
984 MS 44-William J. O'Shea Complex Elvetta Harris Y M
997 Forest Hills Team Iffat Mai Y Q
1172 MS302X Sharon Shoatz Y Bx
1215 P.S. 139Q Yvonne Shortt Y Q
1315 Intermediate School 230 Sonya Rencher N Q
1335 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1336 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1337 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1341 Coen (home) Patrick Coen Y SI
1355 PS 189M THERESA LUGER N M
1462 PS 372 Victoria Holland Y K
1463 PS 372 Victoria Holland Y K
1502 CS 102 X Neysa Lewis Y Bx
1667 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1673 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1674 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1720 Norm NYCFIRST N NYC FIRST
1730 Trevor Day School Steven Schechter Y M
1739 kezner academy @IS 192 Nicole Havel Y Bx
1774 Packer Collegiate Institute Maureen Reilly Y K
1775 Packer Collegiate Institute Maureen Reilly Y K
1782 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1783 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1784 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1785 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1824 P.S. 193 The Gil Hodges School Stacy Solomon Y K
1826 P.S.193 The Gil Hodges School Cynthia McGinty Y K
1827 P.S.193-The Gil Hodges School Carol Geier Y K
1836 Glendale Intermediate School 119Q Christopher Dudin N Q
1905 Manhattan School for Children Andre Martell Y M
1907 Manhattan School for Children Tatiana Hoover Y M
1910 Middle School 328 Beth Pollak N M
1925 Eugenio Maria DeHostos I.S. 318 Russ Holstein N K
1926 Eugenio Maria DeHostos I.S. 318 Russ Holstein N K
1943 Public School 107X Adel Assal N Bx
1954 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1955 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1956 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1958 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Jeffrey Stephens-Prince N K
1978 P.S. 58 The Carroll School Keith Wynne N K
1979 P.S. 58 The Carroll School keith Wynne N K
1980 P.S. 58 The Carroll School keith Wynne N K
2019 PS 257 Melvin Martinez N K
2101 William Butler Elementary PS 133K Judith Hudson N K
2133 MS 324 Patria Mirabal Benjamin Leviago N M
2179 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2180 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2181 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2262 PS 8 Brandie Hayes Y K
2263 PS 8 Brandie Hayes Y K
2266 PS 76 The Bennington School russell heath N Bx
2380 Staten Island Technical H.S. Michael Siegel N SI
2386 Staten Island Technical H.S. Michael Siegel N SI
2393 PS 11 Purvis J Behan School Rasheda Lyons N K
2490 Sunset Park Prep Franky Gutierrez N K
2491 Renaisance Middle School Eric Greene N Q
2492 Renaissance Middle School Eric Greene N Q
2544 GLOBE School for Environmental Research Paul Riter Y Bx
2545 GLOBE School for Environmental Research Paul Riter Y Bx
2616 Brooklyn Technical High School Gordon Williams Y K
2656 Herman Ridder Intermediate School 98 Harold Smith Y Bx
2707 Crispus Attucks School carla arnold Y K
2708 PS 57 Patricia Lockhart Y SI
2994 BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL Melissa Hinson N Q
3006 Unkown Greg Dublin N Unknown
3077 I.S. 383K Lindrick Outerbridge Y K
3161 Bedford Academy High School George Leonard N K
3494 The Urban Institute of Mathematics Ryan McCabe Y Bx
3553 PS 106 Bx Phil Hamlin Y Bx
3574 MS 319 M Markus Baloun N M
3667 MS 118 Bx ralph corvino N Bx
3738 PS 261 Marci Rosa N K


Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734



--
Have a good day

Norm

NYCFIRST Update 1: It's a New Game

NYCFIRST Update 1: It's a New Game

May 30, 2008

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.

ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/

Welcome to the new season: Climate Connections

Important Dates:
Registration opened May 1
(MAKE SURE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ITEM – DO NOT REGISTER WITHOUT ADDING THE FSK.) Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.


WARNING: Inside word is there may be a shortage of Field Set-Up Kits
Registering and paying before the school year will assure you of having your kit sent to you at the end of August or early September. Only 7500 kits are available. I just tried registering and my team number is already 1720. Already, 30 teams in NYC have registered.

