Outreach

In addition to our online guide for How to Start a FIRST Robotics Team, we:

  • Work directly with our community to spread the word about FIRST robotics

  • Help new teams get started

  • Help other teams prepare for their tournaments

  • Help other teams during their tournaments

December 6, 2014

Brian and Anwesh traveled to the ThunderQuest FLL Qualifier with FLL9998 Mechanical Mustangs. They helped coach the team between matches and judging sessions. They also volunteered to help the event organizers clean up the judging rooms at the end of the day.

<<photos to come>>

December 6, 2014

Luke and Brevin traveled to the Livonia FTC Qualifier. They volunteered to help teams with programming.

November 30, 2014

Brian talked to FLL9998 Mechanical Mustangs students and mentors about what to expect during FLL judging sessions, then played the role of judge during a practice Q&A session.

November 29, 2014

Anwesh helped FLL9998 Mechanical Mustangs with the display board they'll use at their FLL tournament.

Six New Teams!

Six new teams formed after getting help via our Demo/Info event and follow-up sessions!

"And the Survey Says..."

We surveyed the people who attended our event and follow-ups, and here's what they had to say:

What did you find helpful about the Demo / Info event?

  • We didn't have any idea about the Robotics tournaments & how to start & where to start. The info session gave us the knowledge & a starting point.

  • My boys loved being able to drive the robot.

  • All the details on how the league works, how to assemble a team, what to expect all around was helpful.

  • Peaked our interest for sure.

What do you feel could be improved about the Demo / Info event?

  • Nothing! It was informative! Having seen some video from the main FIRST website, was really inspiring. It might motivate folks to form teams if they have a visual of what to expect at the event. Also the FIRST founders comments in the shirt video were great!

  • Nothing - you are doing a good job.

What did you find helpful about the follow-up sessions?

  • There was very detailed information given about FTC and FLL. I think all the sessions were very informative and helpful for both parents and students thinking of joining or starting a FTC team.

  • It helped to understand the finer details

  • Great, very well organized in attempts to inform of the process and bring people together.

  • We got leads on people who could join our team.

What do you feel could be improved about the follow-up sessions?

  • Some more info on the [details of] programming

Online Guide for How to Start an FLL or FTC team

August 8, 2014

We updated our website to include a detailed guide for starting an FLL or FTC team.

Overview

FLL and FTC Teams

  • Age/Grade ranges of FLL (FIRST LEGO League) and FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge)

  • Team Mentor Requirements - Defined by FIRST

  • Team Member and Mentor Requirements - Defined by Your Team

  • Fundraising

  • Websites and Wikis

  • Safety

FLL Teams

  • Overview of FLL season

  • How to Register a Team

  • Grants

  • Tools

  • Equipment

  • FLL Resources

FTC Teams

  • Overview of FTC season

  • How to Register a Team

  • Grants

  • Tools

  • Equipment

  • FTC Resources

Youth Robotics Info Follow-up Meeting #2 at Canton Public Library

August 3, 2014

We hosted a second follow-up meeting for interested families. We're now working to convert the outlines and notes from those meetings into an easy to follow set of pages here on our site.

Approximately 15 people attended, representing approximately 10 families.

Youth Robotics Info Follow-up Meeting #1 at Canton Public Library

July 28, 2014

We hosted a follow-up meeting for parents of interested students.

Approximately 20 people attended, representing approximately 15 families.

Agenda Items

  • How to Register a Team

    • What does it cost?

    • What does it include?

  • Grants and Fundraising

    • What grants are available?

    • Fundraising Ideas

  • Team Budgets

    • Registration

    • Parts

    • Supplies

    • Miscellaneous

  • Tools and Equipment

    • FLL

    • FTC

  • Websites and Wikis

  • Choosing build-kits and software (FTC)

  • Safety

  • Team Member and Mentor Requirements - defined by your team

    • Code of Conduct

    • Responsibilities

    • Disciplinary Action

  • Team Mentor Requirements - defined by FIRST

  • Youth Protection Program

Youth Robotics Info / Demo Event at Canton Public Library

June 12, 2014

Co-Host, with 6689 RoboRockets and 7150 TechnoBots

Team Robotium worked together with two other award-winning teams to spread the word about robotics in general and the FIRST (www.usfirst.org) family of programs in particular.

This event was FREE and provided info and resources to help people join or start a team. We focused on teams for Elementary (FLL) and Middle Schools (FTC), but also helped people find info about High School teams (FRC).

This event was open to all who were interested, regardless of community or school district.

Approximately 100 people attended, representing approximately 60 families.

34 parents repesenting 46 students, 11 schools, and 4 communities signed up with Robotium to receive more information.

We had three FTC robots and one FLL robot available for demos and let visitors drive them on the real competition game fields.

If you have questions about how your team can organize this type of event in your area, we'd love to help. Email us at team7337@gmail.com

If you would like to get started with FIRST robotics and would like more information, you can: