FIRST Robotics
Team 151
Nashua, NH

Congratulations on deciding to join Nashua Tough Techs FIRST Robotics Team 151. This guide provides an understanding of the program and responsibilities of team members, including information relating to team history, membership requirements, team structure, parent participation, team rules and guidelines, competition events, travel and other central aspects of the team.

This handbook was developed and modified from the handbooks developed by previous 151 Team Handbooks and BOW Community Robotics FIRST robotics team. It is intended to provide you and your family with information about the program and your responsibilities as a team member. Please read it carefully and share the information with your parents/guardians.

Just as all of a robot’s parts work toward a common functional goal, members of our team have shared goals as well. Knowledge of the information in the handbook will enable our team to work as a unit. FIRST, “For Inspiration and Research in Science and Technology,” provides opportunities for building robots, sharing information with other teams around the world, competing at a high but cooperative level, and inspiring others to enjoy science and technology. Welcome to an exceptional opportunity to create, build and learn. Find more information at www.botsofwar151.org.

Team 151 (Formally known as the Wild Cards and now known as the Tough Techs) started with a company named Ferrofluidics for the 1991-1992 robotics season. The relationship lasted until one year later when Ferrofluidics ended their brief sponsorship with Nashua High School. Nashua High School's Science Department did not want to lose such a valuable teaching tool, so they approached Sanders, their “Partners in Education,” to present to them the positive aspects of supporting the FIRST Robotics program. They planted the seed and their goals for a corporate sponsor became a reality. Since 1993, Team 151 and Sanders (formerly known as BAE) bonded by the FIRST mantra of technology and gracious professionalism. The school and the corporation were in a win-win situation: the students were mentored by Sanders Engineers while the company was developing future employees for the corporation's family. The relationship continued to grow throughout the corporation's many buy-outs and changes. Each subsequent owner recognized the value of the FIRST program as the vehicle for future engineers for the company (now called BAE SYSTEMS) and therefore kept the program going. The students continued to glean knowledge from the engineers and, as a result, the team won the 1995 Chairman's Award, as well as many technical and animation awards.

In 2001, Team 166 lost their sponsor and approached BAE, resulting in altering the way Nashua High School was used to performing their tasks. The team now had to share their sponsor, the working area, machine shop, equipment and tools. No longer did they have 100% of each engineer’s time: everything had to be shared. This was a drastic change for the students but, believing in the Gracious Professionalism of FIRST, they embraced Team 166 as the new siblings to the BAE FIRST family. Team 151 and Team 166 shouted enthusiastically at the competitions: “TWO Bots, ONE Team.”

From 2002 on, BAE slowly gave the reins of responsibility back to the school while still being their corporate sponsor. This allowed BAE to spread its corporate wings to save more FIRST teams from folding over due to lack of sponsors. There were a lot of growing pains but the team was determined to positively take ownership. Team 151 felt more empowered and in control of their team. As a result of the many changes through the years, Team 151 has matured, grown stronger and they now realize that working hard and being responsible for what they are doing can be very satisfying.

Since 2004, Team 151 has made an effort to build the robot using the high schools' facilities. In 2005 about 50% of the manufactured parts were produced at BAE, and in 2006 more than 99% of the robot was fabricated by students in the high school machine shop.

Team 151's primary sponsor is BAE Systems, who provides mentors and resources to aid our team. In the past, Got-Ink-4U and BAWLS have been key supporters for their success, fundraising LAN parties with donations of supplies and materials. Panera Bread restaurants in Nashua have donated delicious baked goods to expand our fundraising opportunities during LAN parties and Lego League competitions.

In 2006, Team 151 received the “Best Website” award for the now-defunct toughtechs.org. The team's new website is at nashua151.org. In addition to a brand new design, the team website also includes an alternative “classic view” to satisfy those fond of the original look of the site.

In 2016, the team left the Nashua School District and proceeded to move into MakeIt Labs. The team has been thriving at the MakeIt Labs ever since we moved.

