FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION TEAM

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1 START OR SUPPORT A FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION TEAM For Inspiration and Recognition of Science andtechnology JOIN THE EXCITEMENT

2 TO START A FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION TEAM PLEASE CONTACT: GAIL S. ALPERT (248) GAIL.ALPERT@GMAIL.COM To learn more about FIRST, please visit or

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5 2010 FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION EVENTS* DISTRICT EVENTS DATE NAME OF EVENT VENUE March 5-6 Traverse City FIRST Robotics Competition Traverse City Central High School March 5-6 Kettering University FIRST Robotics Competition Kettering University March Cass Tech FIRST Robotics Competition Cass Technical High School March Ann Arbor FIRST Robotics Competition Skyline High School March Detroit FIRST Robotics Competition Wayne State University March West Michigan FIRST Robotics Competition Grand Valley State University March Troy FIRST Robotics Competition Troy Athens High School STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DATE NAME OF EVENT VENUE April 1-3 FIRST Robotics Competition State Championship Eastern Michigan University FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP DATE NAME OF EVENT VENUE April The FIRST Robotics Championship Event Georgia Dome, Atlanta NAME OF EVENT Package of 2 District Events: Rookie Team Veteran Team Third District Event (space permitting) State Championship FIRST Robotics Championship Event TEAM REGISTRATION FEES COST TO PARTICIPATE $5,500** $5,000 $ 500 $4,000 $5,000 * 2011 dates and events will be similar ** Actual registration fee for rookie teams is $6,500 minus a $1,000 grant from Dean Kamen to bring the out of pocket cost down to $5,500"

