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FTC Into the Deep Nationals

Β· One min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

No longer qualified as an 'engineer' after my first FTC , guess I'll have to stick with 'Software Engineer' from now on. πŸ˜…

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Volunteering at the FTC Nationals today Macquarie University was both inspiring and humbling. I walked in feeling confident in my skills and walked out realizing the FTC teams operate on an entirely different level. πŸ§ πŸ’»

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My job today? Keeping the two practice fields in order. 🏟️ And hey, looks like I did an okay job at that! βœ… Meanwhile, the FTC teams were out there pushing the boundaries of what I thought was possible. Watching them work was like seeing a masterclass in precision, creativity, and pure technical brilliance.

A huge congratulations to the winning teams! πŸ† And a big shoutout to all the volunteers who made the day run smoothly - it's not just a competition; it's a community effort. Special kudos to Will & Daniela for their amazing work! πŸ‘

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LEGO & AI talk at DDD Brisbane 2024

Β· 2 min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

4am wakeup and 7am flight - totally worth it for an wonderful day at DDD Brisbane last Saturday! I'm so flattered and grateful that so many people joined me for my talk about LEGO AI and FLL.

Thank you for agreeing that I earned the cape in the end! πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ Appreciate the interest and great chats afterward, Andrei and Gerald.

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The only downside? Wishing I could clone myself to attend every talk! Huge shoutout to Joel (I did not tag you on social), Michelle (it is not luck but hard work from the girls!), Jason (C# & .Net will always be my favorite), Bryden & Luke (cool hats & photos!), Julian (I wrote RSA at uni as assignments) for your insightful talks - I walked away with new ideas and inspiration!

And of course, it was so lovely to catch up with new & old friends like Fabrizio, and Insight teammates. DDD events are as much about the community as they are about the content. To top it all off, look what I found at the airport on my way back to Sydney: a life-sized LEGO Captain! (last photo)

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Thanks again, DDD Brisbane (especially Chris & Bronwen), for such a rewarding and enriching experience.

Will DDD Sydney come back one day? I will definitely sign up for volunteering!

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Microsoft MVP Award

Β· 2 min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

πŸŽ‰ I've been accepted into the Microsoft MVP Program (Azure AI Services)! Yes, I'm as surprised as you are! 😊

Here's what happened: when I joined Insight, Saadullah said to me, "You've got to keep an eye on Simon, he's doing amazing work in the community." So, I did! Like many MVPs, he's basically a walking RSS feed for user groups, conferences, and tech meetups. One day, on a whim, I submitted a talk and told him, "Hey, I did it, now that?" πŸ™ƒ He replied: "well, the chance to get in is pretty slim but don't give up, keep trying."

That small nudge set everything in motion.πŸ’₯ After a few goes, I got my first public tech talk, things just started flowing – more events, more opportunities, and deeper involvement with tech and school community. The past six months have been incredibly intense. Just last week, I attended five events in ten days - early bird and red-eye flights to get there (a personal record for me πŸ˜…!). It's been a whirlwind of incredible experiences and unforgettable moments.

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To anyone thinking about starting your community journey – take that first step. You never know where it might lead.

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2x Awards from FFL Sumerged Season National !

Β· 2 min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

'Motivate Award' πŸ† & 'Robot Performance Award' πŸ† for Team Cleverbots from FLL National East! The girls have made history for the school by getting not one, but two prestigious awards on the national stage (out of 48 top teams from NSW and QLD)! πŸŽ‰

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"A team of all girls always endeavor, to charm and inspire, and to be also clever! Congratulation goes to the CLEVERBOTS!!" πŸ‘ - the judges said about the team in the award ceremony. The innovative project & core value presentation with customized t-shirt, headband, name tags, text badges, and AI badges, clearly made an impression, earning high praise from the judges. πŸ™Œ

After three months of relentless hard work, the team scored outstanding 395 points in their first Robot Game run πŸ€–. Cleverbots not only had an incredible day but also secured the 3rd highest score on the East Coast πŸ₯³ (Nationals North, East, South) - Perth's event is next week.

