jess.birken

May 14 – 20

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: Robot Movie Party for students!
    • 5pm – 9pm 
    • 1369 Forest Lane Arden Hills
    • Bring your own beverage, we have snacks!
    • Feel free to come a bit late or not stay the whole time; we’re just happy you came to celebrate a great season!
  • No regular meetings!

Reminders:

  • As summer approaches we will have outreach opportunities and events in the community that will need both parent and student volunteers. Keep on eye on #announcements and the weekly update for ways to stay involved!
  • Fill out our end of year communication survey! 
    • Link HERE, should take about 3 minutes.

Kudos:

Kudos to Josiah, Kevin, Isaac, Anika, Xander, Andrew, Nicole, Matt, Geo and Dylan for running stations and a robot demo at the Turtle Lake Family Engineering Night!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

May 7th – 13th

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: Banquet at 7pm
    • Wear formal attire!
    • Seniors, please consider in advance if you wish to have a 1-2 minute speech on your time with KnightKrawler.
  • Tuesday: Demo and volunteering at Turtle Lake
    • (4:45 pm – 8 pm)
  • No regular meetings!

Reminders:

  • Get dressed up for the banquet with us as we celebrate our amazing 2023 season, give thanks to our community and reveal the ‘23 – ‘24 student leadership!
  • If you can help bring a vegetarian / gluten free entree for the banquet potluck, sign up HERE!
  • Fill out our end of year communication survey! 
    • Link HERE, should take about 3 minutes.

Kudos:

Kudos to our strategy team for work pre scouting, notebook scouting, and pit scouting for state! Kudos to our drive team and pit crew for their dedication and unflappability this season. Kudos to all of our students and parents for having awesome energy and cheering in the stands!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

April 30th – May 6th

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: 6-9 pm
  • Wednesday: 6-8 pm
  • Saturday: State Competition at Williams arena
    • Call time 7:15 am
  • Monday May 8th, Team Banquet at 7pm
    • Students wear formal attire
    • Seniors, please consider in advance if you wish to have a 1-2 minute speech on your time with KnightKrawler
    • Potluck sign up HERE
  • Check Slack for optional meetings

Reminders:

  • Click THIS LINK to see our Champs photo album!
  • Students:For State, wear your uniform OR what you would wear to prom!
  • Parents: Our banquet on May 8th is going to be a potluck, sign up to bring something HERE
  • Join us at Williams Arena for MSHSL State, matches start at 8:30 am!

Kudos:

Kudos to all of our students pursuing leadership roles! We love to see you stepping out of your comfort zone and committing to improving and growing our team!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

April 16th – 22nd

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: 6-7:30 Task Force Media members only!
    • Wear formal clothes (NOT KnightKrawler Uniform) to school!
  • Tuesday: Students leave for Champs, meeting at Irondale.
    • Champs bus load in time and parent send off (11:30am)
  • Saturday: Students return from Champs to Irondale, time TBD.

Reminders:

  • If students are attending classes Tuesday morning they can leave luggage with Ms. Lee in the robotics space.
  • Students check out this document with a packing list and tips about champs from returning students
  • Other Champs things:
    • The bus has outlets but no WiFi.
    • Highly recommend downloading the FIRST Championships app.
  • Parent volunteers needed for MSHSL State Competition load in/load out (Friday 5/5 and Saturday 5/6) (Contact Ms.Lee if interested!)

Kudos:

Kudos to Anika, Lynnea and Max Johnson for running a Girl Scout badge at St. Johns this past week. Also, Kudos to our parent Chaperones for volunteering for Champs!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

April 9 – 15

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

All champs materials (travel donation/payment plan, health form, permission form) are due by the end of the meeting April 10!!

