FIRST Rookie Workshop Presented by Nancy McIntyre FIRST Senior Mentor Chair FIRST Los Angeles Region

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FIRSTRookie Workshop Presented by Nancy
McIntyreFIRST Senior MentorChair FIRST Los
Angeles Regional Organizing Committee
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• Welcome Introduction
• FIRST background and mission
• Starting a Team
• Foundation for a sustainable team and successful
  program
• School support
• Teachers need to be involved
• The more departments the better (math, computer,
  science, art, shop, etc.)
• Teachers students need support of the
  administration district
• Financial support (should get some budget)
• Many teams eventually get a class started within
  the school
• Sponsor Support
• Apply for corporate and foundation grants
• Recruit local / community sponsors (small
  businesses)
• Student / team fundraisers
• Engineer / Mentor / Technical Support
• Recruit engineers to join the team
• Can be from sponsors or just volunteers
• Recruit a machine shop and/or machinists
• In-kind support of machine shop is as good as gold

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What is FIRST?

• For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
  Technology.
• Founded by Inventor Dean Kamen 16 years ago to
  encourage more students to pursue careers in
  engineering and technology.
• Providing an athletic type event where students
  work with mentor engineers, teachers, parents,
  local community members, and the government.

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Problem Solving

• 6 Weeks- Only 42 days.
• Budget- There is a limit on the amount of money
  that each team can spend on their robot.
• Team work Many facets to the program

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Work Force Development

• Mentorship
• Creation of Life Long Learners
• The Importance of Math
• CAD
• Working with tools
• Team Work
• Strategy Development
• Gracious Professionalism
• Scholarships

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• The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting,
  multinational competition that teams
  professionals and young people to solve an
  engineering design problem in an intense and
  competitive way. The program is a life-changing,
  career-molding experienceand a lot of fun. In
  2006, the competition will reach over 28,000
  high-school-aged young people on over 1,125 teams
  in 33 regional events. Our teams came from
  Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, Mexico, the
  U.K., and almost every U.S. state. The
  competitions are high-tech spectator sporting
  events, the result of lots of focused
  brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated
  mentoring, project timelines, and deadlines.
  www.usfirst.org
• Scholarship Opportunities
• One of the highlights of the FIRST Robotics
  Competition season is when a student is awarded a
  FIRST scholarship. This is an official
  recognition of the knowledge, technical and life
  skills they have gained from participating in the
  FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST Scholarships
  enable students to pursue majors and careers in
  engineering, computer science, electronics,
  animation, digital design, aeronautics and many
  other technological fields. http//www.usfirst.org
  /robotics/scholsh.htm
• Be a Team Mentor
• FIRST engages thousands of adult Team Mentors
  volunteering with youth ages 9-18. Team Mentors
  work side-by-side with youth on FIRST teams to
  build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills
  while motivating young people to pursue
  opportunities in science, technology and
  engineering. Team Mentors have a variety of
  backgrounds, but all share in the FIRST
  commitment to inspiring in young people, their
  schools and communities an appreciation of
  science and technology, and how mastering these
  can enrich the lives of all.
  http//www.usfirst.org/4vol/
• The FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC) is a mid-level
  robotics competition targeted toward high-school
  aged students. It offers the traditional
  challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more
  accessible and affordable robotics kit. The
  ultimate goal of FVC is to reach more young
  people with a lower-cost, more accessible
  opportunity to discover the excitement and
  rewards of science, technology, and engineering.
• For the 2006 Season, the FIRST Vex Challenge is
  adopting a tournament structure throughout the
  United States, Canada, and Mexico. FVC Partners
  have been established throughout many states and
  provinces, and are now working to promote the
  FIRST Vex Challenge in their areas. The Kickoff
  for the 2008 Season will appear on this website
  in September 2007.
• http//www.usfirst.org/vex/ www.vexlabs.c
  om
• The FIRST LEGO League (FLL), considered the
  "little league" of the FIRST Robotics
  Competition, is the result of a partnership
  between FIRST and the LEGO Group. FLL extends the
  FIRST concept of inspiring and celebrating
  science and technology to children aged 9 through
  14, using real-world context and hands-on
  experimentation. http//www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/fl
  ego.htm
• For additional information you may also contact
• Nancy McIntyre, FIRST Senior Mentor, Chair of
  FIRST Regional Organizing Committee at
  nmcintyre_at_usfirst.org 818 -347- 8300

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Changing American Culture

• Teams work together in alliances during events.
• Teams prepare and give presentations on what they
  know.
• Teams host out of town teams for events.