In 2018

The FRC team is associated with MakeIt Labs and hosted on their premises. We have a limited student capacity. That said, the team is open to any high school student provided space is available; However, students outside of the Greater Nashua area will need greater parent involvement. Due to the location of MakeIt Labs, the majority of the team will be comprised of Nashua, NH area students.

The majority of the team’s funding comes from local business sponsors. An FRC team’s costs range from $10,000-20,000 per competition season.

All student participants in the program will need a consent form signed by their parent or guardian, along with a signed MakeIt Labs waiver.

Unlike most varsity team activities at district high schools, Team 151 has no try-outs or entrance requirements. No prior experience is required. Nashua Tough Techs is an open team, welcoming all who wish to participate. The wide variety of experiences and opportunities offers students the chance to find their niche in the team.

While there are no prerequisites for joining the team, Team 151 has standards of participation and behavior that are necessary for the success of each member and for the team as a whole. Meeting these standards provides individuals the opportunity for the privileges of leadership positions, travel opportunities, and recommendations for possible scholarships.

1. Members attend meetings during non-build season, a majority of the build sessions during build season, and team functions as necessary. Team 151 participates in skill development programs and outreach events throughout the year. With the understanding that bright students often have varied interests and commitments, team members stay informed of team events and participate as much as possible. Establishing a record of dependability and punctuality is essential for team organization and efficiency.
   
2. Parents of members are encouraged to participate actively in team activities and help in team operations. Without the participation of generous and experienced team parents, members are well aware that opportunities would be very limited. Appreciation and respect for these volunteers is central to Team 151.
   
3. All members must take the Team Safety course. No member can participate in shop or pit activities without taking this orientation.
   
4. Members must demonstrate appropriate character/behavior. All members of Team 151 rely on each other for the success of the group. Everyone is expected to bring the best of his/her abilities to the group. The competitions are mentally and physically demanding, time consuming and expensive; all involved should behave as motivated young adults with integrity and the greatest regard for others. Members should demonstrate the following attributes:
   
   • Good Judgment and Positive Behavior: Each team member is an ambassador of the community at large. Team members are role models for other students to emulate and respect. Mature behavior, including dedication, competence, patience, and leadership, should be demonstrated both in and out of school activities.
     
   • Ability to commit to a project: Starting a project and following it through to the end is critical to team success. Team members need to dedicate themselves and not get sidetracked or discouraged. Your word is very important. Don’t take on a responsibility you can’t perform. Ask for help if you are having problems with a project.
     
   • Ability to Work Both Independently and as a Team Member: Being able to be a team player, or doing what is needed for the team, is an asset to all. However, working independently when necessary shows dedication and willingness to learn.
     
   • Demonstration of Honesty and Integrity: Honesty and integrity are foundational attributes of a quality person. Our teamwork depends on the integrity of its members the way a robot depends on the integrity of its parts. Integrity includes knowing what a person believes in as well as leading in word and deed.
     
   • Time to Spend on Activities: This team requires many hours of a student’s time. Careful planning and scheduling are required to stay actively involved.
     
   • Respect for the Work Areas: All students participate in keeping the work areas clean and organized as they work, and in particular, at the close of each workday. This is critical for safety and shows respect for the fact that this is space donated to us. It is respectful to our mentors to own the responsibility of keeping the workspace clean.
     
   • Appropriate attire: Proper clothing should be worn for safety purposes and out of respect for team participation.
     
   • Appropriate focus: As membership on a robotics team involves a great investment of energy, skill, money, thought, cooperation, and time from people at so many levels, team members should participate with good focus. Attention to the task at hand is essential for safety and success in our goals. At events and in the workshop, members should avoid distractions that can compromise both team goals and opportunities for personal growth in the field of technology.

- Members of the team participate in areas that interest them. For those with the desire and aptitude, there are positions open for individual students to demonstrate and enhance leadership skills. Students who wish to be considered for these positions are typically veteran members with at least a year’s experience on the team.