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: 6-8pm
    • There will be an optional meeting starting after school
    • A leadership meeting will held Monday from 8pm-9pm 
    • Any students who have been shadowing a captain are welcome to join the Leadership meeting at 8pm.
  • Tuesday: Members running the Girl Scout badge at St.Johns (3:45pm).
  • Wednesday: 6-8pm
  • **Check Slack for possible optional meetings

Reminders:

  • All champs materials (travel donation/payment plan, health form, permission form) are due by the end of the meeting April 10!!
  • MSHSL State is May 6. The competition is looking for parent volunteers to help with load in and load out on Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. Reach out to Ms. Lee if you are interested!
  • KnightKrawler will be at the school board meeting on April 11 (7pm, Board Room at the District Center). This is also live-streamed at this link — https://www.youtube.com/live/nyf_DhOLe8Q?feature=share

Kudos:

Kudos to Tommy Lee for getting our new Robot Reveal Video to its final stages. Stay tuned to the Team 2052 KnightKrawler channel on YouTube for when it comes out! Also, kudos to students for contributing at the Sunday night FRC roundtable, thanks for helping us strengthen our MN FIRST community! 

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

April 2 – April 7

TLDR? – Mandatory parent/guardian travel meeting Wednesday 4/5/23 7pm in the IMC
Meetings and Events:
Monday:
3:30 – Media optional meeting
5:00 – Unloading trailer (optional)
6-9 – Regular meeting (email [email protected] if you are missing for the orchestra concert)
Wednesday: 7pm Mandatory travel meeting in the IMC
**Check Slack for possible optional meetings
Reminders:
All students AND mentors should fill out this form to indicate whether they will be attending champs with the team! This info helps as I finalize numbers for hotel rooms/bussing.
Kudos:
Lots of Kudos this week!!
– To the team for winning the 10k Regional event with our alliance partners! And A+ dancing / spirit in the stands!
– To everyone who participated in scouting – your great work facilitated an excellent alliance strategy and made selection run smoothly.
– To those who worked on submitting the FIRST Sustainability Award, and the Dean’s List Award.
– And last but not least, kudos to everybody who stayed after 10k to help with tear down of the field.
That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

March 26 – April 1

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

TLDR? – 10K is 3/31 and 4/1; bus leaves from Irondale at 7:15AM both days!

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: 6-9
  • Wednesday: Media and Impact Award Only! 6-8
  • Friday: 10K Regional
  • Saturday: 10K Regional & Tear Down Volunteering
  • **Check Slack for possible optional meetings

Reminders:

  • 10K will take all students to UMN (Williams Arena) Friday (3/31) and Saturday (4/1) from Irondale. Call time for the bus is 7:15am at the front entrance both days.
  • Family and friends are invited to sit with KnightKrawler in the stands at 10K! This event is open to the public and it is super fun to come cheer for our team and see the product of your student’s hard work and long hours be put to the test!
  • Champs travel meeting on 4/5/23 at 7pm in the IMC! Parents must attend to fill out permission forms/health waivers/pay travel fee (TBD on the amount, last year was $250 per student)
  • All students AND mentors should fill out this form to indicate whether they will be attending champs with the team! This info helps as we finalize numbers for hotel rooms/bussing.

Kudos:

Kudos to Muaz and Nicole for being selected as our Impact Award presenters, and to Ken for being our Back Up presenter! Kudos to students who made our buttons for 10K!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

March 19 – 25

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

TLDR? – We need volunteers for 10K and other important 10K student info below! 10K Info; Champs travel meeting date now 4/5/23 in the IMC.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: 6-9pm
  • Wednesday: 6-8pm
  • Friday: Optional Meeting 6pm-9pm
  • 10,000 Lakes Regional at Williams Arena on Friday Mar 31 and April 1st.
  • Required championships travel meeting on April 5th at 7pm in the Irondale IMC.

10,000 Lakes Regional Breakdown:

  • 10K will take all students to UMN (Williams Arena) Friday (3/31) and Saturday (4/1) from Irondale. Call time for the bus is 7:15am at the front entrance both days.
  • All students should fill out this form to indicate their lunch preferences for 10K by 3/26.
  • Student and parent volunteers are needed for takedown following 10K on 4/1/23. Fill out this form if you are free!

