FTC Meeting: January 19, 2008
TechBrick FTC Wins the 'Innovate' Award the DE FTC Tournament

Main Photos Below. More photos at the links to the right. Be sure to see the other FTC and JFLL photos. But first, scroll down and enjoy....

On January 19, 2008, TechBrick FTC participated in the DE FTC tournament at "The Bob" athletic center on the University of DE campus. With 36 teams the competition was intense. Each team ran 5 qualifying rounds. During first two rounds most of the teams sorted out various bugs and operational problems. The last three rounds became strategic sessions with lots of blocking and other plays designed to thwart the strengths of other robots. In the end our team was awarded the 'Innovate Award' for developing the most unique solution to the challenge. A big thank you to the DE tournament organizing team that again managed to pull off a triple event (JFLL, FLL, and FTC) with flawless execution. Be sure to watch last year's video, "12," in which we compressed the entire DE Tournament into 3 minutes. Click here for the movie.

Click on the arrow to start the video.    Photos below.     Enjoy.

First, tech check for size and other items.

Then off to the technical interview and work book evaluation.

We meet with other teams to discuss strengths and strategy.

Final adjustments and research before the first round.

Introduction of the judges.

Driver's meeting to cover last minute points.

A little practice before the first rounds. The phone cords are used instead of crystals so we don't interfere with other robots.

Matt reviews research he did while looking at other 'bots.

We webcast most of the day.

We gave out some TechBrick hats and buttons.

There were some very cool costumes.

Lot's of teams at the FLL tournament were using our forms. This coach told me she had seen teams in the UK with our forms.

Lots of fair strategic blocking was going on in the later rounds.

Vince Frascella, the NJ FTC Tournament director stopped by to see our 'bot.

After the final rounds the top 8 teams were chosen.

TechBrick was selected by one of the top 8 teams to participate in the final rounds.

The parrot rode out the entire competition.

The three cooperating teams discuss strategy before the last rounds.

TechBrick receives their Innovate award with high-5's from the judges.