6 2010 MICHIGAN FIRST ROBOTICS TEAMS NUMBER TEAM NAME LOCATION NUMBER TEAM NAME LOCCATION 815 Allen Park & St Frances Cabrini Allen Park 3175 University Liggett School Grosse Pointe Woods 830 Ann Arbor Huron Ann Arbor 123 Hamtramck Hamtramck 2627 Grace Center for Arts and Technology Ann Arbor 107 Holland Christian Holland 3322 Skyline Ann Arbor 74 Holland Holland 1718 Macomb Academy of Arts & Sciences Armada 2015 Wavecrest Career Academy Holland 33 Notre Dame Prep Auburn Hills 141 West Ottawa Holland 2188 Belding Tech Dept Belding 2054 Hopkins & AAESA Tech Center Hopkins 1940 Benton Harbor Benton Harbor 857 Houghton Houghton 247 Berkley Berkley 2611 Jackson County Intermediate School District Jackson 835 Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills 2246 Johannesburg Johannesburg 2960 Birmingham Saholm Birmingham 1677 Kalamazoo Public Schools Kalamazoo 3060 Roeper Birmingham 2767 Homeschool HUB Kalamazoo/Battle Creek 2834 Andover & Laer Bloomfield Hills 2145 Lake Fenton Community Schools Lake Fenton 573 Brother Rice & Marian Bloomfield Hills 302 Lake Orion Lake Orion 469 International Academy Bloomfield Hills 2617 Sexton Science, Math, Engineering Magnet Lansing 2586 Calumet Calumet 1684 Lapeer East Lapeer 862 Plymouth Canton Educational Park Canton 2163 Lapeer West Lapeer 2604 Capac Community Schools Capac 1254 Van Buren ISD Lawrence 2153 Chassell Township Chassell 2832 Livonia Public Schools Livonia 1502 Chelsea Chelsea 3234 Lowell Red Arrows Lowell 27 CSMTech Academy at Clarkston Clarkston 910 Bishop Foley Madison Heights 3302 Clawson Clawson 3421 Industrial Tech Academy of St. Clair County Marysville 2959 Watervliet Coloma 2619 Midland Public Schools Midland 1250 Henry Ford Academy Dearborn 67 Huron Valley Schools Milford 1998 Robichaud Dearborn Heights 240 Jefferson Robotics Monroe 2673 Cass Technical Detroit 1528 Monroe Monroe 440 Cody Detroit 2719 Monroe Monroe 3119 Crockett Technical Detroit 3415 Montrose Flushing Montrose 2591 Davis Aerospace Technical Detroit 2645 Reet Puffer Muskegon 3069 Denby Detroit 2474 Home School HUB & Berrien Springs Niles 2048 Detroit Academy for Young Women Detroit 1506 Genesee County N Oakland County 3002 Detroit Central Detroit 548 Northville Northville 3096 Detroit Finney Detroit 503 Novi Novi 1941 Frederick Douglass College Prep Academy Detroit 1216 Oak Park Oak Park 519 Golightly Career and Technical Center Detroit 1504 Okemos, Lansing Christian, Williamston Okemos 3097 Kettering Detroit 3401 Orchard Lake St. Mary's Orchard Lake 3398 Martin Luther King Jr. Detroit 68 Brandon & Holly Ortonville 515 Osborn Educational Complex Detroit 2137 Oxford Oxford 2224 Renaissance Detroit 1 Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast Pontiac 2050 Southeastern of Tech Detroit 51 Pontiac Pontiac 903 Southwestern Detroit 245 Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek s Rochester Hills 1701 University of Detroit Jesuit and Academy Detroit 201 Rochester Rochester Hills 3115 Westside Academy Detroit 326 Romulus Community Schools Romulus H Allegan Co MSU Extension Dorr 1188 Royal Oak Royal Oak 2676 Ecorse Community Ecorse 49 Buena Vista Saginaw 3414 Farmington Farmington 703 Saginaw Career Complex Saginaw 3423 North Farmington Farmington 1596 Sault Area and Career Center Sault Sainte Marie 1322 G.R.A.Y.T. Leviathons Fenton 3114 Glenn W. Levey Outreach Southfield 1025 Ferndale Schools Ferndale 94 Southfield Southfield 322 Flint Community Schools Flint 2620 Southgate Anderson Southgate 397 Flint Southwestern Academy and Bendle Flint 217 Utica Community Schools Sterling Heights 468 Flushing Flint 2851 Utica Community Schools Sterling Heights 314 International Academy of Flint Flint 1243 Swartz Creek Swartz Creek 894 Powers Catholic Flint 280 Taylor CC, Kennedy, Truman, Gabriel Richard Taylor 2245 Frankfort Frankfort 1023 Bedford Temperance 1918 Newaygo County RESA Fremont 1896 Mfg Tech Academy of Northwest Michigan Traverse City 2405 Fruitport Fruitport 1711 SCI MA TECH Traverse City Central Traverse City 70 Goodrich Goodrich 226 Troy School District Troy 494 Goodrich Goodrich 308 Walled Lake Schools Walled Lake 2337 Grand Blanc Grand Blanc 818 Warren Consolidated Schools Warren 904 Creston Grand Rapids 3098 Waterford Kettering Waterford 3357 Forest Hills Public Schools Grand Rapids 2612 Waterford Mott Waterford 518 Ottawa Hills Grand Rapids 313 Wayne Westland Schools Wayne 2075 West Catholic Grand Rapids 1783 Ogemaw Heights West Branch 2771 Grand River Prep Grandville 858 Wyoming Public Schools Wyoming 216 Grandville Grandville 66 Willow Run Ypsilanti 288 Grandville Grandville 470 Ypsilanti Ypsilanti 1189 Grosse Pointe Public Schools Grosse Pointe 85 Zeeland West & Zeeland East Zeeland

