Helpful apps and websites

 Here is a list of some helpful websites and apps

For Mac and Android:

• lucidchart - Helpful for drawing diagrams, flowcharts, family trees
• draw.io now diagrams.net - Helpful for drawing diagrams, flowcharts, family trees
• google drawings - access this through Google Docs and go to “insert > drawing"

Mac

• skitch - helpful for marking up screenshots

I’ll add items as I find them.

FIRST Robotics

 I am volunteering again to help with a FIRST Robotics team. 

This time I’m volunteering as a mentor for American Christian School. This is the same school I teach technology to K through 6th grades once a week. The robotics team is for the high school students and is located at another school building.

Important: I hope to update this blog post as more information becomes available.

First Year Challenges

Because this is the first year for this team, it’s a challenge to figure out where to start and how to plan steps.

Because it’s been difficult to figure out the steps and plan a path, I decided to record some of the steps here so hopefully it will help other people who are new to this program like our team is. 

I’ll cover some of the following points in sections below:

1. Understanding how the program works
2. Reading about the FIRST robotics challenge
3. Steps to assembling the Robot and getting it working
4. Links to information about how our team is doing

1. Understanding how the program works
This page has information giving an oveview of the program.

• Basically a team needs to be formed: application needs to be filed, coach(es), Mentor(s) and students need to be identified and registered.
• Then, on a “reveal” day in January, the challenge for the year is unveiled via online video.
• The teams then start work on assembling the robot (mechanical, electronics, software), adding any customizations, practicing and making adjustments. 
• Then, in March the competitions occur.

2. Reading about the FIRST robotics challenge

Use the link above to explore information about the costs, video animations of the challenge, schedule and more.

1. Scroll way down to expand the "kickoff kit" on the following page. These documents are helpful and important to check that all the parts the team should have are all received. https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/kit-of-parts
1. Virtual Kit - Lists various parts that can be ordered along with credits/vouchers and a file with a checklist if the vouchers are exercised by the team
2. Kickoff Kit
1. Season specific Box Checklists
2. Black Tote Checklist
3. Drive base checklist
4. Grey tote checklist
5. Kit bot
1. link to https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/kitbot
2. link to the kickoff info: https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/game-and-season#kickoff
3. There are also links to Drive base optout and Black tote optout
4. There is a link to Missing or damaged kickoff kit items
3. First Choice
1. Link to Andymark for optional parts available to teams to use their credits given to all teams
2. The following page mentions the items that need to be purchased that ARE NOT in the kit.  This following page also links to an updated list of tools needed and suggested.  Important note: this following page also stresses the suggestion to buy a 3D printer for future competitions.  https://community.firstinspires.org/2025-kitbot-shopping-list-for-2026
3. This page seems to be a starting point https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/season-materials?view=calendar and links to the following pages
1. Kit of Parts https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/kit-of-parts - has links to the following
1. Additional game specific assets
1. Kit of Parts: https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/kit-of-parts
1. Virtual kit
2. Kickoff kit - this has the Parts lists for the boxes in the kit and links to the following too
1. This page https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/kitbot explains the parts of the mechanical and electrical build and has software information. It links to the following among others:
1. This document has links to the various assemblies and focuses on the 2026 mechanism for collecting and tossing “FUEL” (actually FUEL is a ball made of plastic). https://firstfrc.blob.core.windows.net/frc2026/KitBot/2026-kitbot-build-instructions.pdf
2. Page with "CAD, Drawings and software" (see box with this label on the kitbot page above)
3. “Additional Resources”
1. This page has a link to the manu for the robot base unit list of parts and assumbly instructions: https://s3.amazonaws.com/docusync-files/ba4541200a971b9831639ab2d15fd7976e32a7bc67ccb858a5261d40d9ac33e3/am-14U6%20UserGuide%20Jan%2010%202026.pdf
2. Playing field details
3. Kitbot details
2. Team updates
3. Q&A system
4. Translations

Assembly information and Videos

Drive Base information:

https://andymark.com/collections/drive-systems-bases-chassis/products/am14u6-6-wheel-drop-center-robot-drive-base-2025-frc-kit-of-parts-drive-base