Reminders:

  • Champs travel meeting date has been changed to 4/5/23 at 7pm in the IMC! Parents must attend to fill out permission forms/health waivers/pay travel fee (TBD on the amount, last year was $250 per student)
  • All students AND mentors should fill out this form to indicate whether they will be attending champs with the team! This info helps as I finalize numbers for hotel rooms/bussing.
  • Invite family and friends to come to 10,000 Lakes with us! Williams Arena is open to the public and it is a great opportunity to see our robot play and understand what robotics is all about. (They can totally go in the pits too; as long as they have safety glasses!)

Kudos:

Kudos to Ken, Geo, and Caleb Hill for coming to the FRC Sunday Roundtable and contributing to our discussion on scouting and the creation of scouting games. Thanks for helping strengthen our MN FIRST community!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

March 12-18

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

TLDR? – We need volunteers for 10K. Travel meeting about Champs on April 3rd. Regular meetings back to Mondays/Wednesdays.

Meetings/Events

  • No regular meetings, check Slack for possible optional meetings during the week.
  • 10,000 Lakes Regional at Williams Arena on Friday Mar 31 and April 1st.
  • Required championships travel meeting on April 3rd

Reminders:

  • Build Season is officially over; regular meetings will happen on Mondays and Wednesdays. 
  • We need parent and student volunteers to help disassemble the field after the 10K Lakes regional. Sign up HERE
  • Invite family and friends to come to 10,000 Lakes with us! Williams Arena is open to the public and it is a great opportunity to see our robot play and understand what robotics is all about. (They can totally go in the pits too; as long as they have safety glasses!)

Kudos:

Just want to give a shout out to our student behavior and gracious professionalism at the hotel and DECC. Each year staff remind us that this is a time of year they look forward to because FRC students and team are so respectful. Great work!

That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

March 5 – March 11

Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

Meetings/Events

  • Monday: Optional Meeting 6pm- 9pm
    •  (Highly encouraged for Media students!)
    • All Students should wear their uniforms to school on Monday to celebrate our alliance victory in Duluth!
    • Jennifer Kyle is collecting work shirts; if you need patches bring them (or send them with a friend) to the optional meeting.
  • Wednesday: Optional Meeting 6pm – 8pm
  • No regular meetings over Spring Break.

Updates:

    • Northern Lights was a resounding success! Our team was in the 1st seat alliance, and won the competition with 5913 Patriotics and 4624 Rebel Alliance. 
    • Wondering what is next?
      • 10,000 Lakes regional at Williams Arena. (Mar 30th-April 1st)
      • FIRST World Championships (April 19th-22nd)
      • MSHSL State Competition (May 6th)
    • If you turn in your work shirt to get sponsor patches, it will be returned after Spring Break!

    Kudos:

    HUGE KUDOS TO THE TEAM!!!! Thank you all so much for scouting, driving, pit repair, volunteering, chaperoning, team spirit and all your hard work and Gracious Professionalism! We are SO PROUD of what we have done and what we’re going to accomplish at 10,000 Lakes, MSHSL State and Championships!

    Kudos to parent chaperones, mentors, pit crew, all students who pit or match scouted, Caleb for coordinating scouting, our drive team (Xander, Isaac, Dylan, Matt), and our media students!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Feb 26 – Mar 4

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    HERE is a packing list and tips from returning students!

    Meetings/Events

    • Monday: optional meeting 3:30-7pm Reveal night & travel meeting 7pm!
      • Students; wear your uniforms because we are taking a team photo!
    • Wednesday: No meeting, Drive team leaves for Duluth 3:30pm
      • Students; wear formal attire to school.
    • Thursday:  Students leave for Duluth!
      • Students wear Irondale or KnightKrawler apparel. 
    • Saturday March 4:  All Students return from Duluth!

    Reveal Night:

    • Family, friends, neighbors and sponsors are invited to see our 2023 robot on Monday February 27th at 7pm!
    • For families of students traveling to our Duluth Regional on March 2nd, the travel information and expectations meeting will be directly after our reveal presentation.

