Good News - Look What We're Doing!

[KathieK]

Because I've been home for a few days this week, I've tried to catch up on reading back newspapers, watching the news on TV, etc. and I'm tired of hearing all the bad news. Then this morning I received an e-mail from FRC Team 1597 summarizing some of the positive things they have been doing in their community. How refreshing! I know that hundreds of teams have been busy during the off-season performing community service in their schools and communities. I know that there are FIRSTers out there who also find the time to excel in other areas. So what good news do you have to share, what have you been doing in your communities?

[Jon Jack]

We were really suprised by the amount of media coverage we got last year during the build season.

First we were on our local FOX affiliate's morning show for three 10-15 minute live segments (Get to school at 6:00am, first segment at 6:30am, second 7:15am, third 8:30am) Our school really got into it and by the third segment the entire school was huddled around us trying to see why we had a camera crew filming us. This appearence was very early in the build season and all we had was a chassis, a proto-type of our electronics board and some caster wheels (yes, we were experimenting with casters)

Our second appearence in the media came a few weeks later when our robot was a little more complete (At least our lift was done). For this segment we went to our local CBS's affiliate and ran our robot in their studio and the news personel were really impressed and loved our robot.

Our third media appearence came after we went to our one and only regional. A reporter from a small local newspaper came to our school to do a story on us.

In retrospect we find ourselves very lucky that we got so much media exposure. San Diego isn't exactly a small town, so it isn't lacking in news stories. Yet we were fourtunate enough to appear in the news three times and because of it, get our whole school behind us (Which might explain our surge in membership). We intend on repeating what we did last year, this year. We will start on January 7th. Looks like our local FOX affiliate will be doing a story on the kick-off that is being held at our school.

In late April we showed off our robot for our ROP (Regional Occupation Program) (http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/rop/) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges (http://www.wascweb.org/) and impressed everyone from retired school teachers, former Boeing engineers to Regional Directors.

Then back in May Team 1538 helped build the playing field that was used for Battle at the Border 2005. Which turned out to be a success and Team San Diego is planning to have it again this year, if you are interested.

That is what we did last build season/this off-season...

[EricH]

We've been helping other teams get the word out, particularly in VEX. Throw in mentoring three FLL teams (two of which were rookies) and that is mostly it. We did do an outreach/fundraiser with Vex bots and got some surprises connected with it. First, a Segway appeared at the event we were doing it at, and second, I saw a kid a couple months later (at an FLL competition) wearing one of our shirts. He wasn't on our team; he'd won it at the event.

[KathieK]

Since Team 1597 hasn't had a chance to sign up for ChiefDelphi yet they asked if I would post this on their behalf. Congratulations to Team 1597 for you are learning the value of giving back.
*****
The Blue Falcons take part in community service activities such as maintaining the safety glass station at the 2005 FRC NYC Regional Competition.
They are currently doing volunteer work with the NYCDOE Region 2 Robotics Initiative, which involves mentoring Bronx Lego League teams with Morris Campus/Fieldston and Lehman High Schools, respectively. Team members participate in recruiting freshmen to the Bronx Aerospace Academy High School by attending high school fairs and giving presentations, and sponsoring seminars to our current student population. Team members organized a letter writing campaign to the troops in Iraq, and team socials for NYC/NJ FIRST Robotics teams in the late Spring of 2005. In October 2005, our team members participated in a book drive where they delivered about 400 lbs worth of books to the Duel on the Delaware in Carney’s Point, NJ. In addition, our student members collected food for our local food drive, donating food to the local fire department. Other activities include conducting presentations to schools interested in starting a robotics teams. On Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month of January, our team members mentor four FLL teams at their schools. The weekend of January 28 and 29, 2006, our Robotics team plans to volunteer at the Citywide FLL Competition at Riverbank State Park.
On Christmas eve, Saturday, December 24, 2005 a package containing 35 lbs 6 oz. went out to the troops serving in Iraq as part of a letter writing our Robotics team members participated in. In addition to the letters, items such as paper, pens/pencils, envelopes, playing cards, and playing dice were included in the mailing which should be there in about three weeks or so.
On Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2005, 5 Blue Falcons Robotics Team members performed community service at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. On Christmas morning, team members served breakfast on the buffet line, prepared tuna fish sandwiches, wrapped gifts, and bagged lunches.
The students who participated in this activity found it extremely gratifying and had a great time as some did not want to leave. The team members received 6 hours of community service as they worked diligently and hard from 9:00 AM to after 12:00 PM.


Stacy M. Weaver, Mathematics Teacher
Blue Falcons Robotics FIRST Team 1597 Coach/FVC 39 Coach
2005 NYC FRC Rookie All-Stars

[JBotAlan]

So far, Truck Town has made signs for the Clarkston Christmas parade and sorted out food for families in need (helping the Rotary club out). We also helped with the Junior First Lego League competition a few weeks ago. I'm sure we have more community stuff planned. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit shell-shocked because 1140 (my former team, Magnadons) never did anything...ever. At least not when I was on it. All this community stuff is actually pretty fun! :)

JBotAlan

[Nuttyman54]

971 Helps out at local FLL events, mentors other FIRST teams, demo's for the school and community, and, along with Team 846, helped get over 100 Google engineers signed up to mentor local teams, as well as fund a large portion of the Silicon Valley Regional.