Manual:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/docusync-files/ba4541200a971b9831639ab2d15fd7976e32a7bc67ccb858a5261d40d9ac33e3/am-14U6%20UserGuide%20Jan%2010%202026.pdf

Note: there is a section on the drive base page speaking about encoders (to detect the position/turns of the drive mechanism). It reads as follows:

The AM14U6 does not include encoders. The included Toughbox Mini S Gearboxes ship with an output shaft that has holes in the ends for optional included 1/4 in. diameter steel dowels (am-1323) that are compatible with the US Digital E4T Encoder (am-3132) and the REV Through Bore Encoder (am-4650). Teams also have the option of purchasing a magnetic dowel (am-3505) to replace the steel dowel allowing the use of the SRX Magnetic Encoder (am-3445). In order to use this encoder on the Toughbox Mini S, our SRX Magnetic Encoder Mounting Hardware Kit (am-3565) must also be used to mount each encoder.

FIRST AM14U6 assembly video from AndyMark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn--TDs5lt4

FIRST Video for Fuel Mechanism and Intake base

This video "2026 FIRST Robotics Competition KitBot Build” has information for the 2026 Kitbot. It does not show how to build the AM14U drivetrain chasis built in square configuration. It includes a video of the function of the kitbot, the parts included and 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3it7-qxCkg

:20 video of how the kitbot functions

1:20 materials given in black tote

2:47 the list of additional materials needed is listed

They mention that bumper build requires additional materials and to consult (see section 7) https://www.firstinspires.org/kitbot

3:55 how to cut the polycarbonate

5;20 Fuel Mechanism build

7:20 Laucher Hood

8:40 attach motors

12:40 mounting the radio

13:15 intake base

14:40 noodle cut (note: may need replacement during the season)

15:27 Chasis mods

15:55 Battery mount install on chasis

16:28 removal of front wheels to mount the intake baseplate

suggest to build electronics panel and electronics wiring according to section 8 of the kitbot instructions

3. Steps to assembling the Robot and getting it working

Our team had a difficult time figuring out how to find the steps to get started. It may exist, but we were not able to easily find a roadmap that is already laid out to provide the steps. Here’s some rough ones that we found. I might update this as we find more information.

1. Check to make sure all parts were received (compare the physical parts to the parts lists)
2. Decide teams to form
1. Mechanical building
2. Electronics
3. Software Programming  
3. Plan meetings to do build
4. Find materials that need to be ordered and order them
5. Start building with various teams. The following items could be worked on in parallel or series depending on team menbers
1. Kitbot base https://andymark.com/collections/drive-systems-bases-chassis/products/am14u6-6-wheel-drop-center-robot-drive-base-2025-frc-kit-of-parts-drive-base (note: there are links to video and documentation there)
2. Kitbot season specific mechanics
3. Kitbot electronics
4. Kitbot software loading and programming
5. Ordering additional parts needed
6. Using team points to order from Andymark
7. Using the vouchers to order from the various suppliers

Videos

Penn State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5wbIg3lqTk

How to Learn Python Programming for FREE!

Here are free websites for learning the python computer programming language.

• https://www.python.org/about/gettingstarted/
• https://www.w3schools.com/python/
• https://developers.google.com/edu/python/
• https://futurecoder.io/ - Learn by doing in this 
• https://www.learnpython.org/
• https://www.codecademy.com/pages/learn-python-with-pro
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfscVS0vtbw - Learn Python - Full Course for Beginners [Tutorial] (Freecodecamp)

 

GenAi resources

 Here are some GenAi resources:

Image Generators

• https://www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/ - Canva
• https://perchance.org/ai-text-to-image-generator - no sign-in required
• https://musely.ai/tools/ai-image-generator-no-sign-up - no sign-in required, generates a prompt that then is copied into canvas.ai to generate the image
• LTX studio - requires google or email account. https://ltx.studio/platform/ai-image-generator
• midjourney on discord (requires account) https://discord.com/invite/midjourney
• Google labs (flow generator, moving archive, etc.) https://labs.google/