• Teams share their tools, and equipment.
• Teams share their mentors.
• Teams share their experiences.
• Teams Celebrate their success together.

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• Starting a Team
• Foundation for a sustainable team and successful
  program
• School support
• Teachers need to be involved
• The more departments the better (math, computer,
  science, art, shop, etc.)
• Teachers students need support of the
  administration district
• Financial support (should get some budget)
• Many teams eventually get a class started within
  the school
• Sponsor Support
• Apply for corporate and foundation grants
• Recruit local / community sponsors (small
  businesses)
• Student / team fundraisers
• Engineer / Mentor / Technical Support
• Recruit engineers to join the team
• Can be from sponsors or just volunteers
• Recruit a machine shop and/or machinists
• In-kind support of machine shop is as good as gold

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• Suggested Tools Materials Needed
• Typical materials and supplies to purchase /
  stock (Safety glasses are required)
• Important basic tools Drill Press, Band Saw,
  Hand drills, Grinder/Sander
• Basic Robot materials Frame materials, Drive
  Train, Electronics, Control System, Motors, etc.
• Competition pit size and constraints plan
  your pit tools and supplies before the robot
  ships
• Battery powered hand tools and dremel tools are
  great
• Know what spare parts and tools are needed to
  repair your robot

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• Team Organization
• Encourage and promote diversity within the
  program and the team
• Student involvement/ownership is crucial, but so
  is adult (teacher, engineer, parent) involvement
• Accomplishing each of the above is the key to
  success
• Very Important keep in mind that there is no
  right model for a team. The main thing is that
  the adults and students work together on the
  robot. If the robot is 100 student built or
  100 adult built the team has missed the point.
  FIRST is not a Science Fair adults should be
  involved and helping the students build the robot
  and their team. Only with a student/adult
  partnership can a team get the full impact and
  inspiration of FIRST.

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Team Organization, cont.

• Student Sub teams
• Examples Mechanical, Electrical, PR/Marketing,
  Fundraising, Programming, Drive Train, Team
  Management, Construction (field/crate/cart), Web
  Site, Animation, Scouting Strategy, Finance,
  Pit/Tool/Inventory, CAD, Chairmans Award,
  Photography, Spirit, FLL, Mentoring Community
  Outreach, Rules Documentation, Travel Planning
  Reservations (if going to distant event), VEX,
  and more
• Timeline Schedule DEADLINES
• Create a calendar / timeline (Many FIRST
  deadlines are listed on the following page)
• Deadlines, Meetings, Work Sessions, Parent
  meetings, Team Building Activities, Fundraisers,
  Workshops, Competitions
• IMPORTANT to have a couple members in charge of
  knowing, watching, and monitoring all deadlines

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• Calendar of Important Deadlines
• FIRST Robotics Competition Calendar of Important
  Deadlines - 2007 Season
• Registration Due Date Pre-Registration begins On
  line at Noon Eastern21-Sep-2006
• Initial regional On line at Noon
  Eastern02-Oct-2006
• Championship On line at Noon Eastern02-Oct-2006Cha
  mpionship - 2006 participants On line at Noon
  Eastern26-Oct-2006
• Second regional On line at Noon
  Eastern26-Oct-2006Unrestricted for remaining
  regional events On line at Noon
  Eastern09-Nov-2006
• Registration closes Ends on line01-Dec-2006
• Event Payments Due Date For initial regional
  event Due at FIRST by08-Dec-2006
• For subsequent regional event(s Due at
  FIRST by26-Jan-2007
• Championship pre-qualified teams based on
  criteria Due at FIRST by26-Jan-2007Championship
  based on 07 performance/awards Due at
  FIRST by06-Apr-2007

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• Team Information Due Date Team data for program
  books Due on line by07-Dec-2006
• Judge's Information Complete section in TIMS
  by21-Feb-2007 1159 p.m. EST
• Kickoff Due Date Kickoff Registration/attendance
  kit pick-up location begins On line at Noon
  Eastern16-Oct-2006
• NH Kickoff workshop registration begins On line
  at Noon Eastern16-Oct-2006Kickoff
  Registration/attendance kit pick-up location
  ends Ends on line01-Dec-2006
• NH Kickoff workshop registration ends Register
  By22-Dec-2006KickoffNH and Local Kick Off
  sites06-Jan-2007

