Describe the impact of the FIRST program on team participants with special emphasis on the current season and the preceding two to five years FIRST has impacted team members in a number of ways. Students learn skills such as public speaking, leadership, building, programming, teaching, organization, and many more. Students on the team describe an increased sense of belonging when they join the FIRST community. Members enjoy exploring new interests and making lifelong friendships. Alumni from the team have gone on to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Describe the impact of the FIRST program on your community with special emphasis on the current season and the preceding two to five years Over the years FIRST has spread around our area in southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin. This program has increased the interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) around the community. Because of FIRST, students have been gifted the opportunity to explore career options in the field of STEM while still in high school. Several alumni from the Sir Lancer Bots and other teams in the area are now working in the STEM field.
Describe the team’s innovative or creative method to spread the FIRST message The Sir Lancer Bots makes sure the way we spread the message of FIRST is memorable. At school pep rallies, our team uses a robot to shoot t-shirts into the crowd. We also have a candy throwing robot we use in parades. One of the events many community members look forward to see us at every year is Bringing Books to Life, an event where people read books to children. After we read our book to the children, we do a demonstration of our robot. Everyone in the community loves to see what we do.
Describe examples of how your team members act as role models and inspire other FIRST team members to emulate Many 2977 team members dedicate their skill, time, and effort to influence younger members in FIRST. Students from our team have invited FLL teams to come and see our robotics room; they are inspired and strive to work harder. On the FRC level, rookies look up to the veterans for a variety of reasons. The older bers demonstrate how their work ethic and how working as a team can equal exceptional results. Over the years many members of FIRST have looked to Team 2977 as a role model.
Describe the team’s initiatives to help start or form other FRC teams During 2011, Team 2977 started three teams: Aquinas, Luther, and Central. These teams joined us for the 2012 season and together we formed the start of the 7 Rivers Robotics Coalition. Three years and many demonstrations later, our team started three additional teams; Houston, Onalaska, and West Salem. This year our team started a team in Caledonia, and is mentoring both Holman and Westby in their rookie year, as well as assisting another rookie team; Chippewa Falls.
Describe the team’s initiatives to help start or form other FIRST teams (including Jr. FLL, FLL, & FTC) As mentioned in previous summaries, our team has done an exceptional job in helping other FIRST teams. A few years back, we presented what FIRST was to a local school. They could not generate enough interest for a FIRST robotics team but they did not give up. They created a FIRST Lego League team and slowly worked their way up the ladder. After two years of having a FLL team, this school has joined forces with a nearby FRC team to add another program of FIRST to their school.
Describe the team’s initiatives on assisting other FIRST teams (including Jr. FLL, FLL, FTC & FRC) with progressing through the FIRST program Every fall the 7 Rivers Robotics Coalition hosts a day long training summit. This is mostly for rookie members but veterans and alumni also attend. At the event students learn a host of skills, which include logistics of running a team to managing different subsystems within the robot. Many members and mentors from the Sir Lancer Bots run the presentations. Throughout the year many teams both FRC and FLL seek our assistance because of our experience in FIRST.
Describe how your team works with other FIRST teams to serve as mentors to younger or less experienced FIRST teams (includes Jr. FLL, FLL, FTC & FRC teams) Over the years many FIRST teams have come to the Sir Lancer Bots for help. Several students from our team have mentored FLL teams; these students help guide the members from the FLL teams in the right direction. Throughout the regular FRC season, one could expect to see our team helping others. Although we have our own robot to build, our team always make sure to assist other schools when they need it.
Our team has never passed up on helping another team succeed. Describe your Corporate/University Sponsors AcenTek – communications cooperative Mathy Construction – construction and excavating company La Crescent Booster Club – Activities sponsor La Crescent Community Foundation – community foundation La Crescent Rotary – local humanitarian group ISD 300 Foundation – partnering school Torrance Casting Inc. – machining and fabrication Friends and Family – light bulb purchasers Describe the strength of your partnership with your sponsors with special emphasis on the 2013/2014 year and the preceding two to five years
Over the years, we have always tried to give back to our sponsors. We have their logo on our team t-shirts and our team trailer. Our team also sends out letters to all our sponsors, thanking them and letting them know how we did that year. The Sir Lancer Bots also attend a pancake breakfast hosted by AcenTek where we present our robot and the message of FIRST to all who attend. Through our demonstrations we have grew closer to our sponsors. For FIRST Robotics Competition teams older than 5 years, briefly describe your team’s broader impact from its inception
The most prominent accomplishment of our team is spearheading the creation of the 7 Rivers Robotics Coalition. Now composed of 8 teams spanning state lines, the 7 RRC is a registered 501(C)3 nonprofit. In addition to providing funds, technical assistance, and leadership to the 8 teams, the coalition provides assistance and resources to other teams in our area. It has expanded and grown into a model for other teams around the country, and we hope one day will be an inspiration for teams around the world. teams, the coalition
Describe how your team would explain what FIRST is to someone who has never heard of it FIRST brings people together and gives them the opportunity to work together through hands-on learning experiences. FIRST teaches students how to work on real-world challenges, public speaking, problem-solving, and many other useful skills. FIRST gives students a place to belong and provides a fun and interesting learning environment. FIRST inspires youth around the world to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Briefly describe other matters of interest to the FIRST Judges, if any The Sir Lancer Bots started over 10% of the current teams in Wisconsin. Team 2977 is the founder of the 7 Rivers Robotics Coalition, non-profit 501 (c)3. At competitions our mentors are usually volunteering. Of our mentors, we have a lead robot inspector, 3 robot inspectors, a game announcer, a referee and a field reset volunteer. Students on our team have also volunteered at competitions doing field reset and working the safety glasses stand. Everywhere we go, we spread the message of FIRST.