    Northern Lights Regional:

    • Wash your team uniform before Wednesday! 
    • Departure:
      • Drive team leaves Wednesday, members should bring their travel belongings to Irondale [Check Slack on where to store them!]
      • All other students should plan on coming to Irondale by 8:15 am on Thursday with their travel belongings, meeting at 8:30am in the Front Commons.
    • During Competition:
      • There are two First Robotics competitions happening at the same time in Duluth. If you are trying to find out information, KnightKrawler is competing in the Northern Lights regional.
      • We will send out the stream link so family and friends can watch at home & highly recommended TheBlueAlliance app, subscribe to Team 2052 to get updates on when we play!
    • Return to Irondale:
      • Bus should arrive back at Irondale around 9:00pm

    Kudos:

    Kudos to all of our volunteers who made Week Zero possible! There was so much work put into this event, and 32 teams comprising over 1000 people got to experience a great day of practice and excitement. Also bonus Kudos to Loyce for MCing a match; great way to step out of your comfort zone!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Feb 19 – 25 (Week Zero!)

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    TLDR?- We need volunteers for Week Zero 2/24 & 2/25! Students MUST sign up for week zero set-up/take down AND a shift during Week Zero. 

    Meetings and Events:

    • Monday: optional meeting 1pm-9m
    • Wednesday: Check Slack due to weather.
    • Friday: Regular meeting 6-9 & WEEK ZERO SET UP 8:30-11:30 pm
    • Saturday Feb 25: Week Zero!
      • Students must be at Irondale at 8:45 am (unless their shift says otherwise!)
      • Volunteers check your shifts
      • There is no provided lunch on Saturday.
      • TAKE DOWN – 4pm-6pm

    Week Zero:

    • YOU ARE INVITED! Week Zero is Saturday, February 25th, all are welcome to come see our new robot and the robots of 30 other teams! Bring the family, bring the kids! Stop by, stay as long as you like.
    • It is required for all students to sign up for a setup/take down shift for Week zero in addition students must sign up for other volunteer shifts. Sign up HERE.
      • If you sign up for set up → 8:30-11:30pm on Friday
      • If you sign up for take down → 4pm-6pm or later on Saturday.
    • Students wear your uniform (gold shirt and maroon work shirt) to Week Zero.
    • Parents and volunteers! Sign up for a volunteer Week Zero shift HERE. We need people to run:
      • Welcome Table / Raffle Table
      • Concessions
      • Parking Attendant – Entrance
      • Floater

    Kudos:

    Kudos to Isaac Johnson for making Secondary Driver and to Caleb Fynewever for making backup Secondary Driver! Kudos to our autonomous team for getting autos tested, keep up the good work!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Feb 5 – 11

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    TLDR?- Students need 10 points & complete FIRST Registration to travel. Want more KnightKrawler coffee? Order HERE. Duluth travel costs (see info in THIS FORM) Volunteer to help with Week Zero !

    Meetings and Events:

    • Monday: 6-9 
    • Tuesday: Check Slack for optional meeting 6-9pm
    • Wednesday: 6-8
    • Thursday: Check Slack for optional meeting 6-9pm
    • Friday: 6-9
    • Saturday: 9am-4pm
      • Saturday Lunch is:  
        • Sponsored Cub party sandwiches, sign up to help HERE.

    This Saturday:

    What to Bring:

    • All – Refillable water bottle / coffee cup

    What’s Happening:

    • Students: Check Slack and Monday.com
    • Field Volunteers: Painting and Final Touches – 9 AM – Woodshop
    • Lunch Volunteers: We need help with set up / take down sign up HERE

    Reminder:

    • Students and parents: Fill out the DULUTH TRAVEL FORM together whether or not you are going to competition with the team.
    • Parents, if you would like to help us sew sponsor patches onto work shirts message Jennifer Kyhl on Slack.
    • Parents: Watch your inbox for more info on Week Zero volunteer opportunities; sign up for them HERE
    • DULUTH TRAVEL COSTS: 
      • Travel fees are OPTIONAL and will be considered as donations for the team. The estimated travel fee per student this year is $200-$225. This covers our competition registration fee and rooms.

    Kudos:

    Kudos to Andrew Paetznick for his work on the Woodie Flowers essay (sorry for missing you last week Andrew!) Kudos to JJ and Loyce for work on subsystem and Limelight code!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Jan 29 – Feb 4

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    TLDR? – Last potluck of the season but we still need sign ups! We need 1 more chaperone for the Duluth regional (March 2-4th), and students and parents fill out THIS travel form.