See also this post:

https://henrywill4.blogspot.com/2021/03/machine-learning-and-ai-for-you-to-learn.html

Coloring pages and other activities for children

 Coloring pages and other activities for children 

I’ll add more here as I find them

• https://www.steviedoodles.com/best-christian-coloring-pages - These are quite intracate with lots of faith based words and sayings. Some are simple too.
• https://creativecolorlab.com/bible-verse-coloring-pages/ - these are good for small children all the way to adults. 
• https://sundayschoolzone.com/resource-type/coloring/page/5/
• Lots of options: https://ministry-to-children.com/bible-coloring-pages/
• Simple to medium complexity https://www.coloringpages.net/
• https://ministryspark.com/52-bible-coloring-pages/
• In groups of pages to download https://kids-bible-lessons.org/bible-coloring-pages/
• Mostly simple to complex https://coloringus.com/bible-coloring-pages
• Some simple, some complex, some with scriptures https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/bible-coloring-pages.html
• Complex pictures: https://worldofprintables.com/bible-coloring-pages/
• Simple to complex https://encouragingbibleverses.org/bible-coloring-pages/
• 
  

Prayer Resources

 You’ll find prayer in the name of Jesus to be so powerful.

I’ve assembled some prayer resources here and will add to this list as I find out about more.

Websites with prayers that can be prayed for children and grandchildren:

Moms in prayer pages of prayers from scripture. Fill in the blanks with names of children or grandchildren (scroll down to “prayer sheets”) https://momsinprayer.org/group-leaders/ 

Prayer pages to pray for others, children and grandchildren: https://christiangrandparenting.com/free-resources/

books on prayer:

https://jamesbanks.org/

Education resources

 Here are education resources I’ve been made aware of:

Note: most schools will post their education criteria for each grade/class. Look for the organizations website and then look for curricula or curriculum.  Guidelines and assessment information may also be listed.

• Questioning techniques https://www.changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/questioning.htm
• Kathy Schrock was in my high school class and is well known for the education technology information she shares: 
• main page: https://www.kathyschrock.net/
• Guide to everything https://www.schrockguide.net/
• Writings of note: https://www.kathyschrock.net/writings.html
• Blog: https://www.kathyschrock.net/kaffeeklatsch
• Rubrics: https://web.archive.org/web/20120305135122/http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/rub.mmproj.htm
• Classroom management: 
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/classroom-management/
• 
  
• teacher resources:
• https://www.nwea.org/teacher-hub/
• 
  
• https://www.mrsphillipsn5th.com/ - Brittany Phillips has freebies, classroom management and other helps as well as a YouTube channel and teachers pay teachers link.
• Free technology lesson plans and resources
• Free instructional technology unit plans on TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse/teacher-tools/unit-plans/science/instructional-technology/free?gad_campaignid=21086793759&wbraid=ClQKCQjw-4XFBhD6ARJDAIop34QYUS4MD1qKIjiqGGUslLQUqexHvYw0y4lO1WfdH_adRzsP-9uAA7qMd6RHxCSwJKX5Smb_8_fSUFVu7km2QRoCzvM
•  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse/teacher-tools/unit-plans/science/instructional-technology/free

Example tech curriculum 

• 
  
• https://www.erintegration.com/2020/01/20/technology-curriculum-guides-for-k-12-roundup/
• 
  
• https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/technology-and-media/preschoolers-and-kindergartners
• 
  
• https://www.rocktwp.net/page/district-curricula
• 
  
• https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/814342/0K-5_Computer_Literacy.pdf
• 
  
• https://www.btrvs.org/page/curriculum-maps/
• 
  
• https://www.btrvs.org/documents/curriculum/curriculum-maps/715260
• 
  
• https://www.erintegration.com/2020/01/20/technology-curriculum-guides-for-k-12-roundup/
• 
  
• https://www.teachengineering.org/
• 
  
• https://freedomhomeschooling.com/technology/
• 
  

I’ll add more as I can