Here is our 500 character "Executive Summary" Chairman's submittal for Impact on Community:
Team 1629 offers community events based on the FIRST sports model. During the past three years the team has supported a local robotics competition that has become known as SuGo or Sumo LEGO robotics. SuGo events have been held the first Sunday of every month for the last three years - providing a wonderful opportunity for many to collaborate, design, build, and compete! The past two years Team 1629 held special LEGO based robotics events as part of their community's special autumn festival. Below is a more detailed summary of how Team 1629 can easily communicate our excitement and impact within our schools, community, and beyond (state/nation) through participation in FIRST during the 2009/2010 team year as well as in prior years by highlighting the following points:
"Start spreading the news..."
Team 1629 students and mentors are continually talking about FIRST whenever and wherever practical. This spreads the word in our community and invites others to check us out.
Web Site
Team 1629 hosts a web site where we "share all with all". In our core belief of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition, we post for all to see our beliefs, experiences, robot history, challenges, triumphs, and failures. The web site is the main communication device for Team 1629.
Expert Advice
Team 1629's enthusiasm has infected the county! The county is preparing to build its first public indoor swimming pool (a very big deal for the county). As the architectural team was finalizing the plans, Team 1629 was consulted for expert advice/input on what was needed in the pool design to accommodate robotics. As a result, we were able to modify a 'wet classroom' design to accommodate the Sea Perch program with internet access ports, inclusion of elevated flat screen monitor, clean power for computers, and an in-wall pass through pipe for wires, computer cable, etc. This enhanced design will allow the robotics program to expand once the pool facility is completed.
State Recognition
Maryland State government officials have noticed our efforts. It is not common for an extremely rural robotics team to consistently perform well at competitions. However, this is exactly what GaCo (FRC, FTC, and FLL) has managed to do with our programs. We have received accolades from State Legislature Senators and Representatives as well as both Maryland United States Congress Senators!
Event Hosting
We host several Open Houses every year. These are attended by parents, students, and county officials from around the region. These allow us to demonstrate the importance of science and technology and help spread the word of FIRST.
We have helped form and mentor one Sea Perch Team in our county. This is an underwater robot program. While not necessarily FIRST related, it is a spin off that creates interest in science, technology and math.
We host SuGo. This is a combines Sumo wrestling and Lego into one event that is GREAT for the general public to get introduced to robotics. We host these several times a year, free of charge to the public.
Team 1629 is lucky enough to have a full size arena. Every year we construct the arena and game details at our home. We then invite other FRC teams to come over to practice. For many, it is the only time they have to become acquainted with the details of the field.
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