7 2010 MICHIGAN TEAM SPONSORS 221 Robotic Systems Cypress Computer Systems Inc. Gerber Foundation McDonalds of Waterford SlipNOT Metal Safety Flooring 3 Dimensional Services D.R.M. Stakor and Associates Gerdau Macsteel Mclaren Health Care Solidworks 3M Dahti Seating Gill Industries Mead Johnson Nutritionals South Central Michigan Works 4 H Allegan Co MSU Extension Dan's Robotic Team Gordon Food Service Meijer Southfield Machining Inc. A Frame Awards, Inc. Dart Foundation Gorman's Gallery Michigan Advanced Robotics Comp Spartan Stores Aalderink Electric Co. DASI Solutions Grand Traverse Radiologists, PC Michigan State University Stahlin Enclosures ACTI (2) Data Processing Services Grand Traverse Resort Michigan Technological Univ (2) Statewide Office Systems Advance Turning & Mfg. Inc. Davison Tool & Engineering, L.L.C. Grand Traverse Stamping Div of Alcoa Midland Kiwanis Steelcase Advanced Data Research Florida, Inc Delphi (4) GRAPCEP Davenport Mid Michigan Robotics Alliance Sterling Tool, Inc. AEP American Electric Power Delphi Steering Systems Great Lakes Eye Consults Fedor, M.D. Midway Machine Techlologies Stitch in Time Affiliated Construction Specialists Inc. Delta Machining Inc. Greenville Tool & Die Midwest Fluid Power Stryker Medical (2) AI DENSO GTRCF Assisting Children's Edu Fund Mike's Home Repair Team Elmer's Airgas Diallo,Cromer,Toussaint,Posey&Polk,P.L.L.C Gumbo Minnick Web Services TechCare Services AISIN World Corp. of America Digital Fabrication Hart Pontiac MMRA Technique Inc. ALRO Steel (2) Diversified Tooling Group Harvey Industries MPT Drives, Inc. TechSmith American Axle DLLINK Haworth Inc. New Frontier 21 Tecla Company, Inc. American Compounding Specialties Dow Chemical (2) Herff Jones Sales Recognition New Technologies, Inc. Ted Stahl American Proficiency Institute Dr. Scott VanderVeen Family Dentistry Herman Miller Foundation (2) Nexteer Terminal Supply Anixter DTE Energy Foundation (6) Hinckley Research Niles Precision Terumo Cardiovascular Sys Applied Manufacturing Technologies Durst Lumber Hitachi Automotive Norgren, Inc. The Henry Ford Armada Lions Eagle Technologies Group Holland Area Poker players North Central MI Community Fndn The Mazza Family ASI Improvement Co. Eaton Corporation Holland Town Center Northland Area FCU The people of Newaygo County AT&T (9) Eco Bat Huizenga Group NPC Robotics The Ubik Family Atomic Object Eddie K Electric I & G Tooling, Inc Nuevo Vallartas The Verble Family ATW: Advanced Technology & Testing Edgewater Automation i3 Detroit (2) NuStep, Inc. Thompsons Hardware Store Automated Systems, Inc. EFC Systems Inc IBM ODL, INC. Town & Country Group Avaya Electro Optics Technology IMPI ROBOTICS Optimist Club of West Branch Toyota Technical Center AVL (4) E Merging Market Technologies LLC Integrated Controls, Inc. Orbit Digital Media TQ Machining B & B Tool Emhart Teknologies Investment Consulting Group Orotex Corporation Trans matic BAE Systems (17) Engineered Automation Systems, Inc. IST ORT Traverse City Products, Inc. Baker College Engineering Aluminum Fabricators ITC: Integrated Testing and Control OUR Credit Union (2) Troy Fndn for Educat Excellence Bauer Soft Water Epic Machine ITT Technhical Institute (19) PENTECH/Rowe Engineering TRW Belding Parts Plus FANUC