Costs:
Registration: $200
FSK: $65 – again, you MUST check this box. Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.
Shipping: varies

You can also order one robotic kit and accessories when you register.

Payment: Check, credit card, or PO (can cause delays.)

You can register and pay later but nothing will be shipped until you do.

For NYC schools, I am not sure of where the contracts stand.

Here is the info from last year:
LEGO contract number for software has been changed to 2Z17701
Vendor number is LEG0 55 please make sure to use the number 0 when typing in LEG0

If you cannot find the info contact LEGO's Bob Woods:
BOB WOODS
LEGO EDUCATION
516-867-9508
bobwlego@aol.com
www.LegoEducation.COM
rwoods@legoeducation.com


Learn more about FLL here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fll/default.aspx?id=390


NYCFIRST Planning Committee
We held out first meeting this past week and a couple of important decisions were made. I'll get into the details and reasons at another time.

I know I promised we would try to extend the time frame but we will not be able to this year so expect the same rough schedule as last year:

Riverbank citywide tournament: Jan. 31, 2009
Rationale: We preferred a later date but the only other date available was the last weekend of March. As to doing it at the FRC tournament at Javits (March 8), the hall is too small to do a full tournament there, but we will do an exhibition like last year.

Qualifying tournaments will take place in December – as late in the month as possible to give you more time and possibly one or two in early January. Target dates: Weekends of Dec. 13, 20 and Jan 10.

Kickoffs to review the Climate Connections robot performance will take place:
Sept. 13 in the Bronx
Sept. 20 or 27 in Brooklyn at Polytechnic U

Free training will be offered on a few Saturdays in October most likely at Polytechnic or NYU. We are not sure who is doing the training but we may ask some of our experienced coaches to help out.

Election Day training at Aviation HS: free and open
Mike Koumoulos will be handling it and he will allow your robots to vote in the election at a special robotic voting booth. No hanging chads, please.


The robotics PENTATHLON at Aviation HS is this Saturday, May 31
Come and check it out.

Also check out the events at: http://koumoullos.com/pentathlon/

Saturday, May 31, 2008
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Aviation High School

45-30 36th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
Between Queens Blvd. and 47th Ave.
Enter on 35th Street into the cafeteria

Pentathlon Team Registration List:
1. IS 230 - No Name - Sonya Rencher - D30
2. IS 383 - The Skybots - Lindrick Outerbridge - D32
3. IS 192 - Robo Fusion I - Eric Greene - D29
4. IS 192 - Robo Fusion II - Eric Greene - D29
5. Bric~2~Bots - Cyberbots - Veryl Greene - D28
6. Cambria Center - Warbots - Sheryl Lyles - Private Organization
7. IS 227 - LAMChops I - Richard Akalski, David Mabrey - D30
8. IS 227 - LAMChops II - Richard Akalski, David Mabrey - D30
9. PS 226 - No Name - Nancy Azcona - D21

Mike Koumoullos
mrkoumoullos@yahoo.com


Trip to Japan for FIRST Asian FLL Tournament
Tokyo is a wonderful city to visit and the tournament allowed us to visit with the worldwide FLL community. I'm ready to go off to other events if invited.

There's so much to say about the experience. Thanks to my roomie, Gary Israel, who made his computer available, so I got to put up a few comments on my blog. But things were so hectic, I barely had time. I did love the comment from a parent in Mexico City asking me to check in with his son on the Mexican team. Thanks so much to Kamoshida-san and Ishihara-san FLL Japan/OAC for giving us the opportunity.

I wrote this piece of my local newspaper, The Wave.

