Robotics letters [Archive]

Wetzel

09-04-2002, 16:12

Originally posted by verdeyw
If the principals of other schools were going to jump off a bridge, would he?

Feel free to use that.

Well, that would depend on many factors, include hight, trainging andsafty recond. But if 100% of kids enjoyed it, as in my example, then I would conclue that it was a safe and enjoyable event. ~Dilbert as a kid
My mom dosn't use jump of a bridge as an example anymore.

Anywho, we at Herndon are elegible for letters.

Shenders

09-04-2002, 16:26

Team 60 gives varsity letters! It took us a while to convince our Athletic Director to let us do this, and we have to have "ROBOTICS" embroidered across our "K"s, but we do give them to students who EARN them. I think it's time schools start recognizing the value of this program and rewarding student's efforts, no matter where their talents lie. Keep pushing your principal... I don't know of ANY sport that lasts ALL YEAR like Robotics does, and I know our students work just as hard as most athletes. It's worth the effort, and I applaud your initiative. Good luck!

Greg McCoy

09-04-2002, 17:09

I don't think our school gives the students much...Delphi pays for our team shirts and most other stuff. We don't get letters for FIRST.

Ben Mitchell

09-04-2002, 17:18

We don't get any letter either.

The subject was brought up, but Robotics really is'nt a 'sport' in the traditional sense, any more than Chess is a sport.

I'd be nice to get one though:D

Wetzel

09-04-2002, 17:36

Originally posted by Ben Mitchell
We don't get any letter either.

The subject was brought up, but Robotics really is'nt a 'sport' in the traditional sense, any more than Chess is a sport.

I'd be nice to get one though:D

We get academic letters. Look the same, but, they arn't.
Eh.

Matt Reiland

09-04-2002, 18:18

Robotics is as much a sport as Band is.

If band can get letters so should any activity that take the kind of time that FIRST does and has a real world application.

Mike Martus

09-04-2002, 18:21

At Pontiac Central (Team #47) we give letters as well as stars for each year the student is on the team.

Several students have varsity jackets with the words FIRST Team in large letters as would a football player have.

Also they have "FIRST Team" on their class rings.

During graduation all Graduating FIRST Team members are given special recognition for their participation on the team.

Two years ago Joe Johnson - Delphi was the commencement speaker. Many of the other engineers gather their robes and are part of the graduation ceremonies every year.

We have a great sponsor committed to our students and the community.

dlavery

09-04-2002, 18:48

The first few years that Team 254 (Cheesy Poofs) participated in FIRST, the team members received letters. I don't know if they kept up the tradition when the team had to move from Broadway HS to Bellarmine prep, so I am not sure if this is still the case. Jason?

-dave

Jim Giacchi

09-04-2002, 20:31

I kind of went around the school by putting on my track letter jacket DRVR on one sleeve and 41 on the other. You can't imagine how many people ask me what it means, but i will get a varsity letter for it by senior year one way or another especially since they give a letter for band and a letter if you do the stats for a team. Also I've spent more time building the robot then I ever did practicing for a sport and that includes wrestling and football.

Ameya

09-04-2002, 20:56

I don't think we get letters for robotics, but (in case it helps) we do get letter for Model U.N. and Debate.

kmcclary

28-10-2002, 00:55

Originally posted by Mike Martus
At Pontiac Central (Team #47) we give letters as well as stars for each year the student is on the team.

Several students have varsity jackets with the words FIRST Team in large letters as would a football player have.

Also they have "FIRST Team" on their class rings.
What is your criteria to earn EACH level of honor (ESPECIALLY the Letter)?

We're looking at this as well at Pioneer to honor our FIRST participants. We've set up a Robotics Club, which anyone can join. It supports ALL "hands on" contests, such as Science Olympiad's Robot Ramble, or Science Fair models and experiments related to the club's charter.

Now we're setting up the FIRST TEAM, which is the "sport club" WITHIN the Robotics Club. We're trying to consider this a "sport", but need a clue to help us figure out exactly WHAT earns them a letter! They can't ALL be on the Field Team! Should we use total hours involved? Should some "minimum shop work time" building something be a part of that? Be involved at <this> level for more than <that> number of years? (As a rookie team, that may not be fair to "very dedicated" Seniors that WOULD have done it earlier if given the chance.)