Robotics America (2) ITW Drawform Phil Clancy Scholarship Tuff Automation, Inc Belding Tank Technology Ferndale Education Foundation Jaguar Affiliates of Southeast Mich Phillips Welding TWISThink Boeing FHS Engineers Jay Cee Sales & Rivet Inc. Plascore UAW BORIDE Engineered Abrasives FIRST BANK WEST MICHIGAN JDM Systems Consultants Plex Systems (2) UAW Local 14 BP & R Engineering FIRST in Michigan Jefferson Adult Boosters Premier Tooling Systems United States Air Force Bradford Company Fleis & VanDenBrink John Malkovich Prevention Network & Skillman Fndn United States Army Recruiting Buffalo Wild Wings Ford Motor Company (9) Johnson Controls Pribusin/Kaydon University of Detroit Mercy Bullfrogs Bar and Grill Ford Motor Company Global Body Safety JPMorgan Chase Procera Networks University of Michigan (3) Bunting Sand & Gravel Ford Motor Company Team Ford First (2) JR Automation Technologies, Inc. Production Tool Supply US Army TARDEC (2) Butterworth Industries Four County Community Foundation Jublee Housing Init & Comm Dev Corp PRP Inc. UWUA Local 223 Cannon Muskegon Fremont Area Community Foundation Kaydon Bearing PTC (11) VBOX USA Carman Ainsworth Education Fndn G.Michael Kabot, DDS Keihin Michigan Mfg. Qualis Corporation VDS Cascade Engineering Gallagher Kaiser Corporation (2) Kennedy Associates QUEXCO Vector CANtech Chartwell Food Service GE Aviation Systems Kettering University (2) RAUK Enterprises Vic Canever Chevrolet Chelsea Comfort Inn & Conf Ctr GE Volunteers Kiwanis Club of West Branch Rayconnect Wangler's Welding Chelsea Education Foundation General Motor (22) KMT Robot Solutions RD Tool Washtenaw Comm College (2) Chelsea Tool General Motors Grand Rapids Metal Center Kostal Recticel North America Inc. Waterford Foundation Chrysler Foundation (16) General Motors Lansing Grand River Assemb Kuka Assembly & Test Request Foods Weber Electric Chrysler Foundation Mack Ave Engine General Motors Engineering Struct Dev Labs Lake Michigan College Riley Foundation WebShow Planet Clarkston Rotary General Motors Flint Truck Assembly Lake Superior State University Robert Bosch Corporation (2) Weisen Inc. Classic Turning General Motors Foundation (2) Lardner Elevator Company Robert Grooters Development Corp West Branch Machine, LLC Code Red Robotics General Motors Foundation GM CCRW Lawrence Technological University Rockwell Automation Western Michigan Univ (2) Coffey Machining Services General Motors Gen Assembly Engineering La Z Boy Inc. RoMan Manufacturing Williams Tooling & Mfg Comcast General Motors MAAC (2) Lear Corp Ron Jachim Wills Insurance Agency Community Choice Credit Union General Motors Manufacturing Livernois Vehicle Development Salamander Technologies Witco Inc. Consumers Energy General Motors Milford Proving Ground Magna Automotive Seating Sandvik, Inc. World Class Prototypes Copeland Gibson General Motors Powertrain (4) Magna Mirrors Schaeffler Group Yazaki North America, Inc. Covell Funeral Homes General Motors PPO MTS MAIN Mfg. Schenck Rotec Ypsilanti Public Schools Fndn Creative Foam General Motors Research and Development Marathon Oil Company Sign Depot Zeeland Lumber Custom Electronic (2) Genisys Credit Union Marathon Oil, Michigan Refining Div Skillman Foundation Zingermans Gentex MBS Mountainboards

