Team in Bakersfield, CA

[Amadkow]

I used to be in Team 524 but it dissolved after the guy who ran the team couldn't any more. I would really like to get another team started here. I looked around and I have no idea where to start or what I need to do exactly if any one could help I would really like it I just no experiance with anything like this.

[Cory]

I dont know if you have heard of the SCRRF (Southern California Regional Robotics Forum), but you should be able to get some ideas from the group, or even learn of schools in the area that want teams. You could try going to the FIRST Lego League website and looking for middle schools in your area that have teams. If you figured out what high school(s) graduates from those schools usually attend, you could go there and look for interest in starting a team. If all else fails and you cant start a team, Im sure that the SCRRF would love your help.

Cory

[Amadkow]

yeah I have heard of that and I was at one of the first meetings they had. Do you know where I could find out more information about when they have meetings or something?

[Cory]

You can visit their website at www.scrrf.org I am sure it has some helpful info.

Cory

[ChrisH]

Most announcements are posted here in the SCRRF subforum of the FIRST related organizations forum, in addition to being sent out to our email list. I think our next meeting will be in Santa Monica on a Saturday morning but I forget the day.

Upcoming SCRRF events include our annual seminars for teams and the Southern California Classic off-season competition. Unfortunately I don't have my notes from the last meeting here at work.

If you want to restart a team the first thing you need is a dedicated teacher who is willing to take this on. They can work things from within the system rather than fighting it from the outside which is much more difficult. They do not have to be a technical person. One of the best coaches in FIRST is an English teacher. But they do have to be willing to put in a lot of work to support the program. As I recall, lack of support or active discouragement by the school were big factors in why 524 could not continue. It would be great to get something going in Bakersfield again. The gap between LA and San Jose is far too large to only have one team in it.

If you can get a potential leader to come down to the Classic or go up to the Cal Games it might be a starting point. We'll have enough teams there that it will seem like a regional, but without the big video screens.

ChrisH
Vice President, SCRRF, among other titles

[Amadkow]

the biggest problem was that the teacher who ran team 524 didn't work at teh school the team was at so he didn't know amny people there or anything. I know of lots of teachers willing to help but none willing ot actually run the team. They are willing to help with getting to the school to help and stuff they just don't have the time to really run the team. I think that might work but I am not sure. thanks for the info about the scrrf.

[Ian Curtis]

Didn't Bakersfield send an FLL team to the Nationals in 2003?