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Unread 17-06-2010, 12:12
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ICntIHaveRbtics ICntIHaveRbtics is offline
VirginiaFIRST
FRC #1058 (the PVC Pirates)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 56
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"FIRST in the Classroom" - a fall semester high school course

I've heard from a lot of my friends and other students of how awesome it would be if there was a "FIRST" class in high school that you could get high school credit for (or maybe even college?). I formulated my thoughts about what this class would be like (what would be covered, etc.) and am looking for your thoughts. Anything you would add, or take out, or any other criticism is encouraged, as I will be bringing this idea up to the right people here at FIRST to discuss sometime soon.

FIRST in the Classroom
Taking a class in FIRST Robotics for high school credit

Purpose:
To allow students who participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition to receive elective credit towards their high school diploma while learning about and establishing all the different aspects of a FIRST Robotics Competition team that go into competing each year. Upon completion of "FIRST in the Classroom", students will receive high school elective credits towards the required credit count at their High School. While this class would only be offered in a fall semester, it aims to entice students who take the class to continue with FIRST Robotics after school when the semester is over and the build/competition season has started. Subsequently, by having a FRC class, the FRC team that's associated with the school would receive the benefit of having a contact/body within the school to help them foster the FIRST relationship with the school community.

How a "FIRST in the Classroom" Course would be "very loosely" structured (by "units"):
Engineering Basics
Programming Basics
Team Management Basics (Business Plan?)
Marketing & Fundraising Basics
???

Some specific assignments/activities could include:
Basic metal shop safety / how to use machines (drill press, milling machine, bandsaw)
Program a very simple small robot in the same language as what the FRC robots would use
Establish a business plan for the team for the upcoming season
Split up into pairs and be assigned a business to approach about sponsorship
???

FAQ:

Q: Who would take this class?
A: Students already on the high school's FRC team or students that are interested in joining the FRC team. Just because you take the class doesn't mean you're committed to the team. The class is meant to be "the hook" for students who are unsure and aren't sure about dedicating after school time from the program once kickoff rolls around.

Q: Can a student take this class more than once for credit?s
A: Yes! And it is encouraged, since every year is a new year and concepts that are covered in the classroom will be integrated into the school's FRC team.
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VirginiaFIRST Social Media and Alumni Coordinator
Former FIRSTPlace Administrative Assistant @ FIRST HQ
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts Class of 2013 - BFA Graphic Design & Certificate in Product Innovation
[2004-2006]: FLL student [2006-2010]: FRC 1058 / FIRST HQ [2010+]: VirginiaFIRST
2010 Granite State Regional Winners with teams 1073 and 1519