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9 STUDENTS AND ENGINEERS WORK TOGETHER

10 RECOGNIZING TEAM SPONSORS Sponsor names are prominently displayed in the pit area at competitions. Team robots and T-shirts carry team sponsors as well.

11 ACCESS TO FREE DESIGN SOFTWARE PRO/ENGINEER from PTC UNIGRAPHICS from Siemens PLM Software Hundred of thousands of dollars of FREE software is available to schools and students participating in FIRST CATIA V5 from Dassault Systemes INVENTOR from Autodesk SOLIDWORKS from Dassault Systemes Students learn to design like the pros, using the very same software used in industry

12 SAMPLE MICHIGAN TEAM BUDGET Two District Events Two District Events and State Championship Two District Events, State Championship and World Championship COMPETITION REGISTRATION FEES $5,500* for two district events (includes kit of components) $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $4,000 for State Championship (must qualify) 4,000 4,000 $5,000 for World Championship (earned or open spots) 5,000 ROBOT & PRACTICE FIELD PARTS & TOOLS Purchased Robot Parts and Materials 1,000 1,000 1,000 - Drive train parts - Aluminum - Electrical parts - Electronic contoller replacement parts - Pneumatics Building Materials for Practice Field Tools for building robot and for competitions SHIPPING, UNIFORMS & MARKETING EXPENSES Shipping Crate - Freight Team Uniforms Tee-Shirts with sponsor names Marketing Items to trade with other teams - Sponsor banner for team pit area - Graphics and sponsor signs for robot TRAVEL EXPENSES Travel to State Championship (if not local) 2,000 2,000 - Transportation by bus - Lodging for 2 nights Travel to St. Louis for World Championship 8,800 - Transportation by bus - Lodging for 4 or 5 nights TOTAL $8,500 $14,500 $28,500 * Veteran team registration is $5,000 due to reuse of some kit components Note: Some Michigan teams may also choose to participate in events outside of Michigan prior to the State Championship. Associated costs will include $4,000 per event for registration plus travel expenses.

13 TEAM MENTORS NEEDED MECHANICAL ENGINEERS: - With knowledge in drive trains and gearboxes to develop the drive system. Working with the team once a week for an hour or so prior to the start of the competition will help create a solid concept by the time the six-week construction period begins in January. - With knowledge in structures to develop the lift and pick-up mechanisms. Ideally, a team would love to have a separate mechanical engineer/designer for each system on the robot. While the game changes each year, there is always a lift of some sort required. Mechanical engineers/designers are extremely important during the design phase. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: - With knowledge of motors to plan wiring of the robot, placement of speed controllers and spikes. Substantially the same motors are in the kit each year. FIRST provides torque curves and other motor information to all teams. COMPUTER PROGRAMMER: - With knowledge in the language of C and LabVIEW to help write the program for the robot. The robot control system, the CRio from National Instruments, is included in the kit of parts. The robot computer comes with a default program but must be customized. There is also a 15 second autonomous mode in each 2 minute round on the field. The team will need help programming this. DESIGNER OR CAD/UG OPERATOR: - To translate sketches and design ideas into working drawings. MACHINIST/TECHNICIAN/MECHANIC: - To fabricate parts along with the students, to design systems and help make improvements. Students would love to fabricate all of the parts themselves, but it is not an efficient use of time during the short six-week construction period. WELDER: - To weld aluminum and mild steel parts. PNEUMATICS EXPERT: - To assist with any pneumatics on the robot. Cylinders, valves and a pump are included in the kit of parts provided by FIRST. COMPUTER GRAPHICS MENTOR: - To assist with the discretionary animation competition using 3D Studio Max software PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND: - A single company often does not have experts in each of these areas - A single mentor can often help in more than one area - Many teams function without experts in each of these areas

14 FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION SAMPLE WORK SCHEDULE Pre-Season Training Familiarization with tools and machine shop Oct - Dec Workshops covering mechanics, electronics, pneumatics, Oct - Dec drive systems, manipulators, electrical, programming, etc. Kick-Off Weekend Kick-off Meeting - game & rules announced Sat 9:30-12:30 Team meeting to review game & rules Sat 12:30-7:30 Team meeting to plan game strategy / form Sub-teams Sun 1:30-5:00 Week One: Formulate Design Ideas Sub-teams formulate design ideas Mon - Fri Complete design ideas Sat Team meeting / each Sub-team presents design ideas Sun Week Two: Design / Integrate Systems and Components Sub-teams design systems and components Mon - Fri Complete system designs, component drawings and parts list Sat Team meeting/ Presentation of designs by each Sub-team Sun Week Three: Fabricate / Procure Components Components fabricated / parts ordered Mon - Sat Complete component fabrication and procurement Sun Week Four: Assemble Robot Sub-teams assemble robot Mon - Sat Complete robot assembly Sun Week Five: Develop and Test Develop and test robot Mon - Sat Complete development and testing Sun Week Six: Game Practice and Revisions Field team practices and final revisions made Mon - Sat Programming Sun Week Seven: End of Six Week Build Season Lock up robot Tues Team meeting-review competition needs Wed Fabricate spare parts for competition Wed - Sun District Competitions Travel after school and load-in early evening Thurs Competition- qualifying rounds Fri, finals Sat Fri Sat State Championship, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI Depart for Ypsilanti early morning Thurs Competition-practice Thurs, qualifying rounds Fri, finals Sat Thurs-Sat Championship Event, America s Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, MO Depart for St. Louis early morning Wed Competition-practice Thurs, qualifying rounds Fri, finals Sat Thurs-Sat Depart for Detroit early morning Sun Monday through Friday 4:00pm- 8:30pm APPROXIMATE WORK HOURS Saturday and Sunday 8:00am- 4:00pm