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• Robot Shipment Due Date Robot ship deadline Ship
  by20-Feb-2007Confirm robot shipment (only if you
  drove to the drayage site or used an alternate
  shipper) by mail only arrival by 23-Feb-2007
• Awards Submissions Due Date Chairmans Award
  Submit online at www.firstawards.org by22-Feb-2007
   1159 p.m. EST
• Woodie Flowers Award Submit online
  at www.firstawards.org by22-Feb-2007 1159 p.m.
  EST
• Autodesk Visualization AwardSubmit through
  the Autodesk FIRSTbase site16-Feb-2007 500 p.m.
  PST
• Autodesk Inventor AwardSubmit through
  the Autodesk FIRSTbase site08-March-2007 500
  p.m. PST
• Website Design Award Submit online
  at www.firstawards.org by22-Feb-2007 1159 p.m.
  EST
• Hall of Fame Submit online at www.firstawards.org 
  by22-Feb-2007 1159 p.m. E

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2007 Competition Deadlines

• Safety Animation Due Date Contest details
  announced via email16-Oct-2006Safety animation
  submissions Due at FIRST by15-Dec-2006
• Scholarships Due Date Application dates vary Info
  on web Info on web
• NASA Grants Due Date Application process opens
  Starts on line22-Sep-2006Application process
  closes Ends on line03-Nov-2006Grant winners
  announced by region On line20-Nov-2006 Revised
  Date

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• Budget Planning
• Expenses
• Competition registration fees
• Tools, materials supplies (aluminum, lexan /
  polycarbonate, pvc, plywood, nuts, screws, bolts,
  washers, connectors fasteners, sprockets,
  paint, decals)
• Robot parts (motors, wheels, control system
  components, electronics/wiring, etc.)
• PR materials (shirts, buttons, spirit items,
  signs, flyers, Chairmans Award, etc.)
• Food (during team meetings, work/build sessions,
  competitions)
• Construction materials for field, crate, cart
• Travel (airfare, hotel, transportation, food,
  entertainment)
• Decide/fundraise in December if you will want to
  go to the National if you qualify
• Shipping (most covered by Fed Ex FIRST not
  over 400 lbs, 2nd crate, 2nd regional)

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Budget Planning, cont

• Fundraising Examples
• Large Sponsors (corporations, grants,
  foundations, local businesses, machine shops,
  etc)
• In-Kind contributions (food, machine shop
  assistance, transportation, construction
  materials, uniforms/shirts, shipping, tools, PR
  materials,)
• Parent contributions (food, transportation,
  supervision, for uniforms/travel, help)
• Team Fundraisers show off your robot at many of
  these!
• Food sales (candy, bake sale, pancake
  breakfast/spaghetti dinner, burgers, sandwiches,
  coffee, tacos, popcorn, donuts, cookies,
  concession stand)
• Work for (car wash, paint, mow lawns, wash
  windows, xmas gift wrapping)
• Pledge ideas (walk-a-thon, bowl-a-thon, raffles,
  auction, bike-a-thon, run-a-thon)
• Other (club/school dance, dunk tank, pie throwing
  contest, movie/game night, golf tournament, sell
  xmas trees/pumpkins, bingo, Recycling - cans,
  bottles, paper)
• Clean up activities (parking lots, athletic
  events, garbage)
• Ideally start each year by planning 2 years
  ahead so you can adapt to any sudden situations
  (loss of sponsor, extra expenses, unexpected
  qualification for and travel to National
  Championship, need for new tools or parts, off
  season competitions or activities, etc.)

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• Rules and Updates
• Read learn the various rules
• There are rules which apply to the game, the
  building of the robot, shipping, inspection,
  deadlines, awards, animation entries, so on
• Rule interpretations, allowed parts, scoring
  issues, and so on, can change after the kickoff
• If your team is not always aware of updates, you
  could make decisions or mistakes which could cost
  your team time, money, effort, sanity, or even
  prevent you from passing inspection

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Rules and Updates, cont.

• Monitor all updates on the FIRST web page
• After Jan 6th - ALWAYS monitor the rules updates
  on the FIRST web site
• All answers to all questions are posted for
  public viewing
• Many times you will see questions, answers, and
  ideas you otherwise would not have even thought
  of
• If in doubt about a rule or other issue
• FIRST Carefully check the manual
• Over 90 of questions asked to FIRST are answered
  in the manual
• If answer still is not found or clear, ask FIRST
  for rules clarification
• FIRST is usually very prompt in answering or
  clarifying rules questions, but please understand
  they get HUNDREDS of calls/e-mails (many the
  same, and many answered in the manual), so dont
  be surprised if you get a short direct answer
  referring to a page section in the manual.
• Monitor web sites FIRST, Chief Delphi, and
  others
• Stay in contact with local teams share
  questions answers

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• Team Log/Journal
• Create a log/journal a lessons learned/things
  to improve book
• Good documentation for Rookie All-Star and
  Chairmans Award judging
• As things occur, write them down mistakes made,
  better ways to do things, things you wish you had
  prepared for differently, etc. Dont try to fix
  things now, but this log will be invaluable after
  the season youd be surprised how many teams
  commit the same mistakes each year (forget).

