Building & Sustaining a Community Robotics Program a Case Study Sharon Youth Robotics Association

Transcription

1 Building & Sustaining a Community Robotics Program a Case Study Sharon Youth Robotics Association Presented by: John Pilvines, coach/mentor of FTC 1, Team Unlimited Alex Falcon, Nick Kondratiev, Benjamin Mende, Patrick Pilvines & Omer Zaidi, members of Team Unlimited

2 Topics The Saga of the Sharon Youth Robotics Association Founding the SYRA Growth in the FLL program Expanding in the FVC/FTC program Community vs. school-based organization FIRST program focus FLL, FTC and/or FRC Organization meetings Orientation and training Focus of teams from casual to dedicated, inward to outward oriented Recruitment Funding Internal scrimmages and competitions Regional and state competitions Outreach

3 The Saga of the Sharon Youth Robotics Association - Founding At the start every robotics program or independent team needs a Champion Ours is Jack Gregory, founder of the SYRA (1999) Started bringing group of kids to MIT robotics course final competition Eager kids ready for first season of FLL Motivation like many, felt that this program would be good for his (and others) kids education Next season will be our tenth anniversary!

4 Starting a FIRST robotics program Build on the experience of an individual team Create the resource structure for expansion Active volunteers are critical after the teams themselves, your most important resource Build on the experiences of others Recruit assistance from existing FIRST groups advice and mentoring Don t t be afraid to experiment there are more than one right answers Recruit actively

5 Community vs. School-based Group The SYRA is a community-based informal organization Sole focus is to foster participation in robotics programs Currently 7 FLL & 3 FTC teams in Sharon Outreach to other teams and programs Mentors share decision making we set our own policies Flexibility recruiting & forming teams by affinity groupings Many school programs are focused on a single grade Not dependent on school budget cycles Conditions set on the use of funds raised by the teams

6 Community vs. School-based Group The SYRA is a community-based informal organization Not dependent on teacher coaches Great where enthusiastic, not so great when assigned Focus on retaining teams in program, year-on on-year Have benefited from cooperation from the Sharon Community Center, the Sharon Public Library, and the Sharon Girl Scouts (facilities for meetings) No non-profit status at present Fully dependent on volunteer coach/mentors

7 Orientation and training All teams members start as rookies Hands on with adult & student mentors at each Tuesday meeting, peer-to to-peer help Many coaches and mentors start as rookies Workshop for new coach/mentors (train the trainer) Peer-to to-peer consultation with experienced coaches Emphasis on Gracious Professionalism Good Sportsmanship, Coopetition, Golden Rule, Shared Achievement we know it when we see it!

8 Volunteer Management Coach/Mentor - appropriate roles and participation Leadership, logistics, resources, food! Limit hands on (especially post-rookie FLL year) Let the kids do it Guide them at need Socratic questioning Support and resources from SYRA peer coaches Orientation/training, ongoing they are not alone! Helps to have buy-in from your significant other Partners coaching together can make for fewer conflicts

9 Volunteer Management Conflict resolution - adults Type A A competitiveness Delicate balance best not to offend volunteers Gracious Professionalism! Conflict resolution - teams Coach the coaches Compatible teams have fewer conflicts Keep teams small (4-6 6 is best, 10 is usually too large) Subgroups on team to take responsibility Encourage FLL teams to build modular robots, plug-in components for sub-team missions

10 Recruitment New teams now usually form entirely of new members Affinity grouped teams tend to stay together longer Encourages recruiting by new recruits Existing teams often add member(s) in a season Coach/mentors are usually parents Our teams are very diverse Sharon is a diverse community We welcome all to participate (including other towns) Ability has no gender, race, ethnicity et al Opportunity shouldn t t either

11 Recruitment Expand organization through: Word of mouth (referrals) Local newspaper article(s) Posters on popular locations Schools, library, stores popular with kids Public appearances (fund raising can be multi-purpose) Team Unlimited raised hundreds of dollars selling prints at a Harvest Festival last fall, recruited half a dozen new FLLers