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18 THE BENEFITS OF FIRST ROBOTICS External and Marketing Benefits to Corporate Sponsors Identifies and grows the future engineering and technical workforce Creates partnerships between corporations and high schools Allows corporations to directly impact student education Creates brand/corporate visibility and awareness Demonstrates community commitment Builds community good will Builds responsible citizens/ future customers Provides positive media exposure Provides abundant networking opportunities Internal Benefits to Corporate Sponsors Provides talent pool for internships and scholarships Provides platform for developing, training and motivating technical workforce Provides opportunities for crossdepartmental collaboration Provides opportunities for crossindustry networking Enhance critical time management skills Fosters creativity and team-work Provides student-run robotics demonstrations for corporate meetings and events Benefits to Students and Community Inspires a desire for scientific learning Teaches fundamental skills in science and technology Makes connections between classroom lessons and real-world application Provides opportunities for disadvantaged students by developing their technological skills Builds bridges between science and all other curriculum Encourages middle and high school students to consider careers in science and technology Reduces anxiety and fear of science and technology Fosters needed mentor and role model relationships Links students to the wider community Breaks down gender, race and cultural barriers Teaches teamwork Builds self esteem Builds community/ school pride and spirit Channels competitive spirit similar to traditional athletic contests Teaches creativity and problem solving Reveals the glamour and excitement of competition Recognizes achievement and contribution at every level

19 WHY SHOULD A HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT A FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION TEAM FIRST is for all students, not just those already interested in science, technology and engineering. Over 40,000 students from across the globe participated in Over eighteen hundred high schools are already involved with FIRST The First Robotics Competition has grown rapidly because it is ideal for any high school. The program started in 1992 with just 25 teams. By 2010, there were 1808 teams, with over 40,000 high school students involved. The number of teams will grow again this year. Don t let your high school get left behind. THE BENEFITS OF FIRST ROBOTICS FIRST enhances the current education system The FIRST Robotics competition is designed to increase the high school student s awareness of the many career opportunities available in the areas of science, technology and research. By creating the demand or pull for math and sciences in high school, FIRST Robotics makes our current education system more productive. Through team leader surveys we have discovered that participating on a FIRST team has the following impact: a. Inspiring students to pursue careers in science and technology b. Creating more positive attitudes about science and technology among students c. Improving student s self-confidence and self-esteem d. Increases students knowledge of science and technology e. Increasing students ability to translate science and technology theories into real world applications f. Puts hundred of thousands of dollars of educational materials (software, hardware) in the hands of students and teachers It teaches more than just science, math and technology FIRST not only interests students in science, math and technology at a critical time in their lives, but does so by encouraging teamwork, initiative, self-confidence and an appreciation of diversity. For many students FIRST is the first chance they have had to meet engineers in person and work along side them to create a robot together. Here they are able to see the power of technology and education and what is possible when the two are combined. Many types of students can participate Any student can join a FIRST team. While FIRST is a varsity sport of the mind, it s not limited to only those interested in math and science. In addition to students who want to design and build the robot, teams need students who can design their logo and press material, create computer

