TDT members went to work Saturday sharing prototypes and sketches, and discussing ideas for the new season build.  With an all-new team, most fresh to the FIRST experience, just getting started is a big challenge.  But team members gamely jumped in, seriously considering one another’s ideas and weighing in with some thoughtful insights.

TDT founding member, Chris Willingham, now a team mentor, introduced the group to CAD basics, and we learned we’re a few parts short of a basic build, so we’ve got some things on order.  Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a basic drive train underway at our next meeting, before we head out to visit the nearby Backyard Workshop, to learn about some cool machines and tools and see some CNC work underway for sponsor Learning is for Everyone’s TEDxYouth@TampaBay event.

Some team members will also be joining in the local Societyof Manufacturing Engineers group tour of the SS American Victorythis week.  We’re looking forward to

Barack and George, demonstrating Gracious Professionalism!

reconnecting with the SME, whose long time academic and fiscal support of Team Duct Tape is deeply appreciated!

We also enjoyed having Barack and George, a visiting pair of tan and white sibling poodles, at our meeting. They set the gold standard for Gracious Professionalism in a way we can only hope the parties of their namesakes can rise to achieve.  And they were pretty good role models for us, too!