    Meetings and Events:

    • Monday: 6-9 
    • Tuesday: No meeting
    • Wednesday: 6-8
    • Thursday: optional meeting 6-9pm
    • Friday: 6-9
    • Saturday: 9am-4pm
      • Saturday Lunch is:  
        • Potluck (Theme: Favorites) CLICK HERE to bring something to share!

    This Saturday:

    What to Bring:

    • All – Refillable water bottle / coffee cup

    What’s Happening:

    • Students: Check Slack and Monday.com
    • Field Volunteers: Painting Field Elements – 9 AM – Woodshop
    • Lunch Volunteers: We need help with side dishes sign up HERE

    Reminder:

    • Students and parents: Fill out the DULUTH TRAVEL FORM together whether or not you are going to competition with the team.
    • We need 1 more chaperone for Duluth regional (March 2-4th) contact [email protected]! Check your inbox for a previous email sent about chaperoning if you want more info. (Didn’t get it? Email [email protected])
    • Parents, if you would like to help us sew sponsor patches onto work shirts message Jennifer Kyhl on Slack.
    • Students: Interested in helping us run a Lego girl scout badge during Week Zero? DM @Michelle.Johnson on Slack.

    We need:

    • Donations for build supplies. Donate via paypal and put the word “supplies” in the memo line.
    • Donations for lunches. Donate via paypal and put the word “lunch” in the memo line.

    Kudos:

    Kudos to Xander Daire and Geo Beach for putting in a ton of work on the Woodie Flowers Award essay for Scott! Also a shout out to our Media Task Force members for taking on new responsibilities with our social media and Robot Reveal Video!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Jan 22-28

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    TLDR? –Lunch is potluck, we NEED help getting food! Sign up HERE– Correction; chaperoning for Duluth competition is March 2-4. Also, students and parents fill out THIS travel form.

    Meetings and Events:

    • Monday: OPTIONAL 6-9 
    • Tuesday: No meeting
    • Wednesday: OPTIONAL 6-8
    • Thursday: No meeting
    • Friday: OPTIONAL  6-9
    • Saturday: 9am-4pm
      • Saturday Lunch is:  
        • POTLUCK – (Breakfast theme)

    This Saturday:

    What to Bring:

    • All – Refillable water bottle / coffee cup
    • Volunteers – bring a drill

    What’s Happening:

    • Students: Bring a refillable water bottle!
    • Parents: Interested in chaperoning for Duluth (3/2 – 3/4) and didn’t receive an email with information? Contact [email protected].
    • Field Volunteers: Building Field Elements and Painting – 9 AM
    • Lunch Volunteers: Right now we cannot feed everyone with the current amount of volunteers. Please use THIS LINK to sign up to bring a main dish!

    Reminder:

    • Students and parents: Fill out the DULUTH TRAVEL FORM together whether or not you are going to competition with the team.
    • Students: Interested in helping us run a Lego girl scout badge during Week Zero? DM @Michelle.Johnson on Slack.

    We need:

    • Donations for build supplies. Donate via paypal and put the word “supplies” in the memo line.
    • Donations for lunches. Donate via paypal and put the word “lunch” in the memo line.

    Kudos:

    Kudos to Issac and Kevin for putting in a lot of work to CAD our robot and its prototypes! Awesome work! Also, Kudos to Annika, Lynnea, Caleb F and Nicole for writing autonomous paths for the robot; I’m truly proud of how fast you all have progressed and I can’t wait to see what else you will design!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    Jan 15-21

    Hey all, this is Lexi Birken, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update.

    TLDR? -Usual meetings except Monday 1/16 is optional, and we need chaperone volunteers for March 2-6 ([email protected] for info)

    Meetings and Events:

    • Monday: OPTIONAL 6-9 
    • Tuesday: No meeting
    • Wednesday: 6-8
    • Thursday: No meeting
    • Friday: 6-9
    • Saturday: 9am-4pm
      • Saturday Lunch is:  
        • Sponsored Dominos Pizza with salad or side dish and a beverage (sponsored by Costco and team donations!)

