Parents Meeting November 5 th 2008. Agenda Introduction Background Plans for 2008 – 2009 Season...
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Transcript of Parents Meeting November 5 th 2008. Agenda Introduction Background Plans for 2008 – 2009 Season...
Parents Parents MeetingMeeting
November 5November 5thth 2008 2008
Agenda
Introduction Background Plans for 2008 – 2009 Season
Overview of the program What to expect How to support the team
Team Handbook Questions
The ÜberBots – Know as Team # 1124 Participates in the US FIRST organization
A Student run organization Operates through the generous donations of
corporate sponsorship, mentors & parents Is a part of Avon Robotics - 501(c)(3) organization
which supports US FIRST, FRC - ÜberBots – Team 1124 Two US FIRST Lego Leagues Others on the way…
Introduction
Avon Robotics
Avon Robotics
US FIRST FRC LeagueTeam 1124
The ÜberBots
US FIRSTLego League
Team #1
US FIRSTLego League
Team #2
Avon Robotics
To create an environment for Avon students where science and technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes
Vision
Charter
To gather resources (money, talent, support) from members of the Avon and surrounding communities to help the students in the pursuit of their vision.
US FIRSTwww.USFIRST.org
FIRST Founded 1989
Projected for 2008/09 season Over 194,000 students 17,425 teams 16,225 robots 53,000 mentors 33,000 event volunteers
2009 FIRST Robotics Competition 1,725 teams (projected) 43,125 high-school students From Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the
Netherlands, the U.K., and every state in the U.S. Events in Canada, Israel, U.S. FIRST Robotics Competition Championship at the FIRST
Championship in Atlanta, GA, April 16-18, 2009
US FIRST
The ÜberBots
Approximately 48 high school students Compete in FIRST Robotics Competitions Founded in 2003 as the Cheetahs Primary meeting place is Avon High School Practice field located at 50 Tower rd Avon –
otherwise known as Reflexite Utilizes a student management structure
Voted in by their peers at the end of the season
2003: Rookie of Year 2006: UTC Regional Championship Winners 2007: Connecticut Regional Championship
Winners, Innovation in Control Award 2008 Connecticut Regional Championship,
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Entrepreneurship Award
2008 Divisional National Champions – Atlanta Georgia
Extracurricular Activities
Community Events PQ Controls Peppermint Farms (180 loaves of bread /
minute) da Vinci Robot @ Hartford Hospital Whittmann Robotics UTC Fire & Security Elementary School Senior Center Avon Day
ÜberBots - Student Structure
President (Sirui Sun)– Duties: Schedules, organizes, and presides over team meetings and
leadership team meetings; represents team where singular presence is required.
Public Relations (Margaret Valerio)– Duties: To preside over and join together spirit committee, fundraising
team and press team. Also responsible for sponsor relations and letters.
Vice President (Matt Bedard)– Duties: Assists the President and assumes duties of the President in
her absence; collects and organizes committee reports. Treasurer (Ben Henry)–
Duties: Works with adult mentor and team leader. Keeps accurate record of receipts and disbursements. Maintains team budget and reports on such at team meetings.
Secretary (Ketaki Shashank)– Duties: Takes accurate minutes of all team meetings and
disseminates such to team members and parents/guardians. Keeps records of contact information for team members, parents/guardians, school administrators, town officials, and sponsors for purposes of communication. Also responsible for documentation of team procedures.
ÜberBots
Engineering Robot
Community Documents
Food for Events
Advertisements
Publicity / Article Writing
Reading Rules
Playing Field
Applying rules
Treasury
Electrical Mechanical Accounting
Fund Raising
Thank you
Software
Team Pictures
Web Site
Strategy
Playbook
Code
Printouts
Cost
Weight
Spare Part Inventory
Budget
Pneumatics
Air Calculations
Layout
Replacement Procedures
SchematicSchematic
Robot Cart Controls
Drawings Sketches
CAD
Last Year Example
Participation Areas
It is not about building a robot…
It is about building a team and the associated processes which is able to operate in a competitive environment, collaboratively, to produce a winning solution to a unique game.