12 Funding Dues paid by student members support the SYRA Individual teams raise money in various ways Donations Yard Sales Sales of scenic photographic prints of Sharon Lack of non-profit status is an obstacle to large donations and sponsorships SYRA funds support... Team registrations, tournament registrations, tee shirts

13 Internal scrimmages and competitions Set mission challenges for early meetings First team to achieve wins a pound of LEGOs During later meetings teams run the table (timed) Run missions that they have designed for At start of tournament season: Annual Sharon FLL Invitational (for our teams & those closely associated) Before each regional or state tournament, teams run the table to qualify to represent the SYRA Internal run-off at closest meeting Only one state slot per mini-team

14 Regional and state competitions Send two (or three if room) teams to each available MA competition Mentors Team accompanies (when possible) To provide on-site assistance, FTC program promotion, as well as tournament volunteers SYRA teams tend to do well in FLL competition Good mentoring prepared, know what to expect More experience in a timed competitive environment More years of experience (on average) in the FLL program

15 Results on the FIRST fields One of our proudest moments Central MA FLL Robonautica 2005 State Tournament Each of three SYRA teams received an individual award One of our Mentor ss Team received a Mentor s s Award And the three teams together won the Team Spirit Award SYRA teams have been in Atlanta for the past 5 years MA FLL 2008 SYRA team finished first at Eastern MA State SYRA teams finished first and second at Central MA State SYRA teams finished first and second at late-season Boston PowerPlay!

16 FIRST focus FLL, FTC, FRC... We consider the FIRST philosophies to be at the core of our organization For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Gracious Professionalism FLL: we were founded to foster FLL participation FVC/FTC: since demo season (spring 2005) FRC: considering school partnership to form a rookie team next season

17 FLL 1999 FIRST Contact First Season for FLL First Season for Sharon Robotics Five teams organized for internal competition From Cottage St Elementary and the Alternative School Supported by the PTO limited funding One team chosen to compete as FIRST Sharon at Boston Museum of Science Finished second After-season competition in Charlton MA Finished third, Outstanding Leadership award Low profile, because no tee shirts

18 FLL 2000 Volcanic Panic Six teams organized for internal competition From Cottage St Elementary and the Alternative School Still supported by the PTO limited funding Two teams competed as FIRST Sharon A & B B at Boston Museum of Science Finished After-season competition in Charlton MA 3 teams, good results Still no tee shirts!

19 The Saga of the Sharon Youth Robotics Association Growth in FLL program In the 2001 season, the SYRA as we know it today was formed No longer school based PTO funding faded as organization expanded to multiple schools Meetings at the Sharon Community Center Dues-based funding money for tee shirts!

20 The Saga of the Sharon Youth Robotics Association Lessons Learned From first two seasons of FLL... Kids and parents need to create their own teams At least two coaches per team At least three kids per team Girls need other girls on the team to feel comfortable New teams need help getting going Weekly meetings of all teams strengthen ALL teams Tee shirts are essential to team recognition at tournaments, and the shirt is a major tangible for kids

21 FLL 2001 Arctic Impact Seven teams organized for internal competition Students from various elementary plus Middle School Competing as the Sharon Iced Eagles A, B & C Contest for tee shirt designs Competed in 4 tournaments Blackstone Regional, MA State (Robonautica), RI State, Charlton (King of the Hill) post-season season All teams did well in each competition Teams qualified to represent SYRA by internal run-offs Fill remaining roster from other mini-teams

22 Organization meetings Core function of our association: the Tuesday meeting Early in season team formation, kickoff, training for new teams and coaches Regular meetings 90 minutes First 30 minutes for rookies No-pressure Q&A, hands on with adult & student mentors Next 60 minutes for general meeting News, rule clarifications, association business Challenges (a mission, with a prize for 1 st to accomplish) Run timed rounds, as in competition

23 FLL 2002 City Sights Seven teams organized for internal competition Students from various elementary plus Middle School Competing as the Sharon Urban Eagles A, B & C Competed in 4 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State (Robonautica), Eastern MA State, Charlton (King of the Hill) post-season season Our teams did well in each competition, first place in new Eastern MA tournament and in Charlton

24 FLL 2003 Mission Mars Eight teams organized for internal competition Students from various elementary plus Middle School Competing as the Sharon Eagle Robotics A, B & C Competed in 4 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State (Robonautica), Eastern MA State, World Championship in Atlanta Our teams did well in each competition, first place and Director s s Award at Eastern MA tournament Two mini-teams combined to go to Atlanta Current names: Team Unlimited & Angelbots Transformative experience!

