Here is our 500 character "Executive Summary" Chairman's submittal for Innovative Methods to Spread FIRST:
Team 1629 determined that fundraising activities needed to be aligned to the teams efforts to spread the FIRST message to its community. As a result, the team focused on fundraising activites that encouraged interaction with people. The team came up with several successful events such as full service gas pumping and operating a shoe shine stand (for tips). As gas was pumping and shoes were shined, this approach gave students opportunity to talk to its community about why FIRST is important.
In addition, Team 1629 can easily show how we have spread the FIRST message in innovative ways by highlighting the following points:
Have Robot, Will Travel
Team 1629 routinely hosts demonstrations at local community events. Along with FLL and FTC, FRC gladly packs up our robot and travels to schools, fairs, parades, and other events to show off our robots, discuss the importance of science and technology education, and spread the message of FIRST. It is always interesting to see a float in the local parades with a functioning robot on board! Needless to say, it makes for some dynamic conversations!
Event Hosting
Field trips to GEARS are a routine occurrence in our area. Local elementary schools schedule field trips to GEARS (Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society, our home) to open the minds of students to the possibilities in science and technology. We put on a good show, the kids have fun, and everyone wins!
We host several Open Houses every year. These are attended by parents, students, and county officials from around the region. These allows 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.
Web Site
Team 1629 hosts a web site where we "share all with all". We post our beliefs, experiences, robot history, challenges, triumphs, and failures. The web site is the main communication device for Team 1629. Here are samples of some of the things on the site:
Pages dedicated to each FRC competition we have been involved with. These pages highlight:
Links to historical FRC games (game overview, arena descriptions, etc.)
Specification sheets for our robots
Links to YouTube videos of our robots
Links to safety videos
A page dedicated to our Partners and Sponsors (without whom we would not exist)
Schedules and Communication
Our Calendar of events
Event Highlights and links
Next Meeting time, date, place
A blog for our competitions
Puzzlers
We started posting 'mental gymnastic' exercises in 2009. The hope is to generate interest in these with more interest in FIRST.
YouTube
We actively use YouTube. We post videos of our robot, robot testing, robot design, and robot challenges for all to see. We believe that by sharing, all FRC teams will benefit.
GEARS
Team 1629 participated in the formation of the Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society (GEARS). This 501(c)(3) organization serves as a collector for all engineering, science, and math efforts in the county. Its 501(c)(3) status serves as a wonderful vehicle for tax deductable contributions! GEARS is involved in all the robotics efforts in our area!
Rural Team Roadmap
We recognize the challenges of starting a team in an extremely rural area. We have developed a roadmap resource that we have posted for others interested in starting rural teams. Please feel free to take a look. |
|
