Nuclear Space Potatoes FTC #25655

11/14/2025

📚 Coaches Corner

Recently, I had the chance to dive into Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down by J.E. Gordon, thanks to a thoughtful gift from my neighbor after hearing recommendations from coworkers.

For those unfamiliar, this book explores the science and engineering behind structures—from bridges to buildings—and explains why some designs hold up while others fail. It’s a deep dive into the principles of materials, forces, and architectural design.

I won’t lie—much of it went over my head, and I found it to be a challenging read. While it may not be the most practical guide for robotics enthusiasts, if you’re curious about architecture or want to better understand the engineering behind the structures we see every day, this book is a fascinating journey.

Sometimes, exploring outside of our usual STEM focus can give new perspective—even if it’s a tough read!

11/14/2025

FIELD. ✅
TOOLS. ✅
TEAMWORK. ✅
We’re officially ready to start the real season grind. 💪🔥

11/07/2025

Game field unboxing = COMPLETE. ✅
Assembly = NEXT. 🔧
Stay tuned next week to watch us build it! 🚀

10/10/2025

🧠 Coach’s Corner: Book Review
Pre-Engineering Primer, 2nd Edition by Denny Davis

Looks like I’m on a Denny Davis reading streak! 📚😄

This is a great resource for learning (or refreshing) core engineering concepts! Each section gives a clear, concise explanation, followed by questions that test your understanding and connect the concepts to real-world robotics applications.

I do wish there was a bit more detail in the math portions — some of those equations had me stumped! 😅 I’ll admit, I eventually switched from solving to just reading, but I plan to revisit them when I have more brain power (you know...when not in competition season!).

Overall, this is a solid reference and a great addition to any robotics team’s library. Whether you’re a coach, mentor, or especially a student, it’s worth checking out!

10/09/2025

Building bots, one piece at a time 🤖
Check out this timelapse of our mini robot taking shape!

09/12/2025

📚 Coaches Corner 📚

Over the summer, I dug into Designing Competitive FTC Robots by Denny Davis — and what a resource! 🤖

Whether you’re a rookie team just starting out or a seasoned competitor ready to level up, this book breaks down the essentials of FTC robot design in a clear, practical way. From design choices to game-specific strategies, Davis provides step-by-step insights that help coaches and students think critically about how to design with both creativity and competition in mind.

What stood out most to me was how it emphasizes the engineering design process and teaches students why certain design decisions matter — not just how to build them. It’s a fantastic tool to spark discussion with the team and guide them toward smarter builds. I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned this season to help us create a stronger, more competitive robot!

👉 Coaches, mentors, or even students who want to deepen their knowledge — I highly recommend adding this to your bookshelf!

09/09/2025

🚀🥔 We had a blast making these predictions before the big FTC DECODE reveal! Check out our guesses (and Drew’s reactions 🤣) in the special Team Tuesday video.

We want to hear from you - what did your team guess before the reveal?

09/03/2025

3 DAYS!! 🥳

Just 3 days, left, we CANNOT WAIT for you to DIG IN and DECODE with us!

Learn more about the 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season, DECODE presented by RTX! https://hubs.ly/Q03Dm_Kv0

08/27/2025

POV: Us (not) patiently waiting for the presented by RTX season launch! Only 9 more days! ⏰ FIRSTAGE

08/08/2025

Coach’s Corner 📚🤖 | Book Review: The New Cool

I just finished reading The New Cool by Neal Bascomb — and wow, what a ride! This book follows a group of high school students and their mentors through the intense world of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). It’s a front-row seat to the challenges, breakthroughs, and excitement of building a robot for one of the toughest STEM competitions out there.

As a coach (and the founder & CEO of Reboot Robotics), I’m always looking for ways to grow, learn, and better support my teams. I found myself relating on so many levels — from the team coming together and problem-solving, to the excitement and nerves leading up to competition day. I was cheering them on in my head, and honestly, feeling those same butterflies I get with our own team!

Even though the book focuses on FRC, the lessons, challenges, and spirit of The New Cool apply to all levels of FIRST. It’s inspiring, energizing, and a great reminder of the potential our teams have.

Highly recommend this one — 10/10 from me! Whether you’re a coach, mentor, parent, or student, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the journey we take in robotics. 🚀

Have you read The New Cool? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

08/06/2025