Team Leadership Council- Each of the sub-teams has a sub-team lead. The Team Leadership Council is made up of the leads from the sub-teams listed below. Sub-team Leads recruit and train new members, organize and hold safety training sessions, keep their sub-team members on track during build season, and communicate the sub-team status and needs to the team leads and mentors.
- Sub-Teams: Team 151 is made of several Sub-teams that coordinate throughout the year. By dividing into specialized groups, students are able to focus on specific goals of FIRST. As seasons vary according to the demands of the challenges put forward by FIRST, our structure is organized but also fluid enough to adjust to new requirements. The following is a list of many but not all of the sub-teams.

• Business Team: The business team keeps the appearance of our team updated and attractive to the public and possible future team members, they make sure that we stay in contact with our current sponsors, and work towards recruiting new sponsors for the upcoming seasons. This part of the team also is heavily involved in planning the team’s activities, documenting our community outreach and accomplishments, and doing public relations work to keep us visible in the community.
  
• Business Lead: The business lead is responsible for sponsorship, fundraising, spirit wear, social media, award submissions, documentation, and keeping our team visible and involved in the community. The business lead works closely with our team’s boosters, coordinating event staffing, travel, and many other things.
  
• CADD: The CADD team is an extremely important group, during the season they make sure any new people are learning what they need to know in order to create parts in our CADD software. They have to draft all of the pieces that are going to make up the robot before anyone can go out and produce them, the computer model helps us make sure that the pieces will all fit together properly when we physically produce them.
  
• CADD Lead: The CADD lead is responsible to effectively teaching other students the basics of CADD. Then during the season, they must manage the parts, full assembly and creating the drawings of the different components of our robot.
  
• Electrical: This team coordinates the wiring of the robot, including all power and communication systems. They also make sure that mechanical and electrical interaction is not conflicting, and that it is a smooth system.
  
• Electrical Lead: The electrical lead is responsible for effectively teaching other students basic electrical concepts, and the functions of the different electrical components of the robot.
  
• Software: This team designs software components to run on the robot. Each software component has their unique functionality based on the requirements of each FIRST robot competition games. This team also develops the Java-based software necessary to drive the robot in both autonomous and teleoperated modes.
  
• Software Lead: The software lead is responsible for effectively teaching other students the basics of coding, and specifically how to write code to program our robot. During the season, they must delegate and write the code for the robot.
  
• Mechanical: These teams fabricate and assemble the robot during the build phase. The jobs vary depending on the direction of the mechanical mentors and the abilities of the students. They are ready to make revisions and repairs at competitions and throughout the season.
  
• Mechanical Lead: The mechanical lead is responsible for teaching students how to operate hand tools and basic machinery. They also teach students how to effectively design a robot. During build season, the mechanical lead helps work on prototypes, assemble the chassis, and help build the final attachments for the robot.
  
• Mechatronics Lead: The Integration lead is the manager of all things pertaining to the construction of the robot.. They are responsible for managing and supervising all of the subteams, making sure they stay connected with effective communication, as well as scheduling the build season, managing resources effectively to keep on schedule, using process to facilitate integration and system level planning, making administrative decisions, efficient tasking, and season documentation. The tech lead is the overseer of all technical aspects of the team. This lead’s responsibility is communicating with each subteam regarding training/build schedule, keeping track of who needs what parts ordered.
  
• Team Lead: The team lead manages administrative and build season aspects of the team. They ensure communication between members, leads, mentors and boosters. All team meeting are organized and led by the team lead. The lead also manages logistics for transportation to competitions and updates the handbook. The team lead manages the long term direction of the team, and is usually the final say on most smaller issues on the team.
  
