Looking to Start an FRC Team

[RMiller]

Mr. O'Connor,
I am going to have to make this very short, I lost my longer post a few minutes ago. I am an alumni of team 967, Linn-Mar Robotics, from Iowa and am currently attending the U of M.
I would be interested in helping you (or team 1816 for that matter) as I can and I am sure that there are others at the U who would be interested, though time will dictate how much they (and I) can assist.
Feel free to give me a PM or email (prefered) and I will see how I can help you out.
Thanks and good luck,
Ryan Miller

[Nica F.]

1. Do you think it is possible for a HS Junior to be the driving force behind a team starting?

this might've been said before but this is just my opinion about it.

A junior can be the driving force behind it, i mean why not, if you have the passion, the dedication, and time for it, go ahead. but you cannot do it alone, you are absolutely right, mentors are a BIG part of FRC. As an assignment, you should find mentors first, try going to a school teacher (if any are interested to host), go ask a local robotics team if their mentors know anyone who woluld like to be one themselves, and try to get a word out. Mentors are amazing people who will make the team you will create an actual FRC robotics team one step at a time : ]

[Lil' Lavery]

Another option may be the FIRST Vex Challenge. It serves as an amazing low-cost alternative for FRC. It could be in conjunction with FRC, instead of FRC, or as a stepping-stone to FRC during your HS's first couple years of involvement with FIRST, or a number of other things. All you really NEED to build an FVC bot is a programming kit and a vex starter kit, but I would recommend getting more. The total part cost for a typical FVC bot runs around $500-750, including the programming kit. Likewise, the only tools you NEED are the two allen wrenches and the one hex wrench supplied in the starter kit, but I would reccomend a dremmel, vice or other clamp, hack saw, loc-tite, lots more allen wrenches, file and wire cutters for more intricate work. But the total cost of FVC tools is typically no more than $100-200 dollars, even with replacements and extra tools. An FVC team only nees 4-10 students, and preferably 1-3 adults to help with administrative duties (like travel). The travel costs are less than an FRC team (don't need as many hotel rooms, a full bus, etc.), but still not incredibly cheap (depending on the length of travel to the desired competition). Team registration is also cheapER, but still not cheap. I'd reccomend trying to find at least one sponsor to help with costs.

As for FRC. Yes, it is possible for a High School student to be the catalyst behind the creation of a team, but you need support. FRC Teams typically recquire a minimum of 10-15 students, but it can be done with less. I't is also incredibly helpful to have at least one adult mentor with mechanical/engineering expierience and one with programming expierience to help guide the students. It also helps to have a school faculty member to act as a school sponsor and help coordinate activities with the school.
Work space can be a team member's garage or basement, a classroom, wood/metal/autoshop, warehouse, barn, or many other locations. The only NEEDED tools are a drill, wire cutters/strippers, hack saw, phillips, allen, and flat-head screwdrivers, clamp/vice, SAFETY GOGGLES , hammer, file, and tape measurer. Dremmels, soldering iron, bench tools (drill press, grinder, sander, band saw, etc.), arbor press, calipers, mill, lathe, etc. are all very useful, but you can live without them. All of these tools (with the exception of the mill and lathe) are available at Home Depot/Lowes or other hardware/home improvement store, and it is highly likely that a team member and/or parent will have access to them.
Materials can be a simple/cheap as wood and pvc (along with the Kit of Parts supplied to all registered teams). Bots range from "boxes on wheels" to the beautiful and intricate wonders of aluminum, plastics, CNC machining and welding.
The field isn't essential to build, but I highly reccomend building at least the scoring attributes (goals, scoring objects, etc) and any element incorporated in your autonomous programming (such as the light or Infra-red of previous years games). Teams can often share fields if they are nearby.

[RoboMadi]

i actually agree with Sean (Lil lavery).
If you don't have enough resources or much information about the robotics systems, FVC is a good way to start. From there when the team feels like taking the next step, you can move on and create a FRC team (which requires alot more money than the FVC).
if you need any additional help, feel free to contact.

[OZ_341]

You could order our award winning Team in a Box DVD. This DVD/CD disk set has been helping Rookies, Veterans, Regional Directors, and Senior Mentors around the World, and the best part is that its free.

The disk was recently updated with content from National Chairmans Award Teams and even Dean Kamen himself.

The DVD now features video segments by Team 67 stepping through "Drive Train Basics" and Team 103 discussing "How to Create a Winning Animation". As well as advice form coaches students, regional directors, engineers, etc.

We deeply appreciate their contributions and hope to have more teams contribute as this product grows.

Over 1600 copies of Team in a Box have been distributed to 9 countries and 5 continents. We make this disk set available free of charge for Rookies, pre-Rookies and veterans that are helping rookies.

So check out Team in a Box Version 2! Just go to www.team341.com and click on the Team in a Box banner, scroll down and order online.

Best of Luck with your journey through the FIRST experience!!!

[KathieK]

Also check out the Resources page on the NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) website - the white papers are also available here on ChiefDelphi, but are in one convenient place on the NEMO website. NEMO provides support to all four FIRST programs' team mentors who are involved with the non-engineering aspects of the team. Things like fundraising, recruiting mentors, teambuilding, planning travel, etc. NEMO has compiled papers on these topics as well as what to expect at competitions, creating a packet to give to potential sponsors, etc.

I'll be glad to help out if you have specific questions. Congratulations on recognizing that FIRST is something you'd like to see at your school!

[laurenlacy]

team 1816 now has a website-- www.edinarobotics.com

[Alexa Stott]

Be sure to check out our RINOS (Rookies In Need Of Support) page on our website. There is a manual for rookies there with some usefull information for starting a team.

Best of luck!