    This Saturday:

    What to Bring:

    • All – Refillable water bottle / coffee cup
    • Volunteers – bring a drill

    What’s Happening:

    • Students – check Slack and Monday.com
    • Field Volunteers: Cutting Wood & Building Field Elements 9 AM @ Woodshop
    • Lunch Volunteers: We need help for setup/takedown, sign up  HERE

    Asks:

    We need:

    • 4+ volunteers to chaperone for the Northern Lights Regional Competition.
      • approx. 8:30am Thursday March 2nd to 8pm Saturday March 6th. 
      • Take the bus with the team or drive up on your own.
    • Contact @Ms. Lee on slack or email [email protected] 

    We need:

    • Donations for build supplies. Donate via paypal and put the word “supplies” in the memo line.
    • Donations for lunches. Donate via paypal and put the word “lunch” in the memo line.

    Kudos:

    Kudos to everyone who took the test for Drive Team, way to try something new!
    Also, huge shout out to Scott Davis for being our Woodie Flowers Award nominee and Caleb Hill and Lexi Birken for being our Deans List nominees!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    January 9 – 14

    Meetings/Events

    Monday: 6-9 
    Tuesday: No meeting
    Wednesday: 6-8 (design team till 9pm)
    Thursday: Possible design team virtual meeting after 5pm
    Friday: 6-9
    Saturday: 9am-4pm

    • Saturday Lunch is: Sponsored Cub party sandwiches, Salad, Chips, Fruit Punch & Lemonade

    This Saturday:

    What to Bring:

    • All – Refillable water bottle / coffee cup
    • Volunteers – bring a drill

    What’s Happening:

    • Students – check Slack and Monday.com
    • Field Volunteers: We need help cutting wood. 9 AM @ Woodshop
    • Lunch Volunteers: We need help for setup/takedown, sign up HERE

    Parents/Volunteer Reminder:

    • Subscribe to KnightKrawler’s google calendar. Click THIS link.
    • Keep watching Slack for updates in real time. Need to join? Email [email protected] to request an invite to Slack .
    • Thank you in advance for your help this season, no matter how small!

    Asks

    We need:

    • Donations for build supplies. Donate via paypal and put the word “supplies” in the memo line.
    • Donations for lunches. Donate via paypal and put the word “lunch” in the memo line.
    • YOU to help build the week zero field and help set up / tear down lunches –  look for comms about these topics in your inbox and in Slack.

    Kudos

    Kudos to Kevin, Isaac, Tu, Charlie, Dylan, Ryan and Ken for running our Friday demo at Ebenezer Senior Care, the residents had a great time, and it was an awesome opportunity to give back to our community and connect with a sponsor!

    That’s all for this weekly update. Thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals!

    December 31 2022

    Hey all this is Lexi, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update for December 31st 2022.

    Meetings and Events:

    Heads up for the week ahead we have a meeting on Wednesday January 4th from 6 pm to 8 pm. We are also running a demo at Ebenezer Elder Care in Roseville from 6 pm to 7 pm on Friday. We need 6-8 students, and it would be awesome to have some new students participate in this event. Please email or Slack message Lexi Birken to help with this demo! Our KickOff will be on January 7th starting at 10:45 am and going till 5 pm. As with each Build Season meeting, lunch is provided.

    Reminders:

    Students, remember to fill out the Woodie Flowers and Deans List nomination forms. They are posted in #announcements, and are due soon! These awards recognize students and mentors who inspire others and follow the core values of FIRST. If you want to help out at the Ebenezer demo, make sure to have transportation arranged and bring a mask to wear! 

    Parents and Volunteers remember that you can subscribe to KnightKrawler’s google calendar, so you know what is coming in the months ahead. Click THIS link to subscribe. Also, please keep an eye on Slack and the Asks section of our updates to see if there is anything you can help with during Build Season. KnightKrawler is grateful for any and all help we receive, no matter how small!