• Safety Lead:
  
• Secretary:
  
• Rules Czar:
  

The procedure for selection leads involves cooperation from the student body and the mentors. The students vote on members to become potential leads, and the mentors decide from the pool through leadership training classes and interviews. The process begins when an interested non rookie member of the team fills out an application to run, which will put his name on the ballot. Team members are allowed to campaign but in a non disruptive manner. For example, talking to people and trying to convince them to vote for you is okay, while starting an entire rally during a robotics meeting is not okay. Team members will fill out a semi anonymous ballot for each subteam lead, along with non subteam positions( the mentors will be the only ones able to see your name and ballot). After the ballots are counted, the top three(?) people for each subteam will be required to attend a leadership camp during a the summer and early fall where they will be taught leadership skills while being monitored by the mentors for a future position as a lead. The mentors will interview everyone during the length of the leadership training, and right as pre season starts, the mentors will make a decision as to who they want.

5.25 Lead “Interns”: Leads will have an opportunity to select one or more “interns” to take under their wing to show them what being a lead is actually like. The intern has no actual authority unless the lead gives them power, they are only there to observe and occasionally do jobs that the lead deems necessary. Interns are highly encouraged and in fact get a large heads up compared to other members in terms of lead selection, as they already have the experience in a low stress environment. Every team member is encouraged to ask their subteam lead to become an “intern.”

One commitment to the team is that of time. Time commitments on average is as follows:

Members – 70 hours, at least 60 in build season, at least 45 in one, primary sub-group

Sub-team captain/leads – 100 hours, at least 80 in build season, at least 65 to your sub-group

Integration Lead– 150 hours, at least 100 in build season

Team Lead- 150 hours, at least 50 in build season.

The growth and education of Team 151 depends largely upon adult team members. Typically, the adults are teachers, parents of students, and interested members of the community.

The mentors of our team are dedicated adults working hard to make the season a success. They provide knowledge, experience, and insight into the design and construction of our robots. Their ultimate goal is to train members of the team to work knowledgeably on the robot or for the team and, eventually, independently of them. At all times, during build season and competitions, we respect their decisions and appreciate the judgment and experience they provide.

On trips, mentors’ logistical requests and decisions are respected. Disrespect results in serious consequences necessary to maintain the unity and order of the team.

Each lead has at least one dedicated mentor.

Background checks for mentors are mandated by FIRST and provided through Youth Protection Program.

Parents are an integral part of our team and are very important to our continued success. All parents can find a role in promoting the goals of the team, from helping to design the robot, to monitoring the door, to providing weekend meals for the team during the season. Parents’ support in all aspects of team involvement is a key factor in the motivation, dedication, and success of their student.

Parents have several opportunities for participation, which include:

• To provide timely transportation for the student.

• To participate in a variety of ways from time to time during the year, including:

o Providing baked goods or meals during the build season.

o Helping out at outreach programs.

O Working “door duty” on meeting days

o Driving students to fundraising locations.

Parents are encouraged to consider becoming a mentor in one of the many areas that require leadership on the team.

Parents are required to:

• Provide accurate medical information to the lead mentor, and to keep mentors informed of all changes.

• Provide contact information, such as name, home phone, cell phone, mailing and eMail addresses, to be used for general and emergency communication.

• Provide moderate financing of their son or daughter’s expenses, such as team t- shirts and meal expenses.

Team members take an active role in funding the team. While the Business Sub-team organizes events, all members participate in obtaining financial support for our goals. Students and parents work within the community to develop team sponsorships and grants for each season.

Communication, both reading and responding, is vital for team coordination. Our primary means of communication is through the Slack app. Members are required to subscribe individually and to their sub team’s channel.

All students are expected to have an active email address and to check periodically for team communication on a regular basis. Members monitor email at least once a day, and twice a day during build season. Responding to messages and communicating plans and ideas is not only productive but respectful.

Every team member should be on Slack and check it regularly.

Sub-team leads will provide the Integration Lead with daily summaries of the day’s activity which will be posted in the “Robo Diary” channel on Slack.

