Robostangs

Q: How often do you have to attend meetings?

A: You must attend 70% of meetings. How many times a week depends on what area you join, and what day they meet. Lunchtime meetings on Saturdays are mandatory.

Q: What does each group generally work on?

A: Imagery- How our team looks. What our team wears at events, and detailed recordings of what our team does at events through photography and video.

Outreach- How our team helps our community. Mentoring JFLL teams, FLL teams, and FTC teams.

Design Development- Design, program, build, and operate robot.

System Integrations- Manages scouting at competitions and helps devise a strategy for our team. Such as whom we will pick for our alliance during eliminations.

Business & Finance- Raises funds to support the team. Also, organizes team documents and travel for the team to and from competitions.

Q: What is the difference between CAD and programming?

A: CAD designs parts for the robot, and the robot assembly, whereas programming writes code and programs the robot to function on a pre-designed field.

Q: What is the difference between regional and district events?

A:Michigan only has districts, which qualify you for states. However, many other states have regional competitions. If you place high enough in a regional event you will automatically be eligible to attend the FIRST National competition.

Q: Why do I have to wear black pants to competitions?

A: It’s the team uniform. It also makes our team look professional and unified. This represents the image of our team. Imagery is in charge of keeping the image of our team in check.

Q: Who can try out for drive team?

A: Anyone can try out for drive team!

Q: How many outreach hours must I complete?

A: You must attend two community outreach events ( FLL or JFLL volunteer competitions, Vic fest, Competition set-ups/take-downs etc.) and a total of at least eight hours of community outreach, not including RoboCamp.

Q: How do you get your varsity letter in robotics?

A:

• Achieve a 70% attendance record to team/group meetings per year of team
• Two years of team membership \
• Total of two whole days of Robocamp.
• Help set up or take down at least oneMichigancompetition.
• Complete twenty three Outreach hours ( 8 mandatory for all team members and 15 additional) and attend four Outreach events.
• Participate in fundraising for the team
• Complete the Safety Course
• Attend a minimum of one FRC competition for each year of membership

Q: What if I don’t know how to use the tools in the shop?

A: Most people join robotics not knowing anything about the tools. You will be taught as you go from senior members. You can also ask any older parent or mentor.

Q: How do I receive a team hat?

A: You can receive a team hat by passing a test after build season. The tests are almost always on safety or game rules.

Q: How can I earn Outreach hours?

A: Outreach hours may be obtained by doing any kind of volunteer work for/with the team. If you need to complete more hours, try talking to the Outreach leader and see when and where the next Outreach event is taking place.

Q: Who do I contact about meetings for different groups?

A: Ask the leader of your group when they meet. If you cannot find them ask the team captain, and they will find someone who knows. Meetings are also posted on the cabinet.

Q: Who do I talk to about bringing in food for the meetings?

A: Someone is assigned to be the group leader on the day you are assigned to bring in the snack/breakfast/lunch. Refer to the food schedule to verify the group leader.

Q: What are some basic shop safety rules?

A: Always wear safety glasses when using any kind of equipment. Tuck in anything that is hanging off of your shirt, especially draw strings. If you’re not sure how to do something ask, don’t try to figure it out on your own.

Q: Do you have to attend all the days of an event? Do you have to miss school on Friday?

A: You do not have to attend all the days of an event, but it is highly recommended. Not everyone misses school on the Fridays of competitions. As long as you can find a ride to the competition, and you are cheering on the team, you will be fine. Always check in with the scouting leader to see what teams you need to scout during the days you are here.

Q: Who do I talk to about carpooling for a competition?

A: Talk with whoever is in charge of Travel. Always have the phone number of a parent mentor in case you need an emergency ride to or from the competition.

Q: What do I do at an event if I am not on the drive team?

A: Scouting,  cheering for our team, watching other team’s games, collecting buttons from other teams, and helping out at any of our booths. There is a lot to do at competitions!

Q: Why do I have to do scouting?

A: Scouting is something we do to become more familiar with other teams. Since there are close to 50 teams at some competitions it is important for everyone to do a little scouting. Plus it’s a great way to start learning more about other teams.

The rules for this year’s challenge, Rebound Rumble, were released today.  The rule book for this year is available at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents

Click here for pdf of flyer

Order Form

The link above is the order form for this year’s calender fund raiser. Print off one of these sheets for each order and send it to the address on the sheet.

Workshops Dates 
Tuesday       November 8th -  No School

Wednesday November 9th -  630 to 730 – New Member Workshop – Students should attend – Parents also welcome to find out what Robostangs and FIRST is all about !
730 to 830 – Safety & Shop Overview - MANDATORY  for all new and returning students planning to be in the shop this year!

Thursday      November 10th – 630 to 730 – Business and Finance
730 to 830 – Imagery

Tuesday       November 15th – 630 to 730 – Robot Overview - Great for Students and Parents !
730 to 830 – Community Outreach
730 to 830 – Electrical (yes – same time as Outreach)

Thursday      November 17th – 630 to 730 – Systems Integration
730 to 830 – Programming

No Workshops Thanksgiving Week

Tuesday       November 29th – 630 to 730 – CAD
Tuesday       November 29th – 730 to 830 – Animation

Thursday     December 1st – OPEN

Thursday     December 8th – 630 – 830 - All Hands Meeting and Holiday Party with Charitable Donation - DETAILS TO FOLLOW !!

SATURDAY – JANUARY 7TH – FIRST SEASON KICK OFF AND GAME ANNOUNCEMENT @ NOVI HIGH SCHOOL - MANDATORY!

PRE-SEASON MEETING SCHEDULE

• Build and Programming will continue to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays  from 600 to 800 and on Saturday from 1000am to 200pm.  Other groups are welcome to come to the school if they need to meet – all team members interested in learning build or programming should come!

Pay to Play

• $100.00 Pay to Play per family is due to the box in Ms Fisette’s room also by November 4th
• Make checks payable to Northville High School – Robotics (you can combine payments on one check)

Orange Tie-Dye T-shirt – “The Team Uniform”!

• Attached is the T-shirt order form
• Every team member must have a T-shirt - most students put a name on the back
• Adults are also welcome to order t-shirts or polo shirts to wear to the events!  We are a sea of orange in the stands!
• NEW THIS YEAR: YOUTH SIZES!   Siblings (or smaller fans) are welcome to order the youth size shirts!
• T-shirt orders are due by November 4th to the box in Ms Fisette’s room.  Please print the order form and return by November 4th – checks should be made out to Northville High School - Robotics.

Download: Robostangs Spirit Wear Order Form 11-12