Week 1 – Introduction to FTC & Team Roles

🔹 Overview of FTC program, game structure, judging, awards

🔹 Team organization (engineering, programming, outreach, documentation)

🔹 Engineering notebook basics – start first entries

🔹 Icebreaker: mini design challenge (build a tall tower with limited materials)

Week 2 – Robot Fundamentals

🔹 Introduction to REV system, control hub, expansion hub, motors, servos

🔹 Safety and battery handling

🔹 Drivetrain types (tank, omni, mecanum) with small demos

🔹 Hands-on: build a simple rolling chassis

Week 3 – Mechanical Design Workshop

🔹 Gear ratios, torque vs. speed trade-offs

🔹 Lifts, claws, and intakes – overview of common FTC mechanisms

🔹 Brainstorm: design a simple manipulator for game pieces

🔹 Build prototype manipulator (cardboard + FTC parts)

Week 4 – CAD for Robotics (Onshape/Inventor/SolidWorks)

🔹  Intro to CAD software, sketching and constraints

🔹 Practice: design a simple bracket or chassis plate in CAD

🔹 Export and share parts with team

🔹 Notebook entry: CAD screenshots and design rationale

Week 5 – Programming I (TeleOp Basics)

🔹 FTC SDK overview (Java or Blocks)

🔹 Writing first OpMode (drive motors, gamepad mapping)

🔹 Hands-on: code tank drive for the chassis

🔹 Debugging practice

Week 6 – Programming II (Sensors & Control)

🔹 Encoders, IMU, color & distance sensors

🔹 Add encoder driving and gyro turning

🔹 Hands-on: autonomous drive straight & turn test

🔹 Notebook entry: sensor test results

Week 7 – Autonomous Path Planning

🔹 Difference between dead reckoning vs. odometry

🔹 Intro to Road Runner or simple coordinate-based movement

🔹 Program: robot drives a square or figure-eight

🔹 Start thinking about autonomous scoring

Week 8 – Mechanism Integration

🔹 Attach manipulator to chassis

🔹 Program servo/motor control for manipulator

🔹 Practice TeleOp pickup/delivery of game objects

🔹 Reflection: what works well, what needs redesign

Week 9 – Game Strategy & Rules

🔹 Study current year’s FTC game manual

🔹 Identify scoring zones, penalties, and optimal strategies

🔹 Team activity: simulate a match with roles (drivers, referees, coaches)

🔹  Notebook entry: initial strategy notes

Week 10 – Driver Training & Drills

🔹 Driver control practice (accuracy + speed drills)

🔹 Timed runs for scoring objects

🔹 Communication between driver & operator

🔹 End with fun “driver challenge course

Week 11 – Advanced Programming

🔹 PID control basics – tuning for accuracy

🔹 Vision programming intro (AprilTags / TensorFlow)

🔹 Autonomous scoring test runs

🔹 Debugging session

Week 12 – Optimization & Reliability

🔹 Build robustness: cable management, structural reinforcement

🔹 Modular design for easy repair

🔹 Test: run robot repeatedly under stress to find weak points

🔹 Notebook entry: failures and fixes

Week 13 – Judging & Presentation Skills

🔹 Engineering portfolio structure & key elements

🔹 Practice team interview (judges Q&A style)

🔹 Elevator pitch for design and outreach

🔹 Feedback and refinement

Week 14 – Mock Tournament Prep

🔹 Set up practice field elements

🔹 Run qualification-style matches with time limits

🔹 Rotate drivers, operators, and pit crew roles

🔹 Notebook check-in

Week 15 – Mock Tournament & Reflection

🔹 Run full mock competition:

• Judging interviews
• Autonomous + TeleOp matches
• Alliance strategy
•  

🔹  End with reflection: what went well, areas to improve

🔹 Celebration & certificates