Outside of January and February, students work on many aspects of preparation and skill- building. This is the time that each team member’s focus of interest develops so that he/she can determine to which sub-teams to commit. Strong fall preparation makes for less stress during the competition.

Before the first meeting, you need to get the word out about the team. Make posters and place them around both Nashua High North and South, write something short to submit to the North and South announcements to run every day. Tell people about the team in every way you can think of. The team has Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google+, bring those accounts to life with new postings about how you’re gearing up for the new season.

The first meeting is meant to be a night of introduction, this year we did a formal presentation with an overview of FIRST, and a breakdown of the different sections of our team. After the presentation we rotated the kids who attended in small groups through small Q&A icebreakers with each sub-team lead. After the first meeting, training takes place every night that you meet, so make sure you have a plan for what and how you’re going to educate the kids who come to you.

After the first meeting we hold a parent night, where the student leads present the same material for the parents that they did for the first meeting, and the boosters lead will give an additional presentation to the parents. This night is when we ask the parents to become part of our boosters team, the boosters do a lot of work for our team and we wouldn’t be able to function fully without them.

All members will attend safety training before build season begins. A test will be administered and must be passed before a member can work on the robot.

General Guidelines:

No horseplay

Use power tools and machines only if you have been trained by certified staff/mentor

Clean-up all trash, tools and materials at end of workday

Report any concerns to sub-team lead and mentors.

If you can see the robot, you must wear protective glasses.

Tie back long hair.

No loose clothing or open toed shoes near robot

During the intense build season in January and February, a demanding schedule of six days a week can be typical. Times are determined by the availability of mentors and students. Team members prepare for this time commitment by using time wisely, focusing on their grades as well as team goals, exercising choices for good health, and planning ahead. Parents share in the commitment by providing meals, driving, and mentoring in the many areas of the competition. The intensity of the demands is reflected in the intensity of the enjoyment of the competitions that begin at the end of February and can continue into April.

Each year, FIRST produces a Kick-Off Day gathering. A team will be sent to Manchester, NH to watch the launch live and retrieve the Kit of Parts. The remainder of the team will gather to watch the live kick-off announcement and then proceed to brainstorm idea for the year’s robot.

Behavior In that Gracious Professionalism as defined by FIRST is central to participation in FIRST, a team member’s behavior is under scrutiny at all times. Members represent Team 151, our corporate sponsors, and US FIRST. At events, school, or within the community good character described by FIRST’s Gracious Professionalism should be inherent in our thinking and in our actions.

Within the team conflicts may arise as a result of the close nature of team projects and travel. All team participants should stay positive and constructive, refraining from rumors and negative comments about one another. If a problem arises, a student should speak to a mentor immediately. Physical conflict is not allowed. If a physical confrontation arises, both students may be disciplined, which may include termination of membership.

Inappropriate Behaviors These behaviors include but are not limited to: running, pushing and shoving, (negative) name calling, leaving a disorderly workspace, fighting, swearing, stealing, and all other activities that reflect negatively on the team. Conversations that undermine team unity and respect for leaders are not only counterproductive but destructive; words either build or tear down—if it is not constructive, it is inappropriate.

If a need arises for a member to require a leave of absence, said member must alert a mentor(s) of their leave ahead of time in order to allow arrangements to be made. There is an excusable leave of absence in the event of personal or family emergency.

Sign in and out on every visit

Enter MakeIt Labs only if mentors are present

When leaving, wait for your ride inside the building

Do not leave MakeIt Labs without an adult unless leaving for the day

Contact only designated MakeIt Labs liaisons

2 adults per 8 students at all times in Auto Plot

1 adult per 8 students in MakeIt Labs

Be respectful of other members’ space working in the Lab

Do not enter the 2nd floor, basement or warehouse

Do not use any machineries in MakeIt Labs unless accompanied and approved by adult mentors

Students need to be cooperative at all times, including cooperating with requests of mentors and parent leaders. Ignoring the directions or request of a mentor is not in the team’s best interest. If a team member feels that a request is out of order, he/she is encouraged to complete the task and then speak to the mentoring staff at a later, more appropriate time.

