Think
Can you describe your team’s brainstorming process?
Discussed robot goals
Looked at past robots
Watched go-builda presentation
Watched robot in 30 hours videos
How did your team set your goals and strategies for this season?
Met at beginning of season to discuss points values and what our priorities would be.
Does your team perform any type of community service or outreach?
Outreach- Geek-fest, homecoming parade
Service- Decorating bags for Kid's Food Basket
Does your team have a sustainability plan?
We work together closely with our Lego League teams. Most of our new members come directly from that program. In addition our former FTC team members become our team members when they move on the FRC.
Is there an aspect of your robot that you consider unique or creative?
The lift
How did your team improve your robot throughout the season?
Conveyor speed
Intake move
Does your team reach out to new STEM professionals?
We meet the most professionals through parents of our team mates and sister teams. One of our assistant coaches is a design engineer, another has a background in programming. We also share a meeting site with our sister Twisted Devil teams and occasionaly seek advice from professionals mentoring their teams.
Who organizes your team or organization’s outreach or community service activities?
Our Marketing sub-team organizes these events
Does your team have a timeline for this season that aligns with your goals?
We start the season with a loose timeline and then adjust as needed while the season progresses. We like to complete our build with a few weeks for programming, and then allow about 2 weeks before our first competition for drive practice.
How did your team evaluate your design to ensure that it met your team’s goals?
Looked at back at our goals throughout the season to ensure that what we were working on fit. We did have to change some goals due to time constraints. At the beginning we wanted to do everything and we had to change some goals to be more realistic with the time allowed.
Can you tell us an example of a lesson your team learned while working on your robot this season?
One option; Adaptability, we made lots of changes throughout the season to he robot and had to adapt our driving each time.
Did your team create a learning plan this season?
Each of our sub-teams has a different plan. Programming- kicks off the season with programming classes.
Build- works on the basics first like building the chassis to practice their skills. Our CAD team
CAD- Starts with hat decorations and number plates
Marketing- starts with team buttons to practice design and pick our theme.
What has resulted from your team’s FIRST outreach activities?
We have introduced others to our program.
Robots in homecoming parade.
A chance for the republic to drive robots at Geek-fest.
How do you ensure new, or potential team members feel connected and engaged with the team from the start?
Our season started with a team building meeting. The high school mentors organized a capture the flag game for all of us to play together.
Did your team take any risks or unique approaches when building the robot for this season?
The lift
How did your team track accomplishments or challenges throughout the season?
Noting it in the portfolio
How does your team work with other FIRST teams in your area?
We share our build site with other Twisted Devil teams. We also offer our site Harper Creek and Galesburg teams for practice matches and programming help.
Has your team been able to successfully recruit anyone to participate in FIRST?
Many of our program's participants have found out about First through events like the homecoming parade. Many new Lego League members found us through these events and continue with the program through all of their school years.
How do you help grow team members into future leaders of the team?
Our students take on more responsibility each year that they return. Our 8th graders take on a leadership role on their sub-teams and work to ensure that our incoming students understand the process well.
Can you tell us what evolution or iteration that your robot features took this season?
The slower conveyor vs. the faster belt
The funneling artifacts into only one intake channel vs using both.
Did your team use a method to measure progress to their goals throughout the season?
to-do lists
goals from beginning of season- notes in portfolio
Has your team collaborated with FIRST teams outside of your area online or virtually?
While we haven't spoken directly from other teams we all benefit from watching videos other teams post online. We appreciate those teams that put the work in to make those videos.
Do you consider your team to be an ambassador for FIRST?
Geek-fest- Enjoy allowing community members to drive robots from previous years and telling them about what we are working on this season. This introduces our community to the First program.
How does your team balance short-term needs with long-term planning?
We make goals for each competition. Some things we can't finish for the first week but plan for future competitions.
What risks did your team identify with your design?
Being knocked over while lifting.
The lower accuracy of our shooting wheels.