things every frc team should know glenn lee – team 359 – the hawaiian kids collin fultz – frc...
TRANSCRIPT
Things Every FRC Team Should Know
Glenn Lee – Team 359 – The Hawaiian KidsCollin Fultz – FRC Team Advocate
FIRST is not just for Technology Enthusiasts…
• Variety of skills are needed– Marketing– Business– Team Spirit– Technology
• FIRST Promotes Inclusion– Opportunities for hands-on STEM learning for non-traditional or
underserved populations
FRC Calendar Year
• FRC Calendar:• Pre-Season• Kickoff (first Saturday in January)• Build Season (6 weeks)• Week Zero Events• Stop Build Day• Competition Season (7 weeks)• Championship (April)• Off Season (mid-May to mid-November)
It’s Going To Take Time (a whole lot of precious time)
• Average Mentor Volunteer Hours/ Week• In Season (Kickoff to Championship)
• 4-7 Hours: 5%• 12-19 Hours: 25%• 30+ Hours: 28%
• Off Season• 4-7 Hours: 31%• 12-19 Hours: 10%• 30+ Hours: 4%
• Tips to Avoid Burnout• Take breaks• Don’t completely abandon your non-FIRST friends and family• Get others involved to share the load and maintain energy
It’s Going To Take Money (a whole lot of spending money)
• Registration Fee • Regionals vs. Districts
• Other Costs• Robot Parts (including spares)• Construction Materials (for robot and practice field)• Tools/Equipment• Team Uniforms/Mascot• Travel to Events• Outreach Activities• Unexpected Costs (be prepared!)
How Much Spending Money?
Example Budget from Team 2470 (The Blitz Team), posted to the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit
NOTE: Team Budgets vary widely•Range: $6,000 to $100,000+•Most Common: $10,000-$20,000 (28%)
Where to Find Resources & Support
• Know what you Need• Develop a Budget & Business Plan• Examples in the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit
• It’s Difficult to Meet Needs Through Fundraising Alone• Seek out partnerships and other long-term resources• Apply for grants
• Seek In-Kind Donations, Not Just Cash• Ask for donations of service/equipment- from equipment rental to pizza
• Find Local Resources• Meet with parents and mentors to develop a list of possible sponsors/partnerships
• Grants• NASA Grants• Rookie Grants
It’s Going To Take Mentors (to give their patience and time)
• Mentors and Parents are the Backbone of your Team• Where to Look:
• Schools• Colleges• Sponsors• Parents• Alumni
• What to Look For:• Skills your team needs (technical and non-technical)• Redundancy is good
What Kinds of Mentors?
From the Business Plan of Team 1625 (Winnovation), posted to the FIRST Fundraising Toolkit
Be Organized
• Run your Team like a Business
• Peer Mentorship• Provide leadership opportunities for experienced members• Train new mentors (ensure knowledge/experience stays with
the team)
Team Organizational Chart
FRC Team 359
Robot Construction
Robotics Support
RoboticsDocumentation
Robotics Administration
Robotics Outreach
Robotics AdministrationCoordination
PlanningFinances
FundraisingClass Setup
ScheduleTeam meetingsPurchase Orders
Team TravelGrant & Financial Support
Robot ConstructionROBOT CONSTRUCTION
Rules of CompetitionKick-Off Meeting
ROBOT ASSEMBLY & COMPETITION
TEAMAutodesk Inventor, SolidWorks,
AutoCADOperational Prototype
Final RobotControls Fabrication
Spare PartsPit Crew
Driver SelectionTacticianScouting
ROBOT SUPPORTField & Goal Fabrication
Crate ModificationCart Modification
Control FabricationFabrication Training
Field SetupSafety Captain
Rules Person: Student Team Captain
Control Systems
Robot Programming
Autonomous ModeElectrical
PneumaticsControls Layout
Driver Station
Work FlowWeek
1
2
3
4
5
6
Robot Assembly Tasks
• Prototyping, Drive/Chassis Fabrication & Subsystem Design
• Subsystem Fabrication & Drive/Chassis Assembly
• Drive/Chassis Testing & Subsystem Bench Testing
• Driver Practice
• Subsystem Integration & Final Assembly
• Driver Practice
• Final Testing• Driver Practice
Robot Support Tasks
• Fabricate Field, Goals, Etc.
• Complete Field & Start Fabrication Training, if any
• Build/Update Control (wood) & Cart
• Build/Fix CrateDead Time
• Game & Parts Overview• State the Challenge• Brainstorming• Select Robot Design Parameters• Define Human Player & Other Team
Functions
Fabrication Training Tasks
• Mill, Lathe, Cut-Off Saw, Band Saw, etc. Familiarization
• Continue As Time Permits
• Robot Parts & Continue As Time Permits
• Robot & Spare Parts Fabrication
• Spare Parts Fabrication
Robotics SupportRobotics Regional Support
Team UniformsTeam Agenda & Booklet
Team Schedule & ActivitiesSpirit items-Buttons, Pencils, Magnets,
CalculatorsBanners
Collection of Payments/Dues-AdmissionsMeals
Raffles and TriviaRobotics 6-week meal schedule
SnacksLunch
Supervision support
Robotics SupportCoordination
Planning
Team Documentation
Team Web Page, Animation Video, Team Video Documentary
Web page design-Adobe, Animation Tutorials
Team Roster and OrganizationVideo TutorialsTeam Updates
Photos, Instagram, Twitter, FaceBookEvidence of Student Learning
Post-Secondary Plans
Competition Awards, Mentor/Student Awards, Pit Crew Manual,
Engineering Design Manual, Safety Manual, Business Plan,Annual Team Documentation
Supporting documentsMedia, newspaper, Interviews
Team DocumentationDigital Media ProductionMultimedia Presentations
Facilities ToursSTEM Outreach Events
Community Recognition & Outreach
• Participate in Community Events- as much as possible!• Join local parades and other activities • Set up a display at your local library, sporting events, etc.• Press releases to local media
• Show Off Awards & Trophies• Display in school/organization trophy case• Post to social media
• Reach out to Alumni
TEAM 359 COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Maintaining robotics in Hawaii & the Hawaii FRC Regional:●Hawaii Robotics Planning Committee●Waialua STEM Learning CenterPromoting STEM in Hawaii:●Working with Governor Lingle to promote STEM & FIRST in Hawaii●Robot demonstrations at engineering events:Ex: Engineering Week (Kahala Mall)
Other Teams-Uses of facilities, materials and equipment-Access to mentors-SharingideasSupport Feeder Oranizations-Through funding & coordinationSTEM Workshops-Sustainability-Grant Writing-Business Plan
Sponsorship of School- oriented Projects & clubs:●Blood Drive ●Christmas Parade• Community Service:●Beach Clean-up●Annual Robotics Open House•Dole Robotics Fundraiser Luau
Don’t Know Where To Start?
– Reach out to:• Regional Director
• FIRST Senior Mentor
• VISTA
• Other FRC Teams
• FRC Team Support– 603-666-3906, x0– [email protected]
Other Resources
– Progression of Programs (Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC)– Chief Delphi – FRC Resources:
• Kit of Parts (www.usfirst.org/frc/kitofparts)
• Technical (www.usfirst.org/frc/technicalresources)
• General (http://www.usfirst.org/frc/resources)
• Look for changes to the FRC website to make these easier to find
Thank You for Watching!
Next Behind the Lines Episode:
2015 Control System IntroductionWednesday, October 15th
8:00 PM (ET)Experts:
Representatives from the Control System Design Team
This episode will be followed up with another discussion featuring Beta Test Teams