Monthly Newsletter: Volume 8

January 14, 2023

Happy New Year from Maine Stream Place! Since our last newsletter, we’ve officially kicked off the 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) season. This year’s game is called CRESCENDO, which we’ll share more about below. We’re excited to share details with you -- updates to our events, programming, and schedules along with how you can support the efforts of our teams. Our FIRST Lego League (FLL) team, The Squires of Katahdin, is working hard to prepare for competition coming up quickly on Saturday, February 3rd. We’ll be ready to cheer them on, and hope you will, too!  January has brought a flurry of activity and anticipation, and we’re feeling ready to tackle the busy season ahead.

Christmas at MSPI

1st Annual Christmas Party

Saturday, December 9th

MSPI families and volunteers gathered for a heavy dose of holiday cheer and fellowship for the First Annual MSPI Christmas Party! Held at the shop, families of both The Squires and The Knights came together for an evening of Mario Kart, cupcake decorating, a ‘Yankee swap’ gift exchange, Ugly Sweater competition, games and plenty of pizza. In the midst of a hectic season, fun was alive and well as we took time to celebrate before the start of a new year.  Enjoy a few photos of our celebration!  

FRC Kick-off: CRESCENDO

Saturday, January 6th brought the worldwide kick-off of the 2024 FRC Season! Live streamed via Twitch, the Knights of Katahdin watched together as details of the game were announced, followed by a rule study session with mentors at the shop. Students and mentors continue to dig into the specifics of the game, learning parameters and restrictions, and formulating the best ways to play the game. The segments of the game the Knights decide are most important to them directly impacts final elements of the robot design. During this phase of the season, the Knights and Mentors meet almost daily, working toward a design that can accomplish as many of the game’s goals as possible.

CRESCENDO Overview

This year’s game is musically themed, with each robot needing to utilize orange ‘Notes’ (10-inch foam rings,) to accomplish various tasks. Shooting or placing the Notes strategically, as well as the ability of the robot to lift itself and hang on the ‘Stage’ (the Stage is a chain the robot must lift itself onto,) as an end to each match, with special tasks and challenges for our Human Player mixed in. Click HERE for a quick video highlighting the game!

WINTER PROGRAMS

Take a look at what's happening this month at MSPI!

This year’s game, MASTERPIECE, is about the technology that will improve an audience’s experience of a creative production. Points are scored by activating different types of technology. The experts involved in designing the shows and the audience members need to be delivered to various venues around the mat.

The Squires of Katahdin (Team 16492)

• Held @ Maine STREAM Place’s Shop

• Ages 5th-8th Grade

• Meeting each Monday and Friday, 1:30 - 3:00 PM (Smaller groups will meet as needed per instruction from Coach Monica)

• State Competition on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – Brewer Community School, Brewer, Maine

  
  What is FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge? FIRST LEGO League Challenge is one of three divisions by age group of the FIRST® LEGO® League program and serves children ages 9-16. This program inspires young people to experiment and grow their confidence, critical thinking, and design skills through hands-on learning. FIRST LEGO League was created through an alliance between FIRST® and LEGO® Education.

Competition Meeting & Season Schedule

Knights of Katahdin: FRC Team 9055

• Held @ MSPI Shop

• Meetings occur on the following schedule until communicated otherwise

  • Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Wednesdays off)

  • Sat. & Sun.: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• February 17th: PENDING: Week 0, Bedford, New Hampshire

• February 29th – March 2nd: Granite State, Salem, New Hampshire

• March 15th – 17th: Pine Tree District Event, Lewiston, Maine

   

  Participation dependent on prior competition performance:

• April 3rd – 6th: NE District Competition, West Springfield, Massachusetts

• April 17th – 20th: FRC WORLD Competition, Houston, TX

   

PROGRAM NEEDS

How can YOU make a difference at MSPI?

Financial contributions toward programming, competition fees and team travel are always needed and welcome!

The WISH LIST items below would be so appreciated, and can be new or gently used:

• Refrigerator (Could be full or apartment size)

• Metal Cabinet (Counterheight for food storage, metal to be creature-proof,) example linked HERE, but a similar style would work!

• Safety Glasses for Glowforge use (3 pairs,) linked HERE

• Laminator

• Markers for Glass White Board, linked HERE

• Composition Notebooks, linked HERE

You can also donate the proceeds from your RETURNABLES (Bottles + Cans) by visiting Ron’s Redemption in Farmington (144 Franklin Avenue)

REACH OUT