I need a good, concrete list of Letter criteria to present to the administration for consideration.

If anyone else is also offering a Robotics Letter (or other school honor), please list your qualification criteria for it.

Thanks!

- Keith

Redhead Jokes

28-10-2002, 02:06

Cuz our programmer/parent/engineer/mentor wanted to make that happen at our school, and I'll let him know about this thread.

Gadget470

28-10-2002, 07:41

since the tomb for this thread has already been cracked open, I'll post too.

Berkley High DOES (as of last year) now award Varsity Letter/Pin (pin being if you already have letter) for being a productive part of the FIRST team.

Katie Reynolds

28-10-2002, 08:34

As of last year, we can get a letter for FIRST. All of our letters look the same (big red A's) whether they are for acedemics, band, sports, drama or robotics. With the letter, we also get a nifty little patch with our team logo on it and "Team 93, N.E.W. Apple Corps". The patch is round, so it doesn't fit on the letter very well - so I'm having mine put on the sleeve.

Criteria for lettering:
Lettering in N.E.W. Apple Corps Robotics

Students who wish to receive a letter in FIRST must meet certain criteria before being considered. It is up to the student to make sure that there is documentation that they have the necessary qualifications. Written documentation of how the member met the criteria must be submitted by May 10 of the year in which they wish to receive their letter. Letters will be presented at the team banquet in Mid-May.

The following are the minimum requirements for receiving a letter in FIRST Robotics and the NEW Apple Corps:

- One complete year of involvement on the team September through May
- Excellent attendance record at team meetings/functions

- Attendance at two or more FIRST sanctioned competitions
- Motorola Midwest Regional
- National Championships
- Other regional event
- The IRI and other invitational events do not qualify

Complete participation in at least three extended NAC activities

For example:
- Plexus Picnics
- Flag Day Parade
- OcTOBORfest
- FLL Mentoring
- FLL Tournament
- Children’s Museum Workshop
- Presentations to companies and professional organizations

Complete and unwavering adherence to the Appleton East High School Code of Conduct and the N.E.W. Apple Corps Team Credo

Materials will be reviewed by team advisors and their recommendation will be made to all team advisors for final approval. Letters will be awarded upon completion of the above criteria and after review/approval by the advisors team. For subsequent seasons the member will receive a patch that recognizes their years of involvement.

- Katie

kmcclary

28-10-2002, 11:48

Thanks, Katie... That's EXACTLY the kind of thing we need to propose it to the administration! I have to bring the exact proposed criteria list to the administration, so the more lists I can compile from other FIRST schools to argue "this is what OTHER schools are doing", the better.

Originally posted by Gadget247
since the tomb for this thread has already been cracked open, I'll post too.

Berkley High DOES (as of last year) now award Varsity Letter/Pin (pin being if you already have letter) for being a productive part of the FIRST team. So... What exactly are your criteria for awarding it?

Specifics would be greatly appreciated, if you would be so kind... :)

Let's snowball this thing! Everyone, please post your exact requirements for a FIRST Letter here, like Katie from N.E.W. Apple Corp Team 93 did. (Thanks again, Katie!) :)

The more criteria lists we can compile, the easier it will be for the next school to implement it! :D

Thanks!

- Keith

Elgin Clock

28-10-2002, 12:39

Originally posted by Gadget247
........for being a productive part of the FIRST team.

Yeah that would kind of help.

OZ_341

28-10-2002, 12:49

Originally posted by lil$@R@H
my teacher wanted me to post this...... the principal won't let us get letters for our varsity jackets unless he knows that other schools have them........ so, ummmmm if you or someone at your school has one, please write back...... if you do you are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

Team 341/Wissahickon HS in Ambler PA now gives out letters to full time, year-long team members.

Now all we need is jackets to put them on!!!!!

If you need some help email me.

I am the coach. Good luck.