25 Focus of robotics teams Many teams are casual Learning and having fun, just another activity Some teams become serious More focus and time commitment, result-oriented Of those teams, some step up to dedicated Year-round round commitment Facing outward, promoting the program and mentoring Our most dedicated teams are a huge resource to the organization!

26 The World Championship Experience Attending the World Championships can be a transformative experience for a young FIRST team Breadth and scope of FIRST Making connections outside of region Motivation to redouble efforts in the future SYRA teams (2 or more) have been at Atlanta every season since April 2004 Motivation to pay it forward,, the foundation of the SYRA Mentors team

27 FLL 2004 No Limits Seven teams organized for internal competition Competing as the Sharon Eagle Robotics A, B & C Angelbots, CoCoColas, Eaglettes,, Robotic Chimps, Unlimited Meeting venue changed to library, due to roof leaks! Competed in 4 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State (Robonautica), Eastern MA State, QCC post-season season Our teams did well in competition, 1st place at Blackstone, 2 nd place in Eastern MA, awards for all & a 3 team shared Team Spirit Award in Central MA

28 The Saga of the Sharon Youth Robotics Association Inception of FVC/FTC Started with the spring 2005 FVC demo season Provided a critical opportunity for continuing the experience of our younger teams One team reconstituted for this opportunity Sharon Angelbots (44), Sharon Myotonics (78), Team Unlimited (13) Teams formed primarily from FLL graduates Teams are organized independently, coordinate loosely Team Unlimited forms the core of the SYRA Mentors Team At least two teams have been in Atlanta every April

29 FVC Spring 2005 Demo season Radio Shack & FIRST Vex Challenge demonstration at World Championships in Atlanta (52 teams) One month build period 4 kits supplied per team Challenge recreated FRC 2004 FIRST Frenzy Raising the Bar Fielded two teams Team Unlimited (FVC 13) & Angelbots (FVC 44) 2 members of a graduated FLL team added in Created new website (eaglevex.syraweb.org) to inform FIRST community quickly became a top Google hit

30 FLL 2005 Ocean Odyssey Six teams organized for internal competition Competing as the Sharon Eagle Robotics A, B Devil Bots, DoodleBots, Fish n n Chips, Motorized Fish, Robotic Chimps Girl Scout House, due to basement flood in library! First season for SYRA Mentors Team, from FVC teams Competed in 3 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State, Eastern MA State Our teams did well in each competition, top half, awards Award for Top Mentor to a member of our Mentors Team

31 SYRA Mentors Team Founded by Team Unlimited, with support from members of the Angelbots and the Myotonics Important to pay forward the tremendous opportunities that we have been fortunate enough to have SYRA FLL team mentoring Internal: kickoff, weekly mtgs, tournaments, invitational External: website, outreach to other teams, volunteering (especially trained FLL referees) Regional FTC mentoring Outreach to other teams, RI FTC program Website, volunteering

32 FIRST program promotion FTC team members promote the FIRST FLL and FTC programs at appropriate venues FLL tournaments, for team members ready to graduate Demos and games (such as Robotic Soccer) FRC tournaments, for introducing the public to FLL & FTC Targets of opportunity, such as... TiECON East (entrepreneurs conference) w/dean Kamen speaking on panel National Science Teachers Association conference

