With these funds I will invest in the required tools, kits, and league fees to effectively design, assemble, program, and control a regulation competition robot to compete in competitions at the local, regional, and international level for FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition.

The newly formed Eaglebots Robotics Club is a rookie FTC 11068 robotics team with FIRST Inspires Robotics competition.

FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology". The mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting Mentor based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.  

Each year the FTC game challenge changes. On September 10, 2016, students will learn the new game challenge and thereafter will get very busy for the next 6 weeks.

Using hand tools, machining tools, and laptop computers, 15 students in 7th and 8th grades will

•  design a robot using AutoCAD,
•  assemble a robot using a Tetrix kit of parts, power modules, and wireless phone communication platform.
•  program the robot, controllers, and the phones using Java and Android Studio.
•  compete at local competitions by controlling the robot to earn points using both an autonomous mode (robot moves via a pre-programmed code) and a teleop mode (robot moves via controllers held by students). 

Sounds easy? Add the element that each competition match is just two and one-half minutes and includes another team as an alliance partner. Together the alliance scores points against another alliance to win a match. In between matches, robots return to the PIT area and are inspected and serviced for damaged parts, programming changes, and re-strategizing with next alliance partner which changes every match. Not so easy anymore.  

Students learning from each other is a contagious component of FIRST. The progression from an idea to a completed device in 6 weeks, including prototyping, testing, and debugging is inspiring. Doing so while both learning and teaching each other is even more inspirational. Each team compiles an Engineering notebook documenting the creative process from start to finish as a testament to the diligence of the competition. Both afterschool and weekend hours are essential to meet goal deadlines.

The FTC 11068 Eaglebots team earned a grant to purchase a basic Tetrix kit and communication modules to build a basic robot, but the team is lacking several items necessary to ensure the opportunity to compete effectively.

• Each student (15) needs a competition t-shirt and a set of hand tools and safety gear (hex key set, screwdriver, safety glasses, mechanics gloves, tool pouch).
• Larger items include a Kit of additional parts to construct ball shooter, linear slide with pulley system, tank tread chassis, and lexicon plastic to protect the power modules.
• Additional supplies include 18v drill, rotary tool kit, multi-screwdriver set, wire strippers, crimping tool, tool box, organizational bin to store parts, and service cart to transport robot from pit area to competition arena.
• Finally, there are competition fees to compete: Houston Central League (1 competition per month in October, November, and December (5 matches each) plus January 2017 for League Championship competition - regional qualifier). Quality items are available at robotic companies: Tetrix, Actobotics, Electronic Parts Outlet, Microcenter; hardware stores: Harbor Freights, Home Depot, AutoZone.

Team Eaglebots will accomplish the above with a team of Mentors (teachers, parents, and community volunteers) in the fields of science, technology, programming, and AutoCAD. Team members participate in Competition Judging Interviews, Community Service, and Outreach to make FIRST known to more students.

FIRST FTC is more than a robot completion, teams earn awards for

1. best all around team (INSPIRE), best autonomous program (CONTROL),
2. best engineering notebook (THINK),
3. best mechanical design (INNOVATION),
4. gracious professionalism and inspiration (MOTIVATE), and
5. match play (TOP Finalist Team).

Teams winning the INSPIRE and TOP Finalist Team awards at local championship move on to a regional championship all the way to FTC World Championship to be held in Houston, Texas in April 2017.

Back Up Plan