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As their volunteer coach for the past two years, I couldn't be prouder of these amazing future engineers and innovators. Watching them grow, collaborate, and achieve greatness has been nothing short of inspiring. πŸ’–

Can't wait to see all the incredible things they will accomplish in the years to come. πŸš€

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GitHub Copilot Workshop with Perpetual

Β· One min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

On a scorching Sydney day, we turned up the excitement even more with our GitHub Copilot Excitement Day! πŸŽ‰ The room at Perpetual Limited was packed with energy as developers, data engineers, and DevOps teams came together to explore how GitHub Copilot is shaking up the way we work.

We led a hands-on session demonstrating how Copilot can streamline coding and enhance efficiency. The day sparked vibrant discussions on fostering creativity and collaboration across teams. We also shared real-life examples of how Copilot is already helping us tackle challenges and achieve impactful results. πŸš€

A massive shoutout to everyone who made the day unforgettable, especially Jan and Ross for organizing the session! Great to see Insight teammate Alpesh and Praveen in the room too!

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Countdown to FFL Submerged Nationals - Gearing Up for the Ultimate Challenge!

Β· 3 min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

With just two weeks to go until the FLL Submerged Nationals, excitement is building as 48 of the top teams from across NSW and ACT prepare to gather. The atmosphere is electric as we look forward to meeting all the incredible teams, exchanging ideas, and marveling at the creativity displayed in their innovation projects.

Sharpening Our Innovation Project​

Our team has been hard at work improving every aspect of our innovation project. The spotlight is currently on our rover design, which we're reworking in Fusion 360 (no more TinkerCad). This powerful engineering software has allowed us to refine our 3D model with precision, resulting in a sleek and functional design that's as impressive as it is innovative. Watching the project come to life through our 3D printer has been a thrill.

Previously, printing the model required multiple smaller components, but now we've optimized the process to print the entire rover in one go! This is no small featβ€”it's been tricky to ensure every component is accurate, steady, and durable. Despite the challenges, we're getting closer to perfection with every iteration.

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Inno Project 3D Print

Raising the Bar in the Robot Game​

On the robot game front, the stakes have never been higher. After scoring a solid 345 points at regionals, we were feeling confidentβ€”until another team surpassed our score. This healthy competition has lit a fire under us, pushing everyone to bring their A-game.

Our team's mantra? Keep improving. Today's practice session was a testament to that commitment: we racked up an impressive 465 points! Through tireless tweaking of robot designs, refining our attachments, and honing strategies, we're discovering new ways to push boundaries and maximize efficiency.

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Preparation for Nationals has truly been a team effort. Whether it's reworking the rover design, troubleshooting the 3D printer, or diving into the robot game's mechanics, every member has been playing a crucial role. Even I've had to hit the books, ensuring I can answer any questions and offer the support our team needs.

With just two weeks left, our focus remains sharp. There's no doubt the competition will be fierce, but we're ready to rise to the challenge. Nationals isn't just about the scores; it's about the journey, the learning, and the camaraderie that comes from working together toward a shared goal.

Checkout the badges we have made. The AI badges are created by Bing Copilot & Dall-e, looks pretty awesome! Bet it is going to be a hit during the nationals.

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We can't wait to meet the other teams, see their incredible projects, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Let's bring our best and make these Nationals truly unforgettable! πŸš€

GitHub Copilot Certified

Β· One min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

Badge unlocked: GitHub Copilot Certification secured! 😎 Let's code smarter, not harder! πŸ’»

This isn't just another shiny badge - it's proof of the skills in wielding AI-driven code completion like a pro. From streamlining boilerplate code to cracking complex algorithms, GitHubCopilot has been my best sidekick, and now it's official: I know how to make it work its magic! More about certification here : https://resources.github.com/learn/certifications/

And guess what? GPT-4o just appeared in the latest extension update in VS Code, with previews of Claude 3.5, o1, and o1-Mini. The AI ecosystem just keeps getting cooler, and I'm in for it! πŸ’»βœ¨

Want to learn more about the certification? Check it out my post: https://blog.insight-services-apac.dev/2024/10/09/github-copilot-cert

AI + Code = The ultimate power couple.πŸ”₯ Let's keep riding this wave!