The meets almost year round to prepare for the yearly competition. During the school season teams are only given only 6 weeks to conceptualize and implement their proposals so it is critical the team has prepared properly to operate at their peak performance when the game begins.
The solution includes strategy and product (the robot) which must interact with other teams both competitively and collaboratively to win the game (currently the USFirst competition).
ÜberBots
The Challenge
Input from 45 students
Input from mentors and parents
Rules ‘shifting’
Budget constraints
Part availability & lead-time
Time Constraint 6 Weeks
Unknowns: snow storms, mentor travel…
Defined strategy, play book
Robot that operates as expected
Students who have practiced
A cohesive team – Operating well togetherA cohesive team – Operating well together
Calendar of EventsS M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3K
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10$ Rules, Strategy & Attributes
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17RB B Design Robot
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24OS A Construct Prototype
28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31(winter recess) Practice with Prototype
30
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6
Begin Final Robot/Practice Practice/Prep
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13Test/Tweak/Practice S Practice/Other Prep Practice/Prep Documentation & Lessons Learned Practice/Prep
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 ***17 18 19 20SD R R R T C C C Team Elections
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27R R R T (Party??)
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30
31
Key: Energy/Activity Level Key DatesLow RB Robotics BeginsGuarded OS Official Start of SeasonElevated A Avon DayHigh B Bash at the BeachSevere $ Money Due Date
K Kick-Off→ S Scrimmage
SD Ship DateSchool Closed → R Connecticut Regional CompetitionExams T Travel Days
C Championship→ BC Battle Cry→ WW Wheres Wolcott
Represents a Problem Day
ÜberBots TEAM 1124 2008-2009 CALENDAR
February March
September November December JanuaryOctober
April May June
Team Building
Trust & Respect Do what you say you are going to do Take the extra moment to see other points of
view Work as a team – do not ‘out smart’ others
Communication Take the time to ‘slow down’ and explain Try and develop a common vocabulary Utilize the ÜberBots website
www.UberBots.org
WWW.UberBots.org
Group Interactions
Administration
Sponsors
Media
ÜberBotsÜ
berB
ots
Por
tal
Stud
ents
Students
Parents
Mentors
Community Liaison
ÜberBots Portal
Parents
ÜberBots Portal
Mentors
Avon High School
Interface Council
See Sponsor
Spreadsheet
Accessing the email list
Current Sponsors UTC Fire & Security Reflexite TRUMPF OFS Specialty Photonics
Division Legere Group Ltd. Mintz & Hoke Wittmann Inc. PMP Corporation Walmart fundraising Stop &S hop fundraising Walmart / Community
matching Avon/Canton Rotary Club 8th Grade Orientation
fundraising
Ninety-Nine AEF Grant Exxon Mobile Grant Procon Inc. Flat Bread NAPPA Auto Simsbury Bank Peoples Bank Farmington Savings Third Millennium Marketing,
LLC Mountain Laurel Biomedical Sovereign Bank Transcendigital Avon Day
Contribution Levels Major Sponsor >$ 15K
Name of team Predominate name (& Logo) on the Robot Predominate name (& Logo) on shirts & promotional
material & Web site Name on team Jackets (If we have them)
Key supporters >$1K Name (& Logo) on shirts Mentioned in promotional material & Web site Link from our we web site to contributor web site
Supporter > $250 Smallest print on shirts Smallest print on promotional material & Web site
How money is raised
Support by major sponsors Companies asked to provide finical
support for the program* (see contribution levels)
Fundraising Activities Working with local restaurants Silent Auctions of donated goods Standing outside local supermarkets
Direct Parent support
The majority of the funds raised are in close proximity to Avon Connecticut
How ÜberBots spends money
Fee for entering the competition Regional event $6,000 / year National event $5,000 / year
Purchase parts for the team operation Typically around $13,000 / year
All expenditure of funds is spent either directly for fees to participate in the program, or the purchase of materials & tools for the students to build with.