20 graphics, fundraise, photograph the team, create a team video and handle the public speaking engagements. Virtually any student can find a role on a FIRST team. Students apply what they ve learned FIRST Robotics offers students a chance to apply in the real world what they have learned in the classroom. This renews their faith in learning and creates a genuine sense of accomplishment and excitement that is contagious. Everyone benefits Being part of a FIRST Robotics Competition team is a transformational experience for students, teachers, the school, engineers and IT professionals, mentors and volunteers involved. It creates an environment in which the sponsoring companies, schools, and the entire community work together toward a common goal. First offers a new source of college scholarship opportunities In 2010, OVER $12 million in scholarships to colleges, universities and associations were offered to students on FIRST teams. By starting a team, your students will have access to this growing pool of scholarship money available only to students and teachers participating in FIRST. (For complete details, visit the FIRST website) High school/corporate partnerships formed FIRST is a mentoring program. High schools team up with corporations to provide students with a higher level of training than can be offered during the normal course of high school. This creates ongoing partnerships between the school and the corporation. This can be mutually advantageous leading to summer internships for students and additional funding for the school. For students not planning to attend a four-year institution, they can turn their mentoring relationships into post-high school, vocational or technical opportunities. Teacher networking opportunity FIRST competitions are all about cooperation among teams. At events, teachers will have an opportunity to network with other teachers from across the country. Extracurricular or part of the curriculum. Depending upon what type of program best fits the needs of your school, FIRST can be an after school activity like any other varsity sport, or it can be a chance to build a science and technology curriculum around robotics. Two great sources to help design FIRST appropriate curriculums include Project Lead The Way, and Workforce Silicon Valley,

21 WHAT IT TAKES TO START A TEAM Creating a FIRST Robotics Team is similar to creating any varsity sport at the high school. The difference is that the school will enlist the help of corporations to help finance the team and to provide engineers to mentor the kids. HELP GETTING STARTED You can count on a FIRST veteran team to help you get started. All you have to do is ask. A veteran-rookie mentoring program is already in place. When you register with FIRST, they will facilitate matching your team with a veteran team.* How many teachers are needed? TEACHERS AND ENGINEERS NEEDED Many teams have only one high school teacher coordinating their FIRST team. Depending on the amount of time the teacher can dedicate to FIRST, this may be fine. It is ideal if two teachers can be involved. If there are no teachers who want to get involved, a parent or other adult can take the lead. How Many Engineers Are Needed? Most teams operate with a handful of engineers and technical mentors, each skilled in different areas of engineering. It is best to have several mechanical engineers, a programmer, an electrical engineer, a machinist, welder and a fabricator. An engineer well versed in pneumatics is also useful. There are several ways to find engineers and technical mentors to work with the team. Approach your corporate sponsor about lending technical support in addition to financial support. Also find out if any of the parents on the team are engineers or technicians. Finally, recruit any other engineers you know to help the team. THE TIME COMMITMENT Starting in the fall, teams are usually busy securing sponsors, hosting fund-raisers and getting organized. Many schools have chosen to have a FIRST robotics class in their curriculum for team members. The official FIRST competition build season begins the first week in January. Teams have just six short weeks to design and build their robots. During this six-week build period, teams will meet several days a week after school, if not daily, and on weekends. Robots must leave the teams hands and be shipped off to the first registered competition on a specified date in mid-february. Once the robot is gone, teams will continue to meet, but much less frequently. Competitions begin in March. A sample work schedule is included at the back of this section. After the competition season has ended in April, many teams use the off-season to participate in