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GitHub Copilot Workshop with ME Bank in Melbourne

Β· One min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

'Grab a GitHub T-shirt πŸ‘• before they're all gone!' At ME Bank, this has turned out to be my favorite opening line for our GitHub Copilot excitement day!

My amazing Insight teammate, Rakesh, and I had the pleasure of hosting another engaging session with the ME Bank / BOQ Group in Melbourne. 🌟 Fantastic job, Rakesh and Ahmed, on successfully running three sessions this week!

The enthusiasm in the room was fantastic! Everyone was eager to explore what Copilot can bring to our day-to-day workflows. From automating repetitive coding tasks to boosting productivity, the possibilities are truly exciting!

Thank you to all the participants for your curiosity and energy, especially Thien. We can't wait to see how you leverage Copilot in your projects! πŸ’»βœ¨

Now, time to catch my third flight of the day and head home! πŸ›«

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Azure AI App in a Day at Microsoft Wellington

Β· One min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

Incredible Microsoft AI AppinaDay Workshop in Wellington, my first time to the lovely city!

It's fantastic to see so much enthusiasm in the room as we dive into the capabilities of Azure AI services. The questions and engagement from everyone attending are truly impressive. Really great running the session with my Insight teammates Ross and Ajay!

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Cleverbots Off to Nationals with Two Awards

Β· 3 min read
Daniel Fang
AI, Robotics & LEGO Enthusiast

We're thrilled to share that Team Cleverbots truly shined at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional competition for the Submerged season, held at Macquarie University! Competing among 30 incredibly talented teams, our young innovators secured two major awards: the Robot Performance Award for the top score and the Robot Design Award. Yes, we're headed to nationals again! πŸŽ‰πŸ†πŸ†

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LEGO, AI, and the Future of Learning​

One of the highlights of our journey this season was how the team approached and embraced artificial intelligence (AI). In our judging session, the Cleverbots were asked, "How do you use AI in your project and coding?" The response from our team members was insightful beyond their years:

"We don't copy from it. We use AI to explain coding questions. We understand its limitations like bias. We've learned prompt engineering."

These answers reflected not just technical skills but critical thinking and a mature understanding of AI's capabilities and constraints. They're not only mastering robotics but also developing a responsible and thoughtful approach to technologyβ€”skills that will serve them well in the future. 🌟

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The Electric Energy of FLL Competitions​

Walking into an FLL event is like stepping into a whirlwind of creativity and excitement. The energy is contagious, with kids buzzing with ideas and eager to share their robotic creations. It's a sight to see young minds working tirelessly to solve complex challenges, and every volunteer, judge, and referee plays a pivotal role in making these events memorable. Special thanks to Melinda and Fredrikβ€”your dedication means the world to these budding engineers!

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A Tribute to Jack: A Mentor for Generations​

No FLL event would be complete without a nod to Jack, a true hero and inspiration for so many young participants. For 15 years, Jack has been guiding and inspiring teams with the same enthusiasm and kindness. Our coach Bianca, a former FLL student herself, captured the sentiment perfectly: "Jack hasn't changed!" Thank you, Jack, for your invaluable contributions to this community and for being a role model to so many kids.

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Onward to Nationals!​

With their trophies in hand and heads held high, the Cleverbots are ready to bring their best to the national stage. We couldn't be prouder of their achievements and can't wait to see what they accomplish next.

To all the teams, volunteers, and mentors: thank you for making this journey unforgettable. Here's to the amazing power of teamwork, innovation, and the enduring magic of LEGO and learning! πŸš€

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