Meet the FTC Scoring System Volunteers

 

FIRST Tech Challenge would like to thank all the volunteers that have worked so hard to make this season happen!   Everyone in the community has been flexible in this restricted season, and dedicated to maintaining the core values ofFIRST:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact:  We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

One of the major ways FIRST Tech Challenge was able to provide a competition season to teams and volunteers this season was the cloud-based FTC Scoring system’s features for remote event scoring, video conferencing and scheduling judging interviews, and uploading Engineering Portfolios. To show our gratitude, we would like to highlight each of the volunteer developers that made the remote season features of the FTC Scoring system possible.  Please feel free to leave a message of gratitude in the comments.

Meet the Developers:

Trey Woodlief

Hobbies: Writing software, playing video games and disc golf, and following my favorite sports teams.

Field/Occupation/Education: PhD Student in Computer Science, focusing on Robotics.

What was your first experience with FIRST?

I was introduced to FIRST through my high school team and although it took me a while to join our FRC team, I really fell in love with the program and knew I would be sticking around.

How long have you been involved in FIRST programs?

I have been involved with FIRST for 7 years between being a student and volunteer.

What programs are you an alum?

I am an alum of FRC Team 1533 Triple Strange “How Strange? Triple Strange!”

What programs have you volunteered for or currently volunteer?

FLL: Referee/HR

FTC: Referee/HR, Regional Planning Committee Member, Scoring System Engineer

FRC: Referee

Most memorable experience?

Every championship that I have attended, both as a student and volunteer, has been a memorable experience. Our team was fortunate to receive a lottery invitation my senior year and that experience

was amazing. Walking out on to the floor of the Edward Jones Dome and seeing nothing but FIRST was a powerful sight.

Why do you choose to volunteer?

I got a lot out of the FIRST program as a student and knew that I wanted to do what I could to make sure that other students had the same opportunities I had. I would not have pursued Electrical Engineering had it not been for FIRST programs allowing me to have hands-on access to robotics. I also really respect and appreciate what FIRST taught me about being a Gracious Professional through the example of the program ethos and volunteers that make everything happen. I hope that my work both at events and behind the scenes helps today’s students have the same experiences I have. Plus, I have as much fun volunteering for FIRST events now as I did as a student!

Do you want to quantify your dedication to volunteering for FIRST. Years, hours etc?

Every year I try to volunteer for as many FTC and FRC events as I can, usually resulting in 4-5 of each, generally working as a referee. I also try to make it to at least one FLL event per year. I have been developing the FTC Scoring System for three years now, which has ranged from 400-800 hours per year.

 

Thomas Barnette

Hobbies: Golf, Disc Golf, Valorant, Rocket League

Field/Occupation/Ed:Software Engineer

What was your first experience with FIRST?

I joined my high school’s FTC Team in August of my freshman year, and the FRC team later that season. The first thing we did was learn the basic mechanics of FTC by building a basic TETRIX 6-wheeled tank-drive chassis and driving it around. I had no idea what I was doing, my group’s chassis was asymmetrical so it didn’t drive straight, but it was tons of fun!

How long have you been involved in FIRST programs?

This is my 10th season involved with FIRST - my first seasons were FTC Bowled Over! and FRC Rebound Rumble.

What programs are you an alum?

FTC - Team 5795/6183 Thunderducks, Team 731 Wannabee Strange

FRC - Team 1533 Triple Strange

What programs have you volunteered for or currently volunteer?

I volunteer for FLL, FTC, and FRC - most often as a referee, but I have had many different roles.

FLL: Referee/HR, Scorekeeper

FTC: Referee/HR, Scorekeeper, Robot Inspector/LRI, FTA, Regional Planning Committee Member, Scoring System Engineer

FRC: Referee, Scorekeeper, FTAA

Most memorable experience?

At our FTC state championship a few years ago, the 3rd match of the finals resulted in a tie, forcing a fourth match. Everyone knew it was close, so there was a lot of suspense waiting for the scores. After the collective surprised reaction to the score, the energy and enthusiasm of everyone present was awesome. The fourth match of that series might be the loudest I have ever heard the audience at a FIRST event.

Why do you choose to volunteer?

I greatly enjoyed the FIRSTprograms when I was a student and learned so much from them. I wanted to continue to be involved with the program and help others get as much out of the programs as I did. Volunteering was a great way to do that. Also, FIRST events are just as fun as a volunteer as they were as a student!

Do you want to quantify your dedication to volunteering for FIRST. Years, hours etc?

Each year I volunteer at almost every FTC & FRC event in my region (5-6 each), and 2 or 3 FLL events, and then at least one FIRST Championship. That sums to a little over 350 event-hours/year.

For the FTC Scoring System, quantifying time is very difficult and varies greatly by year. This is my 3rd season working on the scoring system and it has ranged from 400 to 1000 hours/year.

 

Jacob Burroughs

Field/Occupation/Education: Software Engineer at Instructure (working on the Canvas Learning Management System).

What was your first experience with FIRST?

I started as a FIRST Tech Challenge team member on 4442 Thunderbots out of Highland Park, Illinois.

How long have you been involved in FIRST programs?

My first season was 2010-2011 “Get Over It!” as a freshman programmer. 

What programs are you an alum?

FIRST Tech Challenge

What programs have you volunteered for or currently volunteer?

FIRST Tech Challenge

Why do you choose to volunteer?

I really enjoyed my time as a FIRST student participant, and I want to facilitate current and future students having a similarly positive experience.

Do you want to quantify your dedication to volunteering for FIRST. Years, hours etc?

I first volunteered for the 2011-2012 season “Bowled Over” and have been volunteering ever since (so this is my 10^th season)          

 

Rich Lester

Hobbies: Road trips

Field/Occupation/Ed. : Programmer for school corporation

What was your first experience with FIRST?

I started with my daughter as a mentor on her FRC team up in Michigan. Then after 4 years I moved to Indiana where my now graduated daughter and I mentored another FRC team and were given the opportunity to start an FTC team. Our team is now in it’s 5^th year.

How long have you been involved in FIRST programs?

About 10 years.

What programs are you an alum?

I am too old for that. J

What programs have you volunteered for or currently volunteer?

I have Volunteered for FLL, FTC and FRC

Most memorable experience?

Worlds in 2014. It was eye opening.

Why do you choose to volunteer?

To spend time with my daughter, then I fell in love with the program.

Do you want to quantify your dedication to volunteering for FIRST. Years, hours etc?

I mentor an FTC team and work with the FTC Live scoring system team. I am in contact with developers in the technology team and nominally on that team. (I don’t have time to get into their level of programming unfortunately). I have worked with FRC teams in Michigan and Indiana, FTC teams in Michigan and Indiana. I have been doing this so long that the number of hours would be a scary prospect, but the rest of the guys in the group do far more.

Elizabeth McClurg

FIRST Tech Challenge Program Specialist