High level Objectives
We are here for ALL the Students!!! This is the student’s team, they have a
large part in determining how & why things are done
If a decision has to be made, the students need to buy-in
Building a structure to last many years Create the ‘by laws’ for operation Foundation based on ‘student input’ Coupled with technical input from mentors Experiences from the community
Continued input – Continuous improvement
We will always include more kids than less kids The more mentors (properly assigned &
focused) the better Always side in favor of learning more We will never hold any students back, if they
can learn faster & more, we will teach faster & more
Avoid, ‘at all costs’ anything that looks like “mentor’s kids” have the inside track
Operate in an environment which is respectful of our sponsors, the school and community
High level Objectives
What is not said
While the coaches & mentors will always do there best to be fair & equal, it is not the responsibility of the mentors to ensure that all students take in the same amount of knowledge & experience (all students will be exposed equally, but it is up to the student to decide if they choose to engage)
Observations
Students work best in teams of 4-6 (or so….) Students like to make decisions in these
small groups and do not enjoy having to ‘wait’ for those that are not putting in as much effort
Students do not want decisions to be revisited or overturned (unless they come to that conclusion on their own).
Students like to do and see what happens, they like to learn by doing.
Mentor Structure
Coach J.LigottiTeam operation, all mentor functions, primary school coordination, referees mentor squabbles, final orders, financial and interface with Avon Robotics
MechanicalPrimary robot mechanical design and assembly, reviews and approves design, approves mechanical orders
Systems & Software
Primary robot system and software design, approves system and control functions, approves sensors and related orders
ElectricalPrimary robot electrical layout and assembly
CommunityTeam fund raising, spirit engagements, cheers, parties, reviews and approves spirit items and team related items (t-shirts, other clothing)
Public RelationsPrimary interface with local/national media, print press, news and community interest articles, approves all press releases and public relations propaganda
Parent Communications
Drafts emails to the Parent community. Feels the pulse of the organization and recommends to the student team when communication is advised.
How Parents can Help
Three Mentor levels Every night (& weekends) – during build
season Usually becomes a ‘key mentor’ for one of the
functional areas. Helps guide the students in a logical process to obtain a consensus
Some periodicity Will join and assist with a group already in process
– often the same group. Need to be particularly careful in respecting the decisions the group has made in your absence
Come when you can Typically fill in where the team needs the most
support – may not directly align with your skill set and or interest
Raising money & Setting policy
All communication related to our primary sponsor UTC Fire and Security must be approved by the designated UTC F&S interface.
All communication related to our key sponsors must be approved by the mentor responsible for the relationship with that key sponsor.
All communication or contact with sponsors at the supporter level must be approved Community Liaison Mentor.
All communication from the ÜberBots or representing the ÜberBots to the administration or the Board of Education or USFIRST are to be approved by the Coach.
Any Activity or event which otherwise commits the team to time and or resources, must have the prior approval of majority of the student management team.
On any days which a team lunch is ordered, a designated student, collects money and orders the food. Any changes to the normal lunch process must be approved by the majority of the management team in advance.
Spending Money Prior to a financial commitment, the student or mentor must
get an ‘email’ approval from the student treasurer authorizing the expenditure.
Original receipts must be signed by the originating mentor and given to student treasurer for processing.
Student treasurer must sign receipts to be eligible for dispersion of funds. All receipts will be approved by the coach prior to payment.
Only the student treasurer can request funds from the Avon Robotics account.
Mentors or others, who which to make donations to the team, by purchasing and not turning in receipts should notify the student treasurer so it can be accounted for properly
Team Operation
ÜberBots
Avon High School RoboticsTeam Handbook
2008 – 2009 Season
Key Points of the Handbook
Calendar of year’s events Defining the team structure Team Operation Area’s of Participation Officers - Responsibilities Competitions
Regional Nationals
Priorities School work comes first ÜberBots Safety is first priority
Safety program All team member have the right to learn
& participate All created equal – no entitlements
The best suited students play the position The ÜberBots play to win
What it takes to run a team
PITS 1) Safety Captain2) Energy
Management3) Scouting4) Alliance building5) Sprit6) Mechanical7) Coding (software)8) Spare parts9) Practice sign up10) Coach11) Human Player12) Driver #113) Driver #214) Press / media
2
3 4
5
7
10
1
9
8
11
12
13
Key Roles
14
Play Field
Possible Awards Regional Chairman’s Award
FIRST’s most prestigious award, it honors the team that best represents a model forother teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. The awardhelps keep the central focus of the FIRST Robotics Competition on the goal of inspiringgreater levels of respect and honor for science and technology.
Engineering Inspiration AwardCelebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineeringwithin a team’s school and community.
Woodie Flowers AwardThe Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science
ofengineering and design. Dr. William Murphy founded this prestigious award in 1996 torecognize mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communicationskills. The Woodie Flowers Award is presented to an outstanding engineer or teacherparticipating in the robotics competition who best demonstrates excellence in
teachingscience, math, and creative design.
Regional WinnersThis award celebrates the team or alliance that wins the competition.
RegionalThis award celebrates the team or alliance that makes it to the final match of thecompetition.
Autodesk Visualization AwardPresented by Autodesk, Inc. and recognizes excellence in student animation that
clearlyand creatively illustrates the spirit of the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Possible Awards Chrysler Team Spirit Award
1. Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and2. teamwork.
Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” AwardCelebrates an elegant and advantageous machine feature.
General Motors Industrial Design AwardCelebrates form and function in an efficiently designed machine that effectively
achievesthe game challenge.
Highest Rookie Seed AwardCelebrates the highest-seeded rookie team at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds.
Imagery AwardCelebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration ofmachine and team appearance.
Johnson & Johnson Gracious Professionalism AwardCelebrates outstanding sportsmanship and gracious professionalism in the heat ofcompetition, both on and off the playing field.
Judges’ AwardsDuring the course of the competition the judging panel may decide a team’s uniqueefforts, performance, or dynamics merit recognition.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Entrepreneurship AwardCelebrates the entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing a team that, since inception, hasdeveloped the framework for a comprehensive business plan to scope, manage, andachieve team objectives.
Possible Awards Motorola Quality Award
Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication. Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award
Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components to provideunique machine functions.
Rookie All-Star AwardCelebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well
asimplementing the mission of FIRST to inspire students to learn more about science andtechnology.
Rookie Inspiration AwardCelebrates a rookie team for outstanding effort as a FIRST team in community outreachand recruiting students to engineering.
Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety AwardCelebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovativeways to eliminate or protect against hazards.
Website AwardRecognizes excellence in student-designed, built, and managed FIRST team websites.
Xerox Creativity AwardCelebrates creativity in design, use of component, or strategy of play.
Calendar – Build Season
Robot Design Process
Understand the rules of the game
1. What is said2. What is written3. What we think
Discuss on how we plan on playing the game to win (multiple scenarios)
1. Playing offensively2. Playing Defensively3. Working with a partner
What attributes will the robot need to support the strategy's
1. Climb stair2. Pick up ball3. Turn around4. Hang5. Move forward
What is the best way to build a solution for each, or a group of, the required attributes (example)
Proposed design
What is the importance and the measurements of the attributes for the robot;
Wheels & Piston to climb stairs
Tank treadsVS
1 2 3
4 5
Key Dates 2009 season
Connecticut Regional Hartford, CT March 26th – March 28th, 2009
Open Capacity: 0 2009 FIRST Championship
Atlanta, GA April 16th - April 18th, 2009
Open Capacity: 0
Possible costs
Lunches Every Saturday $5.00 lunch money T-shirt at < $15
Two if you go to Atlanta Sweat shirts < $45
Atlanta Not to exceed $950
Atlanta
Commitment $50 due November 15th
$450 due December 18th
$450 due January 10th
While all monies are non-refundable, the team will make every effort to return any funds which had not already be allocated (as determined at the end of the trip – May 1st)
Capacity may be limited to first 25 students – All students must travel with the team
ÜberBots Recognition
Recognition by college and universities Scholarships
Look at www.usfirst.com Image in public / representing our
sponsors Wearing the shirt to support our
sponsors and the team Winning team in Atlanta – goes to the
White House to meet the president
ÜberBots need a ton of help every year to succeed
If you would like to help, you can donate time, money, supplies, moving the Robot, etc…
Interested? Contact the team at [email protected]
Questions?Questions? Sponsored By: