1. Parent Orientation … what you are in for!

2. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 2 Background, and the goals for today?  At the end of last school year, a few of us formed a parent / adult run Booster Club – “Titan Robotics Advisory Committee (TRAC)” - with three main goals: Help Mentor the TRC Team to ensure that they are successful Coordinate the Mentors and keep them informed of where help is needed Raise money to fund and support summer-time / off-season activities when school is not in session  My goal this evening is to: Share with you what FIRST Robotics is, and why it is important Enlighten you on what to expect Solicit your help in ensuring the success of the program

3. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 3 FIRST Robotics Competition  For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology  Over 37,000 high-school aged young people  1,500 teams  21,000 mentors and 6,300 other volunteers  Over 2,500 sponsoring companies  One Identical Kit of Parts  6 weeks  44 Regional Events  1 Championship  Hardest Fun Ever

4. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 4 National Warning Signs  US is net importer of high technology products 1950 trade balance: + $54 billion 1990 trade balance: - $50 billion  During 2004, China overtook the US to become the leading exporter of information technology products  Fewer than 1/3 of 8 th graders performed at or above “proficient” in math (competence with challenging subject matter) 1/5 of 4 th graders and 1/3 of 8 th graders lacked ability to perform even basic mathematical computations  US 15-year-olds ranked 27 th out of 39 countries that participated in a 2003 study which assessed students’ ability to apply mathematical principles to real-world problems  Undergraduates receiving degree in natural science or engineering South Korea38% France47% China67% Singapore67% United States15%  Proportion of US physics grads is less than 1/2 of what it was in 1956  “When I compare our high schools to what I see when I’m traveling abroad, I am terrified for our workforce of tomorrow. Bill Gates Paraphrased from Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Future By National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine

5. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 5 Benefits of FIRST  Recently, Brandeis University’s Center for Youth and Communities conducted an independent, retrospective survey of FIRST Robotics Competition participants and compared results to a group of non- FIRST students with similar backgrounds and academic experiences, including math and science  Impact students’ choices in education Compared to a group of students with similar backgrounds and achievement in high-school math and science, FIRST alumni are: Significantly more likely to attend college Twice as likely to major in science and engineering More than three times as likely to major specifically in engineering

6. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 6 Benefits of FIRST  Impacts students’ career fields Earn career opportunities Almost ten times more likely to have internship Pursue careers in science and technology More than twice as likely to go into S&T career Nearly four times as likely to go directly into engineering http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Who/Impact/Brandeis_Studies/FRC_evaluation_2005_brandeisU.pdf

7. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 7 FIRST Scholarships  For 2009 there are over 120 colleges and universities, professional associations, and corporations from the United States and Canada providing over 550 individual scholarship opportunities, valued at over $9.7 million, to FIRST high school students This is an official recognition of the knowledge and technical and life skills these students have gained from participating in a FIRST competition

8. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 8 FIRST Robotics Competition Pre SeasonFundraising, Training, Team Building January 3rd 2009Season Kickoff, kit of parts delivered February 17th6 week build period complete, ship deadline March 27th-29thRegional Competition at Key Arena (43 others) April 17th-19thChampionship at Georgia Dome (invitation only) Post SeasonFundraising, Training new members, etc

9. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 9 Kickoff Event  TRC is hosting the Kickoff Event; however, due to the number of participants, this is being held at Interlake High School Expecting 700-1000 Students, Parents, Mentors and Teachers from around the state to show up Starts at 6:30 am, with the International broadcast of this years challenge starting at 7:00 am See the competition field for this years event Receive the kit of parts Break-out sessions to discuss the competition, strategies, and rules Lunch Team specific brainstorming Plan on the kids being there much of the day

10. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 10 Build Session  Six weeks to design, order parts, build, program, perform Hardware/Software Integration, refine, fix, practice and ship Time management is imperative to survive Most of the building takes place at either Larry Barello’s garage (in downtown Bellevue) or Bill Setter’s garage (on north Mercer Island) Neither Bill or Larry have kids at the school Both have a good machine shop in their garage Larry was instrumental in forming Titan Robotics, but has been gradually stepping back for several years Bill was recruited last year, and was a key contributor to the team We would like your help in any of these areas if you have a technical background; however, even if you don’t, we need help with… Transporting kids, fixing food, hosting meetings, raising money, promoting the club, providing leadership insight

11. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 11 Build Session time line  Week 1 – Brainstorm design, settle on a concept, start prototyping. Order base parts. Program base control algorithms  Week 2 – Want to complete rolling base.  Week 3 – Start building the appendages. Practice driving base  Week 4 – Complete basic robot  Week 5 – Practice, refine robot, refine S/W code, develop autonomous code, Practice again… and again  Week 6 – Practice, refine robot, refine S/W code, refine autonomous code, crate and ship robot to Regional event  Week 7 – Sleep and recover!

12. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 12 Seattle Regional Competition – Key Arena  Thursday 26 March – Uncrate Robotic, set up Pit, go through inspections, compete in practice round, scout other teams  Friday 27 March – Competition begins! Opening ceremonies Usually about 8 rounds of competition Pit stays open for a couple of hours after matches to repair/refine robotic FIRST Sponsored activities at Seattle Center School is looking at partially subsidizing a bus after school to the competition and evening activities  Saturday 28 March – Competition ends! Usually 3-4 rounds of qualifying competition Alliances are picked just before lunch Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and finals rounds after lunch Awards and Closing ceremonies Pack up robot, clean the pit area, and take team photographs Emotional gambit

13. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 13 International Competition – Atlanta Georgia  Wednesday 15 April - Fly to Atlanta, and check into hotel rooms  Thursday 16 April – Uncrate Robotic, set up Pit, go through inspections, compete in practice round, scout other teams  Friday 17 April – Competition begins! Opening ceremonies Usually about 8 rounds of competition Pit stays open for a couple of hours after matches to repair/refine robotic FIRST Sponsored activities  Saturday 18 April – Competition ends! Usually 3-4 rounds of qualifying competition Alliances are picked just before lunch Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and finals rounds after lunch Awards and Closing ceremonies Pack up robot, clean the pit area, and take team photographs  Sunday 19 April – Fly home

14. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 14 Some of the current mentors…  Amy McIvor: Overall leadership and coordination  Andy Gebhart: Overall Leadership, TRAC, Design, Build, Parts Procurement  Bill Setter: Machine Shop, Design, Build  Mike Tsang: Software/Programming, TRAC  Ron Pyke: Software/Programming, TRAC  John Hornibrook: Coordinating AutoCAD training, arranged for Joint Practice Field, TRAC  Peter and Liz Herreid: Leadership and TRAC  Larry Barello: Machine Shop  Dave Sewell: Design  Jeff Bunch: Design/Analysis  Candice Bunch: Grant Writing  Dan Marsh: Strategy, Transportation … Add your name here!

15. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 15 FIRST Robotics Competition “FIRST is a microcosm of a real engineering experience because it’s a problem too big, in a time too short, with a budget too small, and in fact a team too large.” Dr. Woodie Flowers National Advisor, FIRST Pappalardo Prof. of Mech. Eng., MIT …This is the only sport where everyone on the team can go PRO!

16. Back-Up

17. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 17 Amazing Things Happen 5 minute video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyavvQEDYW0 TRC Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uZuO5Yp_hk&feature=related

18. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 18 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Awards  Regional Chairman’s Award FIRST’s most prestigious award, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. The award helps keep the central focus of the FIRST Robotics Competition on the goal of inspiring greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology.  Engineering Inspiration Award Celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.  Woodie Flowers Award The Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. Dr. William Murphy founded this prestigious award in 1996 to recognize mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication skills. The Woodie Flowers Award is presented to an outstanding engineer or teacher participating in the robotics competition who best demonstrates excellence in teaching science, math, and creative design.  Regional Winners This award celebrates the team or alliance that wins the competition.  Regional This award celebrates the team or alliance that makes it to the final match of the competition.  Autodesk Visualization Award Presented by Autodesk, Inc. and recognizes excellence in student animation that clearly and creatively illustrates the spirit of the FIRST Robotics Competition.

19. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 19 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Awards  Chrysler Team Spirit Award Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork.  Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” Award Celebrates an elegant and advantageous machine feature.  General Motors Industrial Design Award Celebrates form and function in an efficiently designed machine that effectively achieves the game challenge.  Highest Rookie Seed Award Celebrates the highest-seeded rookie team at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds.  Imagery Award Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance.  Johnson & Johnson Gracious Professionalism Award Celebrates outstanding sportsmanship and gracious professionalism in the heat of competition, both on and off the playing field.  Judges’ Awards During the course of the competition the judging panel may decide a team’s unique efforts, performance, or dynamics merit recognition.  Motorola Quality Award Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication.

20. Parent Orientation – 2 Dec 08 20 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Awards  Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Entrepreneurship Award Celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing a team that, since inception, has developed the framework for a comprehensive business plan to scope, manage, and achieve team objectives.  Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award Celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components to provide unique machine functions.  Rookie All-Star Award Celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST to inspire students to learn more about science and technology.  Rookie Inspiration Award Celebrates a rookie team for outstanding effort as a FIRST team in community outreach and recruiting students to engineering.  Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety Award Celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.  Website Award Recognizes excellence in student-designed, built, and managed FIRST team websites.  Xerox Creativity Award Celebrates creativity in design, use of component, or strategy of play.