Re: FIRST Class?
 

wow! thats awesome.

I have heard of students taking photography and video classes following the FIRST team, and going to competitions, as an assignment for their class.

You could also do things like having students in a mechanical CAD class generate the drawings for a gearbox or motor mount - some type of part that might be a standard on the teams robot over several years. If the members of the FIRST team designed it, and the drafting class only made up the drawings then I think that would be within the spirit of the competition rules.

The more I think of this, the more examples of FIRST related science and technology that could be gleaned from the team, and incorporated into already existing HS classes.

As long as you dont make the FIRST team itself a HS course.

Re: FIRST Class?
 

Thanks for making this post Booger. It has generated some thought and exchange of information. If our homework is to establish a FIRST team in every high school, there will be lots of flexibility and creative opportunities explored in exactly how to accomplish this goal. Through Philmont 629's post, I've learned that Mr. Martus has developed an excellent FIRST course outline for us to look at and use as a guide if anyone wants to think along these lines. You could print this white paper off and present it to your teacher as a reference.
Jane

Re: FIRST Class?
 

No problem. It has been very informative to me also.

Re: FIRST Class?
 

In our high school, Upper Darby, one of our mentors, Ms.Hale, has started and teaches a Robotics Programming course that is taught using both FLL and FVC robots. It was a year round, half block class in which we learned programming basics and moved onto accomplishing set goals. Basically to finish up the FLL section, we played the game Ocean Oddysey since we had spare kits from hosting the FLL tournament. Then we moved on to Vex and learned more about the programming using EasyC, along with calculating things such as torque, using different sensors, etc..

The really cool thing was, based on the work I did in the class, I am currently learning over the summer how to program our FRC robot so I can be of greater assistance next year.

Re: FIRST Class?
 

I tend to agree with Ken on this that "FIRST" itself should not be constrained by the academic world. Inspiration seldom comes from the classroom.

I do, however, believe that extra credit in academics can be applied from the FIRST program and activities.

All manner of skills / studies are applied in FIRST. Mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Programming, CAD design, Math, Physics, Social studies (interaction), Business, Accounting, and most of all real life problem solving in a team enviroment. All of these things give the FIRST student a significant advantage because it demonstrates real world applications of the things that are taught in the classroom.

Re: FIRST Class?
 

WildStang Members are all enrolled in a class at RMHS/WHS.
The courses are full school year and we do VEX challanges the 1st Semester


Engineering Technology
Engineering Physics 1
Engineering Physics 2
and for all 4 year members Technology Education Independent Study.

We all get grades, I think they were by reaction sheets that we filled out online and our weekly participation. Whole Team meetings were every monday from 5:30-8:00-ish unless your subteam went longer.

Re: FIRST Class?
 

We have a class. During the season it helps to cut down on some of the after school hours and keeps me from getting the thousand yard stare when I'm in the workshop. I get that sometimes during our late nighters. That's when I lose touch with reality and start seeing visions of my fluffy bed at home far off in the distance. Of course, the majority of our work is still done after school and on weekends because there is just so much to do, but having a class sure helps.

In the off season, we just try to learn new things together and pass on what we already know to the newbs. There is no rigid curriculum. We decide what we want to learn together, and grades are given for effort like in PE. We are pretty happy to have it. It certainly allows us to do more and learn more than we could without it, and it saves some of our sanity during the silly season.

Re: First Class?
 

Our school has attempted to make it a class, but to no avail. Not enough students signed up nor were apparently interested, although we had enough students each year on the team to make it a class.

I personally don't think it's smart to make it into a class in school. Sure, it'd bring more students, but the grading system would be difficult, and the "good stuff" in the class would only really be 3 months long. Students may get distracted from what FIRST really is about and concentrate really hard on the grade.

Besides, you never know what kind of kids you'll get, and if they'll be dedicated or not. I say, stick with it being an after-school activity. It shows they want to be there, and they chose to do FIRST.