Ashley Weed

28-10-2002, 13:56

Originally posted by OZ_341

Team 341/Wissahickon HS in Ambler PA now gives out letters to full time, year-long team members.

Now all we need is jackets to put them on!!!!!

If you need some help email me.

I am the coach. Good luck.

I would really appreciate more inforamtion on this.

Also.... we have never considered it, becuase we have 5 different schools on our team. Where would I begin? Who should I contact?

Trashed20

28-10-2002, 16:43

we are just this year getting letters for robotics, cause we rule :)

Redhead Jokes

06-11-2002, 14:31

"Each club designs their own jackets. If the Robotics team wants to design
jackets for team advisors and members, they can. RUHS letter "R"'s are
given through student participation in Sports/Band, etc. Coaches order
sport specific apparel for their teams and coaches. At some point,
discussion centered on visors, too. Matching team wear was discussed for
the regionals and/or Nationals.
Team colors for robotics do not align themselves with RUHS or MCHS colors." Fred

What are other schools doing who are getting letterman jackets for robotics, have several schools involved, and the robotics colors don't go with school colors?

Katie Reynolds

06-11-2002, 17:00

School colors:

Appleton North: blue, white, and gold
Appleton East: blue, white, and red
Appleton West: blue, white, and orange

The patch is the same, no matter which high school you attend (luckily, I go to East so the patch matches ;)). I attached a picture of our patch for those interested. I want to try to get pins, for every year after you have the patch (much like the school does for music and sports). That way, a student doesn't have four patches on his/her jacket!! We'll see how that goes.

- Katie

Redhead Jokes

06-11-2002, 17:11

Thank you! Great patch. Matching the colors of FIRST solves the problem.

Joe Pernick

11-11-2002, 10:16

Team Hammond students have received letters and pins for the last few years. They also receive 1 credit for the program as along as all of the necessary requirements are filled. (Time, attendance, assignments and participation.)

Redhead Jokes

11-11-2002, 10:19

Originally posted by Joe Pernick
Team Hammond students have received letters and pins for the last few years. They also receive 1 credit for the program as along as all of the necessary requirements are filled. (Time, attendance, assignments and participation.)

Thank you for sharing that. Our school administrator is just now "signing on" to help us with letterman jackets and getting excited about it - thank you to all who posted here cuz that's what helped me get her there.

I'm going to share with her that your team gets 1 credit also.

Joe Pernick

11-11-2002, 10:28

kmcclary

11-11-2002, 11:35

Originally posted by Joe Pernick
Team Hammond students have received letters and pins for the last few years. They also receive 1 credit for the program . (Time, attendance, assignments and participation.) When you say "as along as all of the necessary requirements are filled", can you please list the exact "requirements"? Our Administration needs to see a concrete, measurable list of requirements in the Letterman proposal for review and critique.

Examples:
- "Attend a minimum of NN% of meetings",
- "Attend two regionals minimum as a team member",
- "Log at least HH hours in the shop during build",
- "Complete xx% of assignments with a minimum grade of XX",
etc...

Thanks!

- Keith

Joe Pernick

11-11-2002, 14:17

Some of the requirements are.

80+ hours of participation in meetings, the build phase, chairmans award, animation, competition, fundraising, etc. We use a time clock with time cards to log each student.

A full research paper topic assigned by the coach and graded. (Minimum 5 pages, with complete grading on grammer, usage, punctuation, spelling, spacing, etc.)(Early in the season)

A report (graded) due one week prior to the championship from each student.

Coach assigned projects must be completed and on time.

At times we also work in different divisions and have a student team leader for each division. They will report on the others and their level of participation.

kmcclary

11-11-2002, 16:15

Originally posted by Joe Pernick
Some of the requirements are.

- 80+ hours of participation in meetings [...]
- A full research paper topic assigned by the coach and graded. (Minimum 5 pages, with complete grading on grammer, usage, punctuation, spelling, spacing, etc.)(Early in the season)
- A report (graded) due one week prior to the championship from each student.
- Coach assigned projects must be completed and on time.
Interesting! I like it! :)

Can you give me sample topics for the research papers, and some typical Coach assigned projects?

What is the "report" about that is due before the Championship?

