[Al Skierkiewicz]

We have a curriculum wherein the class meets every Monday night from 5:30 to 8:30PM. During the fall we discuss various robot design criteria, work on group activities and build VEX and FTC robots in small groups. Included in the Monday night sessions are safety training and testing, a little introduction to the various sub teams and software classes. Once kickoff occurs, the team meets almost every day for brainstorming, prototyping and field building. Once we get into the build, mechanical, field, software and electrical teams meet at the playing field on different nights and on weekends to work on the robot and field. All of these are in addition to the Monday night meetings. Mentors are consulted on the level and regularity of students on their sub teams to assess for grades and travel decisions. Students are informed as to what their robot grade levels are weekly and mentors are kept informed of students grades in other classes as well.
Grades are determined by attendance, Monday is mandatory attendance with other subteams setting their own schedules with a mentor(s). We can't expect every student to attend every meeting outside of Mondays but we track their hours and interest while they work. The drive team and any travel candidates must maintain minimum grades in both other classes and robot class. We have about sixty students that start in the fall. Some drop the class and some do not make grades, attendance, participation or fundraising minimums to travel. We take a small group to one regional, everyone who is not flunking can attend the Midwest Regional (our home regional) but their ability to travel to one, two or three days is dependent on their grades and the need for drive or pit crew on those days. About 35-40 will travel to Champs depending on all of the above factors, and parent permission. Our biggest problem is having counselors informed and knowledgeable about the program. Some counselors will inform parents and students that they cannot participate in sports, band, etc. or that the program is only open to juniors and seniors. Many of our students participate in a wide variety of other activities including honors classes, scouts and church groups and do just fine in robotics. We see about two to three Eagle Scouts every year, four year band, orchestra or jazz band students, soloists, marching band, football, soccer or baseball and student government. Most students will schedule their life around robotics and other events. One of our drivers gave up a European Tour with the Jazz band to attend IRI.