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• Shipping / Crate / Cart Information
• Crate
• Plans / Example Designs - Dimensions (FedEx)
• Make it Forkliftable
• How to secure contents
• Shipping
• B.O.L. / B.O.M. / and Labels
• Freight Pickup / Drayage Costs and Info
• Shipping Process Flow Chart
• Packing for local vs. distant event
• Cart
• Shippable vs. Non-Shippable
• Places for spare parts / tools / controls /
  goggles
• How to secure contents
• Towing

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• Kit of Parts
• After you get the kits of materials at the
  kickoff, Inventory everything
• Be sure you received everything, and notify FIRST
  if you didnt
• Figure out what the different things in the kit
  can be used for, and for the items which may
  appear useless brainstorm and imagine possible
  uses
• Everything in the kit does not have to be used
  totally up to you
• You can modify most kit parts but KNOW the
  rules and be sure it is legal to modify anything
  before you do it.
• Explain Additional Parts List and Legal Part
  Catalog
• If there is a salary cap, very important to
  keep track of catalog orders
• Double check orders when they arrived to make
  sure all parts charged are included

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• Building the Robot Build/Design Process
• Discuss the game, figure out the possible
  strategies pros cons
• Know size weight limitations
• Simple, but can become VERY BIG problem if not
  monitored carefully
• Weight, size, motors, wiring, and other items
  have to pass inspection to compete
• Dont forget things like batteries, control
  system, and wiring in weight
• Brainstorm designs Keep it simple. Durability
  and robustness are key
• Robots get hit on accident by allies
  opponents, and on purpose by opponents
• Youd be surprised how many robots tip over
  some by themselves
• Dont over engineer. Build within your
  resources. Know your limitations. Simple but
  very robust/reliable/consistent robots do well.
  Doing one or two tasks or aspects of the game
  well is better than doing many things below
  average
• Prototype
• Build the robot
• Test, Redesign, Test, Redesign, then repeat
• Practice - the more control and drive practice
  before a competition the better
• Repair
• Build spare parts

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Building the Robot Build/Design Process

• Try to keep to a schedule (ask veteran teams for
  examples)
• Week 1 Build important field obstacles,
  Brainstorm, Rough Design. Programming Control
  team should be working on and understanding the
  controller and programming.
• Week 2 Continue to fine tune the design,
  prototype, order parts, start building
• Drive base is the most important if it cant
  move, the rest wont matter
• WEEKLY Keep a good inventory of parts, order
  supplies / materials / parts as needed, and keep
  VERY good records for SPI and salary cap
• Weeks 3 to 6 Get examples of construction
  timetables from veteran teams
• All teams adapt to their situations, find the
  best timetable goals for you
• Example can be found on the Chief Delphi web site

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• Miscellaneous
• Yearbook page - Important
• Before competition Invite, and if at all
  possible, make sure Sponsors, School
  Administrators, Board Members, Potential
  Sponsors/Engineers/Machine Shop for future
  attend. BY FAR THE BEST WAY TO GET SUPPORT,
  FUNDRAISE, START A CLASS
• At The Competition - Describe order of events
• Thursday morning
• Unpack robot, set up pit area, get robot working
• Pass inspection Weight, Size, Technical, and
  safety
• Practice rounds
• Meet other teams, trade spirit items PR
  materials, scout
• Friday
• Get everything ready
• Opening Ceremonies
• Qualifying Rounds
• Awards Ceremony
• Team Party
• Saturday
• Opening Ceremonies
• Finish Qualifying Rounds
• Break Alliance Selection

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• Miscellaneous
• When season is over dont forget to..
• THANK SPONSORS (Financial, In Kind, Teachers,
  Mentors, Parents, etc.)
• Thank You Cards, Team Picture, Plaque,
  Newsletter, etc.
• Plan schedule for summer and start of school
  (meetings, review, off season events, etc.)
• Begin fundraising its everyones job

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• FIRST www.usfirst.org
• SCRRF www.scrrf.org
• Chief Delphi http//www.chiefdelphi.com
• McMaster Carr http//www.mcmaster.com/
• Innovation First http//www.innovationfirst.com/
• Small Parts http//www.smallparts.com/
• NASA Robotics http//www.robotics.nasa.gov/

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• Thank You for your time.
• For more information please talk with the
  students who are here from Chaminade College
  Preparatory
• www.usfirst.org
• www.chaminade.org

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