Robotics program news & schedule

Greetings, everyone,

Here are the latest updates from the Robotics Program!

FLL Updates and Practice Schedule

We’ve held our first two open shop days, and it has been wonderful to see the students working together to build their robots and develop their Innovation Projects. Each team is approaching the challenge in its own way while learning how to collaborate effectively.

To clarify when teams should attend after-school practices, we are assigning each team a schedule beginning immediately:

Mondays (4-6)

• Dragon Fire
• Robot Masters
• Build a Bot
• Malfunctioning Bots
• Puppet Masters

Tuesdays (4-6)

• The Woodbury Dishdryers
• Robot Masters
• Diggabots

Wednesdays (4-6)

• Dragon Fire
• Cyber Bananas
• Robo Dragons

Thursdays (4-6)

• Astrobots
• Puppet Masters
• The Woodbury Dishdryers

Fridays (4-6)

• Robo Dragons
• Cyber Bananas
• Astrobots
• Malfunctioning Bots
• Build a Bot

Sundays (12-4)

• Diggabots

As we get closer to the competition, teams will have opportunities to register for additional or alternate practice times. We will also do our best to keep this information current on the Robotics Calendar.

FTC Update

Teams will continue meeting according to their predetermined schedules, which are available on the Robotics Calendar. Keep up the great work!

As a reminder, all four teams will meet on Monday, October 6, to share their progress on their starter robots.

FRC Update

Thank you to everyone who helped move equipment into the new building today. The FRC robot will be demonstrated at Saturday’s ribbon-cutting event, along with the Diggabots and two FTC teams!

Ribbon-Cutting Event

MSA’s Robotics Program will host demonstrations from 9:00–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, as part of MSA’s ribbon-cutting celebration. Please stop by to enjoy the event and see our teams in action!

Parent Coaching

We are nearly ready to welcome parent coaches into all our programs. Thank you to everyone who has already completed the form—we’ll be reaching out soon!

Robotics Website

We are working hard to keep the Robotics Program website as current as possible. Please bookmark it for the latest information and updates.

Thank you!

Ms. Katie Seif

Mr. Noah Langseth

Justin Gehring

Reminder: We will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:30 p.m. to explain this year's coaching and mentoring opportunities with FLL, FTC, and FRC. The meeting will take place via Zoom and will be recorded. The zoom link is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81020764834?pwd=F6Lxzzb2qx4RmPOgUztowPOFITFvsu.1

We have several updates and one important schedule change for next week.

FIRST LEGO League Schedule Change

FIRST LEGO League will not meet on Wednesday, September 23.

We originally planned to hold three full days of practice this week for all FLL teams. However, due to scheduling conflicts and observations from this week, we have decided to cancel the September 23 practice.

Teams will begin following their individual schedules during the week of Monday, September 28. Full details will be shared next week.

Parent Mentor and Coach Introduction Night

We will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:30 p.m. to explain this year's coaching and mentoring opportunities with FLL, FTC, and FRC. The meeting will take place via Zoom and will be recorded.

Any parent who would like to work in the shop with a team must, at minimum, complete an MSA background check. To get started, please visit:

Complete the MSA volunteer background check process

New Robotics Website

We are creating a one-stop resource where families can find shop hours, announcements, and copies of these messages. Visit the new website at:

robotics.mnmsa.org

FTC Kickoff for New Teams - Reminder

The kits for our new teams have arrived! We have scheduled an FTC kickoff meeting for all new teams on Monday, September 21, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Rooms 2310, 2320, and 2400.

All new FTC members should make every effort to attend. Updated team rosters will be provided at the meeting, and a few additional roster changes may be made. If you have not yet been placed on a team, please attend - we will find a team for you.

Teams will receive an assignment at the kickoff meeting and will have two weeks to complete it. We will regroup on Monday, October 5, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Parents, please note that teams may - and should - meet at least once, and possibly twice, during the available shop hours between September 21 and October 5.

FRC Updates

Thank you for helping our new FLL teams get started! Tuesday FRC meetings will continue as scheduled. Please refer to the calendar below.