If a student’s behavior is found to be unsafe or otherwise inappropriate, the student may be disciplined as necessary by a mentor for the overall good of the team. The lead mentor will be apprised of the situation, so that policies can be enforced. The student’s parents will be informed of any disciplinary actions as soon as possible.

A. The first time a student demonstrates unsafe or concerning behavior the mentor will give the student a verbal reprimand, or take other appropriate action.

B. The second time the student demonstrates unproductive behavior, the mentor may decide to formally document behavior.

C. For the third offense, the mentor will contact the parents telling them of their child's unacceptable behavior.

D. On the fourth offense, the student will be suspended from competition attendance with the team as needed.

We aim to begin prototyping in the first few days of build season, so that we can finalize a design quickly and move on to the things that take the most time. General prototyping takes 1 week maximum and refined prototyping takes another week. Prototyping starts immediately after the kickoff video and will take up at least the majority of the day, along with rule planning. Prototyping is done in a meeting with the integration lead running the meeting, and taking the opinions of members and mentors and ultimately leading to a consensus about the direction of the robot.

Competition Season Team 151 attends a variety of events year round spanning from February through November. These competitions can range from one to four day events depending on the nature of the event. No matter the length of the event, each event consists of: travel/setup, qualification matches, alliance selections, elimination matches, award ceremony, and packing up/travel back. The Team Leader for each event will provide team members and parents with the proper information. Events can range from local events within commuting distance of the school/facility to cross country trips. Travel for overnight trips are arranged by the team.

There are certain practices that lead to success, setting the team up to earn awards and the respect of the FIRST community.

Cheering: Cheering is more than just yelling at the top of your lungs. True cheering is enjoying the event and celebrating the excitement of the moment. While cheering 100% of the time would be exhausting, participation in this experience is not only fun but valuable. Sitting in the stands looking bored or carrying on personal conversations while others are cheering does not encourage team spirit.

Supporting our Competitors: During the award ceremony, standing applause is the respectful response when other teams are recognized for their accomplishments. Disrespect in any form (booing, jeering) is highly inappropriate and will be punished.

Greetings: Many mentors and judges return year after year to competitions. Making an effort to show your recognition and appreciation is good sportsmanship and makes FIRST more than just a competition.

Litter: Keeping both the pit and seating area tidy is safe, respectful, and pleasant for all.

• Wear or use personal music devices during times when full attention is needed.

• Engage in negative behavior toward another team or team member.

• Display unsportsmanlike behavior over any decision by a referee or judge.

• Exchange negative remarks to each other, no matter what the situation.

Competitions are important to the team for the goals they present. Each member is assigned to fulfill a role that is vital to our success both on and off the field. Competition roles may carry over from the build season, but students are assigned jobs specific to each event. Team members carry out their roles to the best of their ability. No one job is more important than the other.

The Scouting Team includes members with a wide range of skills and knowledge, as scouting involves evaluating the capabilities of the competing robots and recording scores and consistency of performance. Scouting encompasses data entry and analysis of competing robots. The goal is to provide information for “alliance selections,” the process by which teams are formed for the finals of the competition. The importance of this information cannot be overemphasized, as winning combinations are teams that rely on each other for success.

The pit crew is responsible for setup and teardown of the team’s pit area, robot inspection, and the maintaining of physical sub-systems during the event. Pit crew members must be knowledgeable of the robot sub-systems, efficient, cooperative and professional workers under pressure, and able to work effectively as a member of the team.

The drive team is responsible for the on-field operation of the robot during the course of the competition. Being a member of the drive team is no small task. Members must have concrete knowledge of all game rules, be able to perform in high pressure, timed situations, possess clear, focused communication skills, work well as a team, and operate our robot to its full potential in a safe manner. Members will be required to attend multiple training sessions each week to prepare for competition events.