22 events sponsored by individual teams and to educate the public on the wonders of the FIRST Robotics program. Some schools extend their support to sponsoring FIRST Lego League teams a junior robotics competition for elementary and middle school aged children. Others run workshops on various topics to raise the proficiency of the team before the start of the new season. How much money is needed? THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FIRST robotics team budgets vary depending on the size of the team and number events the team chooses to participate in. In Michigan the fee to compete is $5,500 for new teams ($5,000 for returning teams) which includes a basic kit of parts valued at $15,000 and registration in two district events. Teams qualifying for the State Championship will pay an additional $4,000 to compete there and an additional $5,000 if they move on to the world Championship Event in St. Louis. Teams can decide how many events they want to attend based up on individual budget and time constraints. Typical budgets appear as follows: Two District Events Two District Events + State Championship Two District Events, State Championship + Championship in St. Louis Registration Fees $5,500* $9,000 $14,500 Robot, Practice Field Parts, Tools 2,000 2,000 2,000 Shipping, Uniforms and Marketing 1,000 1,000 1,200 Travel Expenses 2,000 8,800 $8,500 $14,000 $28,500 * returning teams pay $5,000 due to reuse of some kit components Where will the funds come from? Teams procure funds from the schools, corporations, fund-raisers and student contributions. Many teams have a single corporate sponsor who contributes a large portion of the funds. Other teams have multiple sponsors, each contributing smaller amounts. Either way, the idea behind FIRST is for high schools to form long lasting partnerships with corporations. A booklet similar to this one has been created to help you secure a corporate sponsor and can be provided upon request. The Build Kit ITEMS PROVIDED BY FIRST As part of your $5,500 registration fee, FIRST provides and extensive kit of parts valued at approximately $15,000. Include are: Motors & Pumps Robot Control System Pneumatics Electrical Components Rods & Shafts Battery & Charger Springs & Pulleys Fasteners Bearings & Wheels Misc. Hardware

23 Software Package Each team also receives free software including 3D Studio Max and Inventor from AutoDesk, LabVIEW from National Instruments and Pro/Engineer and Windchill from PTC. Teams also have access to free design software packages used in industry. These educational packages include SolidWorks and Catia/Delmia Platform V5 from Dassault Systemes, and Unigraphics from Siemens PLM Software. MACHINE SHOP The team will also need a place to build the robot, equipped with a machine shop. An ideal machine shop would include a lathe, a band saw, a drill press, a mill and aluminum welding capabilities, although many teams make due with far less. If your school does not have an adequate machine shop, ask your corporate financial sponsor if it would be possible to build there. Another alternative is to find a machine shop in close proximity to your school and volunteer engineers. Simply by lending the use of their machine shop, a corporation becomes a sponsor of the team. *. For additional information on starting a team, please read The ASME Guide to Starting a FIRST Team available on the ASME website: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. We do not have anyone available to run the program. A single teacher or small group of teachers can easily head up a FIRST team. No engineering experience is required as corporate engineers assist the team with all technical aspects of designing and building a robot. Much like a teacher coaching another varsity sport, many schools offer a stipend to the teacher coaching a FIRST team. If you cannot convince a single teacher to head up the team, this role can be assumed by a parent or other interested adult. Except during the six week design and build period, which starts the first week in January and runs through mid-february, the time required to run a team is not very demanding. During the six weeks however, teams will meet anywhere from several days a week to everyday depending on how the team is structured. 2. Not enough kids would be interested in participating. Most schools find just the opposite is the case. Schools have to create a selection process to limit the amount of kids participating. Interest is often overwhelming, especially after the first year. There are lots of resources FIRST can provide to generate initial interest. Other teams are willing to bring their robots and team videos to your school for a presentation. Additionally, FIRST teams are not limited to the mechanically inclined student. Artistic/creative students are needed to design websites, team logos, team apparel, videos and animated films. FIRST offers something for every student in your school.

24 3. FIRST is too expensive. While it takes between $8,500 and $28,500 to support a FIRST team annually, the expense can be borne by sponsoring corporations, grants and fundraisers. Once the team registers with FIRST they receive hardware and software valued at over $15,000. This is the property of the school and is a real value to all students, not just those on the team. In addition, the program is not too expensive when you understand the quality of the experience. Participants have found that FIRST: a. Helps transform the school by rallying the community, parents, teachers and schools around the team b. Is not about only building robots, but building the infrastructure of a culture where all can win c. Builds public-private partnerships between schools, corporations, and the government. d. Is a catalyst to renew and transform the educational experience e. Expands the culture of how people work and learn to benefit the future of our society.