Thanks!

- Keith

Redhead Jokes

11-11-2002, 17:21

I want to know too. Thank you!

Jeff_Rice

21-03-2003, 19:23

If I manage to get sweet home's robotics team up and going, I am going to try and have a lettering system.

I would love to letter in robotics.

Tonya Scott 476

21-03-2003, 19:26

OKAY---

What I would like to do now is this---Everyone that has a "Lettering" system for robotics at their school---please send me all documents, applications, etc for this. I will pool these together, and post them on our website for everyone to use.

We have been trying to persuade our school to support this--but we need to provide documentation. The main point our admin keeps giving me is the fact that we need guidelines---I agree, but other groups just simply require participation.

So, if you can please send me as much "paper-work" on this as you can, I would appreciate it.

fax @ school ATTN: Tonya Scott 580-767-9515
school e-mail scotttl@poncacity.k12.ok.us

We will happily consolidate and share this info with everyone. When we get it together--we will put on our website www.adidar.com

Now--what about class rings with FIRST logo?

If everyone would e-mail your local ring sales person or HQ--then things would probably happen quickly.

Would be really neat if there were rings available for Chairman's Award winners or other high awards.

T.Scott
476

Ashley Weed

22-03-2003, 07:55

In addition.... in my school (one of like 7 associated with the team) has a letter T on the back of the jackets.... however, for every thing you letter in, a patch gets put on the T related to the activity you received the letter...... ... .. ehat kind of patch would we be able to use????

OZ_341

22-03-2003, 16:35

Attached is the Wissahickon Robotics (Team 341) participation policy.

You have to be classified as full-time (as defined in the policy) to receive an academic letter.

The policy has worked pretty well, but needs some adjustments. Write me if you have any questions or suggestions. Good Luck!

AJ Quick

25-03-2003, 18:50

You can letter in robotics after your second year, at our School.

Hailfire

25-03-2003, 19:05

Well, our team is going to send a varsity letter after Nationals. What we're going to do is, write a varsity letter for all 3 Rochester teams (Rochester High School - 201, Adams High School - 245, and Stoney Creek High School - 1037)

J2Kraatz

25-03-2003, 20:24

We will make our presentation to the school board after nationals and we hope we get it. What makes it really cool is that we will present will two other team the FEDS of RHS and Adams team 245.

OZ_341

25-03-2003, 22:26

Originally posted by AJ Quick
You can letter in robotics after your second year, at our School.

I like that Idea better than what we do. I think being a 2 year member gives the letter a little more meaning. I'll have to put some thought to that.

Nick Seidl

27-03-2003, 20:36

:rolleyes:
At my school, only varsity level, physical activities get letters. And even then, the kids who get them shy away from displaying them really (except a few football players). Our school lacks some serious school spirit, and most kids would be embarrassed to be seen wearing a CK letter jacket. Even so, the robotics team (at least until recently when we were back to back finalists at VCU), gets very little respect at my school anyway. The only way to get respect is to play hockey (booo!). When we were ordering our shirts, the teacher placing the order asked me if I thought we needed anything else. I told him varsity-style jackets, but then changed my mind when he said they'd run about $250 a punch.

MBiddy

27-03-2003, 20:47

Personally I don't think robotics should get a letter. I just don't see it being in the league as football and marching band.

Redhead Jokes

27-03-2003, 20:54

Originally posted by Nick Seidl
:I told him varsity-style jackets, but then changed my mind when he said they'd run about $250 a punch.

*chuckle* That was my experience. I wanted to pursue a letter for robotics, and varsity jackets. Got the catalogue. The ones we wanted were $300. I asked a variety of people, "Would you pay that?" no.

Mr. Blersch

16-05-2003, 17:57

I have tried to put together the requirements for a letter in robotics. We have an Activities Director as opposed to an Athletic Director so that isn't a problem....yes we give letters for band, drama, managers ect........ The criteria must be tough enough to give credibility to the letter but not unachievable. Anyone who emails me I will send out what I'm working on so you can view it in a word format and make changes.