Drive Team selection will be done through two stages. A theory stage and a practical stage. The theory stage will involve a written test that must be taken separately by each interested member. This test must be taken on one day only to prevent cheating. If someone cannot attend the test day, they are automatically disqualified from drive team selection. The next portion is the practical test. This can be taken with a partner, or one will be assigned if you cannot find one. This test will involve practical skills such as driving the bot, operating primary and secondary functions on it (i.e a robot arm for grabbing something) and doing so in an accurate and timely manner.

Scores from both test sections will be compiled and mentors will choose a drive team and an alternate drive team in case substitutions are needed.

Our team competes with teams from around New England under the District Model. Our team will compete at two District events during the month of March that consist of an evening of setup and inspection, followed by two days of competition. Teams collect points from their two events with the top 32 teams attending the New England District Championship competition held in early April. After an evening of setup and inspections, the Regional Championship consists of three days of competition, ending in on-field finals and other awards that send the top teams to the highest level of FIRST competition. At the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, teams compete with other teams from around the world.

If they wish, teams may compete at Regional events held across the country. A regional event is much like a District event except with an additional day of competition and more competitors. Winners of a Regional Competition and specified awards will qualify directly for the World Championship.

The First World Championship Event The Championship Competition is very similar to the state championship in many ways but on a much larger scale. Whereas the state championship might have 32 to 40 teams, the FIRST World Championship has around 400 teams from all across the country and around the world. In addition to FIRST Robotics competitions, there are competitions of FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge as well.

Team 151 has attended the Championship Events in St. Louis, where each has been an exciting opportunity to travel, meet new friends, and show the world what we can do. They have also been an outstanding educational experience, where we have learned volumes, not only about how to build a better robot, but also about how to build a better team.

Our team may participate in pre- and post-season competitions (between May and November). Our involvement in these activities will depend upon financing, timing and the availability of our team members. Most of these competitions are local and will not involve organized travel. Participation in these events is encouraged, as they provide a fun and low-stress chance to let new members experience driving, robot maintenance and repair, and the camaraderie of the rest of the season.

Fall FLL Mentoring

Hosting FLL Competition

Hosting GSD

Tech Week

Secure Dates - email hyness@

FLL Camps

Secure Dates

Secure counselor (student) availability

Define curriculum & schedules

Create brochures (edit existing)

Advertise

Confirm roster

Camp Details:

Age range: 6-14

Time: 8:00am-2:00pm

Kid to counselor ratio: 5:1

Maximum kids: 30

Cost per kid: $175

Dates: Change year to year, usually mid-july to last week in August (3 camps depending on how much interest there is)

The FIRST Robotics program is an excellent way to explore the career of engineering. During this program students are exposed to many principles of engineering and the mentoring skills of the engineers. While not all students will go into the field of engineering, team members benefit from discovering the many careers in and associated with engineering. For this purpose, the connection between mentors and team members is invaluable. There are many scholarship opportunities associated with the FIRST program. The mentors will be providing information regarding these as soon as they are made available. There is also information listed on the FIRST web site at www.usfirst.org.

Over 200 companies, organizations and schools offer over 50 million dollars in scholarship opportunities to FIRST team members annually. The schools involved can be found at the FIRST web site. Scholarship opportunities for the new FIRST Robotics Competition season are typically finalized by September 30 of the previous year, and are posted on the FIRST web site. Deadline for scholarship application submissions is typically early to mid-March. Scholarship contributors select recipients by early April, and notify FIRST of the recipients’ name and team number. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Championship event in mid April.

These are the standard forms that all students will be asked to complete and submit.

Required each year.

This is a fluid document, and it is important that you fully understand the information contained herein. It is updated to include clarifications and new information as needed. As substantive changes are made to the basic document, updates will be distributed which must also be signed and returned for continued participation in the team.