Tokyo Notes
The conga line snakes around the arena. 450 kids from 24 countries on five continents. We are in Tokyo. The children are between nine and 17 years old and we are at the end of three days of competition at the Asian Open FIRST LEGO League tournament.
The kids are from Peru and Brazil; a bunch from the US, Canada and Mexico; five from China; teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea; many from Western Europe – France, Spain, Germany, Holland, all the Scandinavian countries; and Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia. We were disappointed to hear the two teams from Israel had to cancel at the last minute - we could have solved the Middle East in those three days.
I was asked to be one of four referees – the other three were Japanese college students, only one of whom spoke English. Yikes! I've never been a referee and didn't really know the game well enough, especially in such an intense competitive environment – sort of like being asked to umpire your first game in the World Series. But they needed an English speaker. I spent part of the 14 hour plane ride studying and then raced around on the practice day getting all the rules straight, relying a lot on
Tomo, the English speaking student, who ended up being my ref partner throughout the tournament – thank goodness – after I made sure to recruit some of the Europeans to join us. It turned out many of them were in my boat – helping organize and run tournaments but never having time to learn the intricacies of the game.
This year's theme was energy – the Power Puzzle – and teams also have to do research on solving the energy crisis and do a presentation in front of a panel of judges. So, things were a bit chaotic and on the first day, we didn't get out until 8 PM. Later that night a group of us gathered in the lobby going over the rules until 11 PM. I marveled at the fact that here are adults spending hours working on this stuff and taking it so very seriously to make sure it goes ok for the kids. But that is what working with FIRST robotics is all about.
The refereeing went pretty well, though there were kids from two Chinese teams pretty mad at Tomo and me for some of our rulings. One of the kids spent a half hour arguing with me and I told him he should be a lawyer. The next day all the kids came over to take pictures. Having this kind of contact with kids after so long an absence was the great benefit of the trip. It is the major thing I miss about teaching.
We had two contrasting NYC middle schools - one public school (Herman Ritter) from the South Bronx and the other a private school (Little Red School House) from Manhattan where the kids raised $1200 in bake sales to assist the Ritter kids in getting to Japan. Ritter returned the favor by taking Little Red to dinner in Tokyo, the idea of Bronx FLL organizer Gary Israel (my roomie) who has been instrumental in promoting the Ritter kids.
This trip turned into a unique opportunity to interact with a great variety of adults and children from all over the world. I was fortunate in having Marcio Noguchi as a traveling companion. Marcio, of Japanese descent but born and raised in Brazil, lived in Japan for nine years. He now works for Credit Suisse in New York, so he brings a perspective of three continents to the table. We spent a lot of time together walking miles around Tokyo, so I got some great insights, illuminated after a sampling of sake at one restaurant. Afterwards, we went looking – I was staggering – for ice cream and not finding a place, ended up at an all night McDonalds for shakes. It is a five story vertical place with stools at counters where some people spend many hours studying.
Marcio left his motorcycle in my driveway and some of my neighbors were concerned that I was going through some kind of phase.


Northside Looking for a Coach
(This is an old email so the position may have been filled)
From:
Judy Thoms, M.S.
Chief of Educational and Related Services
Northside Center for Child Development
1301 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10029
TEL (212) 426-3415 FAX (212) 410-7561

A few weeks ago I sent out an inquiry to see if anyone knew a mature high school student or a college student who would want to teach a robotics class at a non-profit in Manhattan. Below are further details and it is expected that the pay rate would be between $20-$30 per hour. Please have interested parties contact Northside Center directly.

We are interested in finding a computer teacher who could start our children out on some simple robotics.

We are now looking for someone to work afternoons Monday to Friday in our computer lab (3:30 to 6), starting right away, and also looking for someone to teach for 3 hours (morning or afternoon) in our summer camp, which runs from June 30 to August 22. We have a small lab of 15 computers, and our population is 6 to 12 year olds, some of whom have emotional and learning problems (Northside is a community mental health agency), and all of whom love working on computers. We are easily reached by train (#2 or 3 or 6) and bus, on the corner of Madison Ave and 110th St.

Please ask any interested computer people you know to get in touch with the coordinator of our After-school program, Daniel Marangiello dmarangiello@northsidecenter.org. Ask them to send a letter and resume, and he will get back to them. We also have a website, www.northsidecenter.org which might be of interest.
-Judy Thoms

If you want to be removed from this list type "unsubscribe" in the subject area and hit return.

Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734


--
Have a good day

Norm