Bob Blersch
Team #269

J Flex 188

16-05-2003, 22:08

Im actually curious about your respective school's traditions when it comes to jackets and "letters". When i first saw the thread, i thought it meant sponsorship letters and writing. Needless to say thats not exactly what this is. How long has the jacket tradition been on at your school?

as far as i know, most high schools in toronto dont have anything like this.. or maybe only seniors know about them :P

Gadget470

16-05-2003, 22:24

I havn't seen too many Letter Jackets while in Canada.. maybe Canadian schools don't do it :confused:... The basis is you get a big school letter (about 8" tall?) if you are on a varsity team. (Also referred to as a Varsity Letter and Varsity Jacket). You don't need the Jacket to get the Letter though.

Since this thread got ressuructed, I'd like to make a point... you don't even have to go to the school to be awarded the letter.

Case/Point:
2002: Berkley Varsity Letter: FIRST Robotics
2003: Ypsilanti Varsity Letter: FIRST Robotics

Yeah, I'm that cool, I've got a varsity letter from a school I don't go to (Ypsilanti) because I'm on the team.

J Flex 188

16-05-2003, 23:56

i have to say, that is a pretty neat idea.. i think part of the "problem" in canada, is that there arent many strictly varsity teams compared to the US. theres usually a division of junior senior, and varsity usually only runs if there arent enough people to fill up the spots on either team. but for some sports like hockey, its just a team.. not necessarily called varsity. As far as i know, i havent seen any public schools have anything like that. maybe private or catholic schools, but not anything in the TDSB.

I do love the idea though = D

Huskie65

19-05-2003, 14:26

Team 65 has varsity letters! This is the first year.

kmcclary

21-05-2003, 10:28

Originally posted by Huskie65
Team 65 has varsity letters! This is the first year. Cool! We're working on one now. However, the school is requesting a full, FORMAL proposal of the EXACT requirements for them to evaluate.

Everyone, please post your requirements for your robotics letter. We need to see how others do it, so we can write a great proposal!

Thanks!

- Keith

MissAbi

21-05-2003, 13:38

We give out letters to our rookie members. In order to recieve your varsity letter you must participate during the off season with community service and fundraising and have relatively good attendance at the meetings. If you past the offseason requirements, you are allowed to participate in build. Once again you must regularly attend the meeting and contribute quality work. Finally, participation during build season determines participation at competition. If you pass all three stages and you maintain a 3.0 GPA, you earn your letter. Keith, if you'd like a more detailed list of requirments, chack out what our letter looks like, or would like to talk to me more about it, e-mail me.

Huskie65

21-05-2003, 14:38

To Get a Varsity Letter on our team you have to be on for at least three years.

Beth Sweet

21-05-2003, 14:46

In both of the schools in our district, you get a letter for HOT Team. That's actually the sole reason that most of the people on our team have their coats. Most either have HOT Team or FIRST Robotics written across the back of them.

epfaffli

22-08-2003, 16:01

Ok, so what are the requirements at your school to get a Varsity Letter? I also need school names with Town and State to use with our request for Varsity Letters.

Thanks

Tonya Scott 476

22-08-2003, 16:54

hello everyone,

our school has granted us letters!

Another victory for FIRST and the kids involved.

Tonya Scott
Team 476
Ponca City High School
Ponca City, Oklahoma:D

Pat McCarthy

22-08-2003, 17:31

I've got the letter, and need to get my butt to the store and buy a jacket. :D

KTorak

13-09-2006, 22:31

Time to revisit an old thread...

This year, our coach approached our Athletic Director about issuing Varisty Letters to robotics students. Our Athletic Director requested a written set of criteria to award them, in which he (and us) would present to our Board of Education for approval. However, I am looking into guidelines for issuing them. In Marching Band for instance, we only must have so many attendence points - every practice/performance is so many points.

As of now, I have drafted a list of what I think should be mentioned as a requirement:
- Attend say 90% of all meetings pertaining to your sub group.
- Make atleast one sponsor presentation.
- Participate in atleast one fundraiser.
- Mail atleast 2 business letters for sponsorship.
- And some sort of GPA requirement.

What are some other requirements that other teams have adopted? Also, do any teams have a version of their criteria that they would be willing to share?