Upcoming Robotics Calendar

• 9/19: Diggabots, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
• 9/20: Ouroboros, Cyber Machina, and Diggabots, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Please use the activities entrance.
• 9/21: FTC Kickoff Meeting for all new teams, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
• 9/22: FTC scheduled shop time and LEGO group meeting, 4:00-6:00 p.m.; FRC, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
• 9/23: FTC scheduled shop time, 4:00-6:00 p.m. No FLL meeting.
• 9/24: FTC scheduled shop time and LEGO group meeting, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
• 9/25-9/28: Shop closed. There is no school on 9/28.
• 9/29: Scheduled shop time, 4:00-6:00 p.m.; FRC, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
• 9/30-10/2: Scheduled shop time, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
• 10/3: Shop closed.
• 10/4: Scheduled shop time, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Please use the activities entrance.
• 10/5: FTC Regroup Meeting, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

These times are subject to change. Please check the robotics website for the latest information. This calendar represents our best estimate of when the shop will be available.

Each team will establish its own meeting schedule within the available shop hours and must register in advance. Registration information is coming soon.

We look forward to seeing you next week!

Mr. Noah Langseth
Justin Gehring
Ms. Katie Seif

Greetings, everyone!

We just wrapped up a great first day with our LEGO League teams! We have a few quick announcements and reminders. We apologize for the extra communication during these first few days, but we want to ensure that all new registrants receive the information they need.

Student Pick-Up from the Shop

When picking up your student, please use the back door—the student/activities entrance. This entrance is monitored after school, and the building remains secured for everyone’s safety. If your student needs to leave early, please email robotics@mnmsa.org or make arrangements with your student ahead of time. In an emergency, call 651-208-8797. Parents should not enter the building without a staff escort.

FLL Team Rosters and Practice Reminder

We are making a few last-minute adjustments to the FLL team rosters. Once everything is finalized, we will post the updated rosters.

As a reminder, all LEGO League teams will meet from 4:00–6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week and next week. After that, each team will follow its own schedule.

FTC Kickoff for New Teams — Reminder

The kits for our new teams will be arriving soon! We have scheduled an FTC kickoff meeting for all new teams on Monday, September 21, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. in Rooms 2310, 2320, and 2400.

All new FTC members should make every effort to attend. Updated team rosters will be provided at the meeting, and a few additional roster changes may be made. If you have not yet been placed on a team, please still attend; we will get you placed!

Teams will receive an assignment at the kickoff meeting and will have two weeks to complete it. We will then hold a second regroup meeting on Monday, October 5, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Parents, please note that teams may - and should -meet at least once, and possibly twice, during the available shop times between September 21 and October 5.

FRC Updates

Thank you for helping our new FLL teams get started today! Tuesday FRC meetings will continue as scheduled. Please see the calendar below.

Upcoming Robotics Calendar

• 9/16 — LEGO Group Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/17 — LEGO Group Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/18 — Ouroboros: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/19 — Shop closed
• 9/20 — Ouroboros, Cyber Machina, and Diggabots: 12:00–4:00 p.m. Please use the activities entrance.
• 9/21 — FTC Kickoff Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/22 — FTC Scheduled Shop Time and LEGO Group Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.; FRC: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/23 — FTC Scheduled Shop Time and LEGO Group Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/24 — FTC Scheduled Shop Time and LEGO Group Meeting (All Teams): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 9/25 — Shop closed
• 9/26 — Shop closed
• 9/27 — Shop closed
• 9/28 — No school; shop closed
• 9/29 — Scheduled Shop Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.; FRC: 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• 9/30 — Scheduled Shop Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 10/1 — Scheduled Shop Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 10/2 — Scheduled Shop Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
• 10/3 — Shop closed
• 10/4 — Scheduled Shop Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m. Please use the activities entrance.
• 10/5 — FTC Regroup Meeting: 4:00–6:00 p.m.

These times are subject to change, but this is our best estimate of when the shop will be available. Each team will establish its own meeting schedule within the available shop times.

Interested in Helping or Coaching?

We will send a separate email within the next few days to those who have expressed an interest in helping or coaching. We will also hold a Zoom meeting to discuss expectations and requirements.

If you are interested in coaching or helping but have not yet contacted us through the survey or by email, please send a quick message to webmaster@mnmsa.org so that you receive the upcoming information.

Thank you again for a great first day!

Justin Gehring

Ms. Katie Seif

Mr. Noah Langseth