US First (501c3) INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL www.usfirst.org First Robotics Competition (FRC) / First Tech Challenge (FTC) / First Lego League (FLL, FLLjr)

Nashua Tough Techs (nonprofit) COMMUNITY www.nashua151.org FRC (First Robotics Competition)

LEAD MENTORS:

STUDENT TEAM LEAD:

TEAM 151 MEETING LOCATION: MakeIt Labs, 25 Crown St, Nashua, NH 03060

WEBSITE: nashua151.org

SOCIAL MEDIA:(CHECK PLEASE)

Facebook: Tough Techs 151

YouTube: Tough Techs 151

Instagram: @nashuatoughtechs

Twitter: @nashuatoughtechs

ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES

FIRST Main Organization: www.usfirst.org

NH FIRST - State Organization: www.nhfirstrobotics.org

Chief Delphi – Really great blog: www.chiefdelphi.com

Team #151 -Tough Techs Student Application –

Congratulations on your decision to participate in the Team 151 Tough Techs FIRST Robotics Team. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1992 with 28 teams and has since grown to over 3,100 teams in 40 countries. The robotics competition is an international event where high school students and professionals solve an engineering design problem in an intense and interactive learning environment. FIRST redefines winning for these students. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last. It is not only about building the robot.

The robot is only a vehicle for a learning experience that lasts a lifetime. We are exposed to and practice the concept of “Gracious Professionalism”. A key aspect for the success of any team is teamwork. It goes beyond the group of students, because it integrates mentors from the hi-tech industries, parents, and sponsors, all working together.

Our team is like any other competitive extracurricular activity – it requires commitment, time, and energy. Engineers from industry, businessmen, parent volunteers and community members dedicate many hours of their time to making the team a success. We expect nothing less from you.

This is a volunteer based program and runs after school and weekends. Each year a new competition challenge is unveiled at the beginning of January. The teams then have only six weeks to strategize, design, build, and program a robot to meet the challenge. The participants learn to apply science, math, and technology to the design, construction, programming, and troubleshooting of a 120-pound robot.

Schedule

The current meeting schedule and time commitment includes the following:

During the “Pre–‐season” (September – December):

Training Sessions, as required (To Be Determined) – minimum of one day per week, two hours per day. There may be additional meetings on Saturdays and/or during the week, and for other fundraising or special event days.

During the “Build-Season”:

The build season (January–‐February) is an intense and exciting period when all teams have been informed of the competition objectives and have just 6 weeks to complete their robot design and construction prior to shipment. The frequency of meetings during this period will increase as needed to complete the job on time. A time commitment of up to 15 hours per week, usually 2-3 weekdays from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and 9:30 am to 3:30pm on Saturday during the six weeks. Build Season time commitments vary by the work required and subteam.

Competition-Season:

District and State competitions (Friday evening - Sunday), is typically two to three district events in March and one – two events early April. FIRST World Championship is held in April. We will compete if we qualify and have the funds.

Membership

Team membership does not require a technical background. There are many departments on the team including marketing, fundraising, mechanical construction, electrical wiring, web design, safety and software development. Team 151 members have decided on a maximum membership of 45 students due to space and logistical restraints.

There is no “Participation Fee.”

To be a member of the robotics team, you must commit to the following:

● To attend every meeting (except for excused absences)

● Abide by 15 hours minimum per week requirement (for build season)

● To arrive on time and participate to the end of every meeting

● To willingly pursue and work diligently on your assigned task(s)

● To show respect for your mentors and teammates

Our team meets at the MakeIt Labs, Crown Street, Nashua, NH. Our team welcomes students from all area high schools, charter schools, private schools and home-school students.

The Team Handbook is intended to provide you and your family with information about the program and your responsibilities as a team member. Please read it carefully and share the information with your parents/guardians.

We hope you will join Team #151 for a valuable and rewarding experience.

Application:

Name:

Address:

Participant’s Email:

Parent(s) Names:

Parent Emails:

_ MakeIt Waiver _ FIRST Waiver