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 AvonRobotics@comcast.net

Questions?Questions? Sponsored By: