Blog & News

Pink Titans Shares with Educators at MakerEdTO 2019 Conference

7/4/2019

On July 5, 2019, the Pink Titans shared their experience, in the design-process for the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition, with educators at the MakerEdTO Conference. Teachers test-drove the robot by picking up soft playground balls, lifting them to the desired height, then shooting them in the scoring bins. Austin, the Lead Programmer in 2015, discussed the goals of the Pink Titans, including inclusive participation. He also explained the benefit of participation in the FIRST program for gaining non-technical, transferable skills and discovering interests for post-secondary success. His preparation and application for employment at Ubisoft, a video game company, exemplifies these benefits.

@frc5719 Pink Titans check out more at https://t.co/dypOFjUuiH #MakerEdTO conference #stem #makerspace #makerEd https://t.co/WeBYTkKRrJ
— MakerEdTO (@MakerEdTO) July 4, 2019

Nothing but net! TY @frc5719 for letting me try out your robot at #MakerEdTO! ?? #robotics #STEM #STEAM #MakerEd @MakerEdTO pic.twitter.com/IIaM7N94TO
— Amanda Chan (@MsChan905) July 5, 2019

Kawhi Leonard's "I want to be the best team" reply can apply to FIRST teams and any organization.

5/26/2019

On May 25, 2019, the Toronto Raptors advanced to the National Basketball Association's (NBA) finals. Kawhi Leonard, the team's star player, was praised by Masai Ujiri, the team's president. He said that Leonard is the best player in the league. In response, Kawhi stated that "(he doesn't) care about being the best player. (He wants) to be (on) the best team".

We've heard of the common expression that the team works as well as the "best" person on the team. The term "best" is general as it can include an assortment of skill sets (technical and non-technical), experiences, and abilities. Nobody is perfect and nobody is the best at everything. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes we judge others because they do things differently that we do, or often "not in the best way" in our minds.

However, another common expression is "together, we are stronger". How is this achievable? Each of us can bring the "best" that we have to the team for each situation. With greater patience, acceptance and understanding of each other's differences and unique experiences, each of us has the capacity to grow in areas that we know not to be the "best" at. With collective growth, the team can improve more effectively and enjoyably in meeting its goals of greater success.

It is wonderful for a high-profile role model to exhibit humbleness and team-focus for countless children and adults to emulate and exemplify on their teams and organizations. We will all be stronger as a result.

Raptors' Kawhi Leonard on 'Best player in basketball': "I don't care about being the best player. I want to be the best team. ... We're in the Finals and we're not done yet." pic.twitter.com/jAHZPPMS1H
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 26, 2019

Pink Titans Compete At Fall Fiesta - Junior Event; 1st Overall Pick on Alliance One in Play-Offs

10/19/2018

On Oct. 19, 2018, FRC 5719 - Pink Titans competed at the Fall Fiesta Junior Event at Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, home of FRC 4914 - Panthers, in Toronto, Ontario. In September and October prior to the event, the team recruited new members for roles of Human Player, scouts, and Pit Crew.

The Pink Titans finished with a record of 4 and 2, ranking ninth of 26 teams. During qualifying rounds, Pinkie Pie (the robot) scored multiple times in the Scale, Switch, and Vault. In Alliance Selection, the Pink Titans were selected as the first overall pick, which was the first time that the team received this honour at a FIRST Event.

Thank you to FIRST Canada, FRC 4914 - Panthers, TDSB Robotics, and all volunteers for your passions in putting together an enjoyable event.

TY @CANFIRST @Team4914 @TDSB_Robotics, vols for passions in providing great exp; oppty to help ignite curiosity in STEM, introd new fans & members to FIRST Robotics @ #FallFiesta2018 Jr Evnt. TY @frc6070 for consid w/ @FRC_5921 to join Alliance 1, honour of being 1st overall pick pic.twitter.com/42CLysUU6E
— Pink Titans (@frc5719) December 24, 2018

Pink Titans Reach Out to Girls of Glen Ravine Junior Public School on International Day of the Girl Child

10/11/2018

On Oct. 11, 2018, girls of FRC 5719 - Pink Titans continued their cross-panel collaboration with Grades 4-5 girls from Glen Ravine Jr PS. The younger girls received guidance from the Pink Titans on building MakerBots with a screwdriver and wrench; plus following instructions from a manual. As well, the girls learned to program, using Scratch, controls by keyboard and producing sounds on command. The girls also learned to apply light-detecting sensors and programmed the robot to chase a light from a cell phone.

In recognition of the United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child, the Pink Titans spoke to their younger peers about the importance of being themselves without fear of judgement, plus making connections with supportive individuals in fearless pursuit of goals and dreams.

TY @MsKhakoo @GlenRavineJrPS for oppty for cross-panel collaboration, building and sustaining mentor-mentee relationships bet. our girls on #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild. pic.twitter.com/gHLzFHR9o8
— Pink Titans (@frc5719) December 24, 2018

Pink Titans Attend 2056 Ways To Inspire Conference

9/29/2018

On Sept. 29, 2018, members of FRC 5719 - Pink Titans attended the annual 2056 Ways To Inspire Conference at Orchard Park Secondary School, home of FRC 2056 - OP Robotics, in Stoney Creek, Ontario. FRC 2056 was ranked third at the 2018 FIRST Championship in Detroit. In addition to Aaditya and Jordain (veteran members) with Mr. Lachance (mentor), new members (Henry, Kalen, Adriel, Abdul, Aruba, and Cody) attended.

The members learned about topics such as team management (Simons, FRC 5406), mechanical design (Qader, FRC 1325; Shah and Momen, FRC 1241), programming (Elliot, FRC 2056), awards (Aldersons and Tollis, FRC 4039); plus "How to win 23 consecutive regionals" (Holtzman, FRC 2056) and FIRST Global Challenge in Mexico City (Hunter, FRC 2056). The Pink Titans were greatly appreciative of the time, enthusiasm, and great efforts of all presenters who shared their experiences and expertise in hopes of assisting and improving teams for the 2019 FRC season.

TY @frc2056 for hosting, organizing 2056 Ways To Inspire Conf w oppty to learn from you, other @CANFIRST teams. Attendees felt v inspired after learning keys to contd success, effective team culture & more ways of embracing FIRST exp. OfC TY for oppty to see your robots up close! pic.twitter.com/CAebsC1g8K
— Pink Titans (@frc5719) October 2, 2018

Pink Titans Thanks Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma as Sustaining Sponsor in 2018

9/25/2018

On Sept. 25, 2018, senior Pink Titans Aaditya, Jordain, and Mr. Kim, on behalf of the Pink Titans team, had the opportunity to thank Past-President Heather Horner and President Francesco Coccimiglio for the gracious sponsorship of the team in 2017-18. Aaditya, Jordain, and Mr. Kim were graciously invited to attend the September Board Meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma and dinner at Cibo Restaurant in Yorkville. Thank you Pres. Horner and Pres. Coccimiglio for the opportunity to meet many of your members and share the wonderful experiences of growth and learning, provided with much thanks to the help of Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma!

Pink Titans Thanks Toronto District School Board for Gracious Sponsorship in 2018

8/19/2018

On Aug. 19, 2018, the Pink Titans had the opportunity to thank Ms. Pint, Robotics Administrator of the Toronto District School Board, for the gracious sponsorship of the team in 2018. Ms. Pint attended the Robots@CNE Off-Season Event and visited TDSB teams, like FRC 5719 - Pink Titans, 865 - WARP7, and 1310 - Runnymede Robotics. Thank you Ms. Pint, the Pink Titans was able to participate in the 2018 FRC season with much thanks to your help!

Pink Titans Compete and Reach Out at Robots@CNE Off-Season Event

8/19/2018

From Aug. 17 to 19, 2018, the Pink Titans competed with 18 other Ontario FRC teams at the Inaugural Robots@CNE off-season event at the Enercare Centre, located on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Ontario. The Pink Titans and other FRC teams reached out to attendees, among the 30,000 daily visitors to the CNE, who visited the Pits and watched 85+ FRC matches over three days! It was also really great to see and hear from Libby Kamen Drost, one of the emcees - personality on Twitch and FIRST Updates Now, plus FIRST mentor of FRC 1923 - MidKnight Inventors and Robotics Advisor in West-Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District in New Jersey, USA.

For members of the Pink Titans, participation at Robots@CNE was a great experience. The robot, named Pinkie Pie, was able to score on the scale, as demonstrated in the past, in earlier matches. Unfortunately, the front in-take wheels become badly damaged during the competition. As a result, the robot's ability to in-take power cubes decreased. Without replacement in-take wheels, the team was able to utilize duct tape and surgical tubing(!) to repair the wheels with enough friction to resume in-taking power cubes for the final few matches.

The event helped to introduced two new student members to the team. Cole Cyr, the Drive Coach of FRC 4946 - Alpha Dogs, was the Drive Coach on Aug. 17, helping the new drive team. As well, two new mentors were introduced to their first FRC event. Additionally, two FRC mentors participated for the first time as members of the Pink Titans at Robots@CNE. Asha of FRC 865 - WARP7 helped out in a huge was on the last day by driving the robot.

The team finished the event with in 17th place with a record of 5 and 17. The team was grateful to be the third pick as part of Alliance Four with Captain FRC 1310 - Runnymede Robotics, 4618 - Newman Robotics, and 4039 - MakeShift Robotics. The alliance lost in the semi-finals to the eventual finalists, Alliance One.

Thank you hosts FRC 1334 - Red Devils and 1374 - Amped Up! and FIRST Robotics Canada for the great opportunity!

TY @FRC1334 @1374Robotics @CANFIRST for oppty to help introd families, new fans, new members to FIRST at Robots@CNE. TY vols for passions in providing great exp. Congrats to all participants, partners at #CNEInnovation Garage on successes and igniting curiosities in STEM/STEAM. pic.twitter.com/Tf71Kgsl3d
— Pink Titans (@frc5719) August 22, 2018

Pink Titans Thanks MJL Electronics and Computers for Gracious Sponsorship in 2018

8/18/2018

On Aug. 18, 2018, the Pink Titans had the opportunity to thank Mr. Lachance, Director of MJL Electronics and Computers, for the gracious sponsorship of the team in 2018. Mr. Lachance attended the Robots@CNE Off-Season Event and helped the team as a technical mentor. Thank you Mr. Lachance and MJL Electronics and Computers, the team was successful in 2018 with much thanks to your help!

Pink Titans Reach Out at Heart 2 Soul Community Festival

7/28/2018

On July 28, 2018, the Pink Titans showcased Pinkie Pie, the 2018 FRC robot, at the Heart 2 Soul Community Festival at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School. The festival for families was created by Judith in 2017 to showcase the positive imapcts of youth in the community at the northwest end of Toronto. Although arts, music, and sports were the foci at the event, the Pink Titans promoted excitement and interest in the STEM culture. Members of the Pink Titans introduced many members in the community to the FIRST Robotics program. Young children and young adults test-drove and controlled the robot. Thank you Judith and the Heart 2 Soul Festival organizers for the opportunity!

TY Judith & @Heart2SoulFest vols for passions in organizing event for inspiration & recognition of youth. TY for oppty to join in celebration and collaboration of community, plus ignite curiosity in STEM at Heart 2 Soul Community Festival at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic HS. pic.twitter.com/jTAKm0fuJY
— Pink Titans (@frc5719) August 2, 2018