    Asks:

    KnightKrawler has meetings every Saturday during Build Season, and we provide lunch for students. This year we are moving away from the potluck system because it isn’t equitable for all families to take time or money to prepare and bring food every week. Instead KnightKrawler is working with local restaurants and grocery stores to bring in lunches. However we still need to put together a few days of food for 75 students and volunteers. If you can donate money towards getting lunch, it will help prove this new system works. To donate use our paypal link or click the donate button on the website and put the word “lunch” in your memo line!

    We also have a second ask for our community this week; as we look towards Build Season, KnightKrawler will need help building a field (what the robots drive on) for Week Zero ( the practice competition) we host. If you have technical skills (or if you can hold a paintbrush!) reach out to Steve Pesklo on Slack or by emailing him using [email protected] to help us set up or build the field. KnightKrawler is proud to offer this opportunity for other teams to come and practice on a real full-sized field, but without your help, this isn’t possible. Thanks to all of our past and future volunteers who have assisted us in making Week Zero happen.

    Sponsor shout-out:

    Our generous sponsors support KnightKrawler. This week we’re highlighting the Groves Foundation. Groves foundation has been helping fund twin cities projects and building up communities since 1955. Groves Foundation’s longtime sponsorship has helped KnightKrawler have the confidence to envision a bright future and keep on building students–and robots!  If you, someone you know, or your employer is interested in sponsoring KnightKrawler, reach out to Steve Pesklo by emailing him using [email protected].

    Kudos:

    This week’s kudos go to Caleb Hill for getting Andy (our old shop vac) up and running. The joy and curiosity you bring to your projects is inspiring, keep it up Caleb!

    That’s our update for this week, thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals. Let me hear you holler, KnightKrawler!

    December 24th 2022

    Hey all this is Lexi, your KnightKrawler team Captain here with the weekly update for December 24th, 2022.

    Meetings and Events:

    Heads up for the week ahead we have no meetings, enjoy winter break! We will come back on Wednesday January 4th 2023, and will have KickOff on January 7th starting at 10:45 am and going till 5:00 pm. As with each Build Season meeting, lunch is provided.

    Reminders:

    As wintery weather sets in, here’s an update on KnightKrawler’s meeting cancellation policy. All decisions for regular vs optional meetings will be made by noon and communication will go out on Slack and via email. We will generally follow the steps of the Irondale activities office.

    Students, remember to fill out the Woodie Flowers and Deans List nomination forms. They are posted in #announcements, and are due soon! These awards recognize students and mentors who inspire others and follow the core values of FIRST. Also, remember to have notifications turned on for Slack, especially for #announcements and your respective subteam channels.

    Parents and Volunteers remember that you can subscribe to KnightKrawler’s google calendar, so you know what is coming in the months ahead. Click THIS link to subscribe.

    Asks:

    KnightKrawler has meetings every Saturday during Build Season, and we provide lunch for students. This year we are moving away from the potluck system because it isn’t equitable for all families to take time or money to prepare and bring food every week. Instead KnightKrawler is working with local restaurants and grocery stores to bring in lunches. However we still need to put together a few days of food for 75 students and volunteers. If you can donate money towards getting lunch, it will help prove this new system works. To donate use our paypal link or click the donate button on the website and put the word “lunch” in your memo line!

    Sponsor shout-out:

    Our generous sponsors support KnightKrawler. This week we’re highlighting Donatelle. Donatelle manufactures precise and complex medical instruments. Their core values are reliability and creating possibilities, both which we also value in robotics. Thanks, Donnatelle for sponsoring KnightKrawler!  If you, someone you know, or your employer is interested in sponsoring KnightKrawler, reach out to Steve Pesklo by emailing him using [email protected].

    Kudos:

    This week’s kudos go to Dylan, Kevin, Tommy, Cam, Loyce, Caleb F, Caleb H, Ryan H, Ken and Nicole for their Gracious Professionalism and curiosity when visiting FedTech this past Tuesday. Awesome work you guys, thank you for representing KnightKrawler and our values in our community!

    That’s our update for this week, thanks to everyone who helps our team come together and accomplish our goals. Let me hear you holler, KnightKrawler!