Growing Team

[Carol]

MOE also uses the subteam method. (Although with ~35 members, it's not quite as hierarchical. We have mechanical, electrical, programming, and web teams, with mechanical broken up into 4 or 5 subteams, each focusing on an aspect of the robot - drivetrain, arm, etc., depending on that year's design. Each team and subteam has an adult leader (we are blessed with some great mentors). As the season progresses we then form a competition team, pit crew, scouting, safety lead and ambassadors (who are the main contacts for judges and visitors). Students who have no tasks on a given day help in other areas, such as button making. (We have parents and Boosterz do the travel, food, etc., but you could have students on thsoe teams as well).

Don't forget that your team needs assignments at events as well. Every student on our team has a job at competitions - drive, pit, ambassadors, and scouting. (This is why you don't see too many MOE students in the stands except when the robot is competing). With a large team it is easy to lose track of everyone and have bored students wander off, if they have nothing to do.