33 FVC Pilot Season Challenge: the Half-Pipe Hustle Fielded three teams Team Unlimited (FVC 13), Angelbots (FVC 44) & Myotonics (FVC 78) Myotonics re-formed from a graduated FLL team Competed at NERVE in Connecticut All three teams to World Championships SYRA Mentors Team founded Mentoring SYRA FLL teams Posting useful info (tournament info, resources, photos) Outreach FVC promotional efforts at FLL venues

34 FLL 2006 Nano Quest Seven teams organized for internal competition Competing as the Sharon Eagle Robotics A, B & C Best Bots, Black Botz, Devil Bots, Eris Bots, Fire Blazers, Motorized Molecules, Nano Brothers (Bricksters 7) Meeting venue Girl Scout House Competed in 5 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State (Robonautica), Eastern MA State, QCC post-season season Our teams did well in each competition, always in the top half of the field, and 1 st place at Eastern MA States 1 st Annual Sharon FLL Invitational, run by Mentors Team Mentors team prevailed, even w/ FLL-FVC FVC season conflict

35 Sharon FLL Invitational competitions Tune-up up competition before Eastern & Central MA Organized and run by the Mentors team Up to eight teams invited Volunteers from all the FTC teams Two tables, two trained refs, scoring table & public display Full judging panel Music, with MC & DJ; snacks! Awards! Held on Sunday, accommodation to our Orthodox team

36 FVC Extended Pilot Season Challenge: Hangin -A-Round Fielded three teams Team Unlimited (FVC 2013), Angelbots (FVC 2044) & Myotonics (FVC 2078) Competed at ConnVex in CT, QCC in MA eaglevex.syraweb.org as a useful web resource for FVC Team Unlimited & Myotonics to World Championships SYRA FTC Mentors Team major focus continues Mentoring, outreach, website, promotion of FVC Focus on relationship building with other programs Assisted w/ri FVC kickoff, workshops & championship

37 FLL 2007 Power Puzzle Seven teams organized for internal competition Competing as the Sharon Eagle Robotics A, B & C Best Bots, Black Botz, Devil Bots, Eris Bots, Fire Blazers, Motorized Molecules, Nano Brothers (Bricksters 7) Meeting venue Girl Scout House Competed in 5 tournaments Blackstone Regional, Central MA State (Robonautica), Eastern MA State, Boston PowerPlay! Our teams rocked! 1 st place at Eastern MA States, 1 st & 2 nd place at Central MA States, 1 st & 2 nd place at Boston PowerPlay! 2 nd Annual Sharon FLL Invitational, run by Mentors Team

38 FTC FTC accepted Challenge: the Quad Quandary Fielded three teams Team Unlimited (FTC 1), Angelbots (FTC 120) & Myotonics (FTC 512) Competed at Manchester CT and Palmer MA eaglevex.syraweb.org as a useful web resource for FTC Team Unlimited & Angelbots to World Championships SYRA FTC Mentors Team major focus continues Mentoring, outreach, website, promotion of FVC Focus on relationship building with other programs Assisted w/ri FTC kickoff, workshops & championship

39 FLL 2008 Climate Connections Plans for coming season Expand fund-raising Transfer meetings back to the Sharon Community Center Expand recruiting efforts for FLL teams Alter newspaper coverage tactics Double the size for the Fourth Annual Sharon FLL Invitational, to be held at the Sharon Community Center Recruit up FTC teams, many graduating seniors Potentially start an FRC team in conjunction with Sharon High School

40 FTC FTC changes in the wind Challenge yet revealed (TBD) Vex Development System being replaced by a new kit integrated by Pitsco (most existing teams displeased) Competing programs making severe inroads to the FTC program in New England (Savage Soccer, VexLabs) SYRA teams recruiting up to replace large number of graduating seniors Planning kickoff & workshops for MA FTC As we assisted with in RI past two seasons Potential for starting an FRC team in Sharon

41 Wrap-up Advantages to larger group Bringing the message of FIRST to more people More resources from more dedicated & experienced people Many hands make light work... but too many cooks... Challenges to larger group Having all pull in compatible directions Leaving no one out Questions? The Rewards? Intangible but real... The success of a program like this is the success of kids in your community!