Robotics Team 2017-18

Posted on 08/22/2017

Dear Incoming 8th Grade Students and Parents,

Does the idea of building an autonomous robot sound like fun? Would you be willing to develop your strengths working with a team?  Would you enjoy putting in the time to complete research and come up with a unique solution to a team project challenge?

If you answered, “Yes!” to all of these questions, then this may be the club for you! The FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) is a robotics program that is designed to get students excited about science and technology, while teaching valuable life skills. Each team has no more than ten students, and each group will prepare for the regional competition in November, and possibly move on to the state competition in December.

This year’s challenge is called Hydro Dynamics! The competition has three parts: Core Values, the Project, and the Robot Game. The FLL website explains it best when they characterize the three parts:

Core Values: The FLL Core Values are the fundamental elements that distinguish FLL from other programs of its kind. Participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

The Project: The FLL Core Values are the fundamental elements that distinguish FLL from other programs of its kind. Participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

The Robot Game: Teams build and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology to score points in 2.5-minute matches on a themed playing field. For more information about the league, please visit:  https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll

The club will be run by Ms. Rebecca McManus and will begin meeting during the second week of school, continue until the competition in November, and running into December if the team advances to States.

We will be meeting 2-3 times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (twice a month 10am-2pm).  After school, our club will begin promptly at 3:10 and run until 5:00 pm.  Attendance at all meetings is mandatory.  It is understandable that students will be absent from school from time to time; however, students who are currently participating in other activities on these days and during these times are NOT eligible to join the club.  Only 8th grade students are eligible to join.  

If you are interested in the club, and will be available during our meeting dates and times, please fill out the google form in the link below.   Interest must be expressed by the end of the school day on Friday, September 8, 2017. Students who have not expressed their interest by the end of the school day on Friday, September 8th will not be eligible to join. There will be no exceptions.  

On Monday, September 11th, an email will be sent to interested students that will include forms that will need to be printed, completed, and submitted before tryouts, which will take place on Thursday, September 14th.   Students will need to sign in to HTPS domain in order to respond to the interest form.  

Students should express interest via the google form link by September 8th: https://goo.gl/forms/EsSOcDM4pi7JV4OP2

Regards,
Ms. Rebecca McManus