Vanden High Robotics Team

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Vanden High RoboticsTeam 701Parent / Mentor
Meeting

• Sept 14, 2006
• www.vandenrobotics.org
• WWW.USFIRST.ORG

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Robotics Team 701

• Students in Robotics (23)
• Michael Sanchez (11-2), Elena Schweitzer (11-2),
  Eric Smith (10-2), Ian Dickerson (10-2), Anthony
  Stralla (10-2), Ki-Tae Kim (10-2), Nolan Gigante
  (12-1), Dan Aceron (12-1), Travis Saipno (12-1),
  Sam Murphy (9-1), Zack Ellenberger (10-2), Ken
  Pirondini (10-2), Adam Korynta (10-1), Priya
  Rangen (9-1), Sarah Stafford (9-1), Danielle
  Salvador (9-1), James Weaver (10-2), Dan Dorety
  (9-1), Adam Ward (9-1), Tim Trujillo (9-1),
  Steven Sigley (9-1), Meghan Ramos (9-1), Cory
  Park (9-1)
• Advisors
• Doug Green Physics Teacher
• 628-3719 (cell) 449-9478 (home)
• dgreen_at_travisusd.k12.ca.us
• Sankaran Iyer Principal, Cambridge Elementary
• siyer_at_travisusd.k12.ca.us
• John Poe Drafting and Shop Teacher
• jpoe_at_travisusd.k12.ca.us
• Mentors
• Duane Murphy Siemens Programmer and Parent
• Steve McDonald Goodrich Corp.
• Karen McDonald UC Davis
• Robotics Alumni that may stop by College
  Students Danielle Treat, Darla Edwards, Bryan
  Gray, Alex Ellenberger, Travis Johnson, Salik
  Syed
• ???

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Competition Overview

• Sponsored and Organized by US FIRST foundation.
  (FIRST For Inspiration and Recognition of
  Science and Technology)
• The goal of FIRST and this competition is to
  inspire more students to enter the fields of
  Science, Math, and Technology.
• Starting Saturday, Jan. 6, 2006 FIRST will
  announce this years game and the rules teams
  must abide by. Teams then have about 6 weeks to
  design, fabricate, build, and test a robot that
  can compete in the game.
• There are now over 1100 teams worldwide that
  compete in one or more 35 regional competitions
  and up to 300 teams may compete at the national
  competition in Atlanta, GA.
• We will register for the UC Davis Regional (March
  29-31) ??? LOOK FOR A NOTE REGARDING THIS IN
  OCTOBER/NOVEMBER!!

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Competition Overview

• Regional competitions are held in March - April
• Some of the Regionals and the National
  competition are picked up by Cable or Network TV.
  The Science Channel is currently airing a
  documentary on this competition.
• The game is complex and nothing like
  BattleBots!! Last years scoring system
  rewards teams for increasing opponents scores
  through the use of Qualifying points.
• Teams are often paired up to work in alliances.
  Alliances switch off every match with teams
  playing 5-8 matches a day for 1 ½ days. Then the
  Championship rounds take place at the end of the
  day.
• Many teams are sponsored by a corporation(s).
  Ford, GM, HP, Compaq, Seagate, TRW, Boeing,
  Delphi, NASA, Intel, Tyco, TI, DalmerChrysler,
  GE, Xerox, Nortel, Lockheed Martin, Hitachi,
  Raytheon, Walt Disney, Toyota, 100s more

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Rewards for Participating

• Students receive valuable skills in the following
  areas
• Software use AutoCAD, Inventor, 3D StudioMax
• Materials Engineering and Fabrication Techniques
• Mechanical Engineering concepts involving
  Statics, Dynamics, and Fluid Power
• Electrical Engineering concepts involving DC
  Circuits, components, and wiring
• Computer Science and programming concepts
  regarding Digital and Analog signal processing
• Project Management and Teamwork building.
• Many of the above skills are at or above
  College Level !!!
• Participation on FIRST Robotics Team is like no
  other, many participants from previous years go
  on to pursue college degrees in Engineering,
  Science, Math, and Technology.

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Rewards for Participating

• Participants are eligible for 8 million in
  over 90 scholarships. Scholarship applications
  due in Feb, but some require enrollment
  applications in Nov-Dec.
• A chance to network with industry professionals
  and peers from around the nation. Participating
  on a FIRST Robotics Team places these students in
  a very select group among the nations brightest.
• Changing the way other students and members of
  the community look at science, math, engineering
  and technology fields. Its not boring stuff!!
  Its exciting, innovative, and fun!!

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How parents mentors can help

• Fundraising!!!
• Letter writing and contacting local businesses
  remember to do proper follow-up and etiquette.
• Supervision of sales Raffle tickets or other
  sales - Permission from owner is required!!
• Got contacts??? Spread the word!!
• Work Bingo, Thursday Nights See Christy Sims
• WE NEED at least 6,000 by Dec 1, 2006.
• Additional 4,000 - 10,000 to register for
  additional competitions.

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How parents mentors can help

• Fundraising, Fundraising, Fundraising.
• Project support and mentoring
• Assist with design and fabrication if you have
  the background (Mill, Lathe, CNC, TIG Welding)
• Assist with basic project management and
  organizational issues.
• Assist with Computer Programming (PIC
  Microcontrollers)
• Assist with general tool use and technique (hand
  drills, drill press, saws)
• Work time supervision
• Supervise students when advisors are unavailable.
  Keep them on task and make sure they are safe.
• Food and Refreshments
• As students work on the project during the
  weekends and sometimes into the night requires
  them to be fed. (arrangements for pizza or
  sending snacks / drinks with them works just fine
  theres a Fridge in the Science Building and by
  the Robot Room.)
• Competition Chaperones - Drivers
• Transport students to Competitions
• If you are alone with students (car, school, or
  otherwise), you must be fingerprinted with Travis
  USD. Please fill out the forms that are
  available online then contact me so that we may
  submit our fingerprint request through Dr. McCabe
  to the district office.
• http//www.travisusd.k12.ca.us/travisusd/tusd/Admi
  nistration/volunteer/VolunteerForm.asp