Thanks

Cynette

13-09-2006, 23:08

As of now, I have drafted a list of what I think should be mentioned as a requirement:
- Attend say 90% of all meetings pertaining to your sub group.
- Make atleast one sponsor presentation.
- Participate in atleast one fundraiser.
- Mail atleast 2 business letters for sponsorship.
- And some sort of GPA requirement.You should consider more of a combination of the above except for the GPA part. Put your team's activities into categories and then assign values to the activities. Then use the Attendance/Participation system like is used for band. Maybe a team member can't make 40% of his sub-teams meetings, but he is a cracker-jack at making sponsor presentations and does 15. He might not get the full value of points for his sub-team, but would get extra points for his sponsor presentations. That way each member of the team can really show their strengths.
The reason for no GPA requirement is that that should be already taken into account for team participation. Most schools have academic eligibility / ineligibility rules. If a less than stellar student is meeting those requirements to be on the team, he should be eligible for full recognition of his efforts.

epfaffli

14-09-2006, 07:52

For Allen Park High School and St Frances Cabrini High School, we use the following criteria for a Varsity Athletic Letter:

1. 100 Hours of participation during the school year.
2. 2 Promotional / Extra events
3. Active Participation at Competition
4. Academics
a. C or better in all classes
b. No attendance concern

It's worked for us.

epfaffli

14-09-2006, 08:20

On the back of the student's jackets, they put:

815 Robotics

I would like to see FIRST come up with a FIRST Logo patch for the Jackets.

Athleticgirl389

25-09-2006, 19:36

Last year was the first time our team ever did varsity letters... I came to the parents with the idea and they were all for it. Besides the fact our school won't recognize us, we thought if we go out on our own and get letter and put them on, it would be really kool. And it worked out really well! Since it was the first year, at our team banquet, those studets who got an award given by the parents/board got a letter. They said they will be looking to make a better guideline this year for giving letters out.

I know I can't wait to get my letter on my jacket... because I've done a sport the past 4 years and am on varisty so I aleady had the jacket... now my jacket will just be eve kooler with a Robotics (Team 102) varsity letter :) haha.

amos229

25-09-2006, 19:41

People have brought up that robotics isnt a traditional sport. In a traditional sport there is physical activity such as running. well in robotics the human player is often physically strained. look at triple play for instance. as a human player I was running windsprints everycompetition 30 times a day. now if that doesnt make it a sport then i dont know what is.

AndyB

25-09-2006, 21:08

dubious elise

25-09-2006, 21:25

Our school does it. But it's not like other sports in that you sign up and you get a letter. We have our teachers vote upon who is deserving most. In a team of around 25 kids we usually give out about 10 letters.

To expand upon Andy's response, each student that wishes to be considered for a varsity letter must complete a questionnaire-like form in which the student details activities that they did on the team such as which group they primarily worked with (3D animation, fundraising, CAD, machining, design/build, drive team, scouting, etc), what types and amounts of fundraising the student did, which community outreach projects they assisted with (FLL, Vex, parades, sponsor and school visits, etc), and what training they partook in (via the FIRST website, at team meetings, with mentors, or pre-kickoff).

Qbranch

25-09-2006, 21:25

lawrence township has robotics jackets, don't know about the letter specifically, havent looked in to it.

-Q

Elgin Clock

27-09-2006, 12:14

JaneYoung

30-09-2006, 17:39

For everyone who has successfully gotten a letter jacket for Robotics, what letter did you get??

Can you custom order a number to be your team number?

I know they usually only do 2 digits for your graduating year, but say you have 3 digits, can you get that in that chenille* material the letters/numbers are made from on letter jackets?

I may look into this, but if someone has already done this, I won't bother starting from scratch.

I think your answer would be yes regarding the team number. In our case we asked one local business who works with the band and athletics for help. We contacted them and they were happy to work with us. Ours isn't the team number, it is the team name/logo. The costs varied for us including the initial set-up fee, prototype, and then depended on amount ordered. It was an old dream that became a new reality this month and some alumni are going to be very happy. Chenille is good.