VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION (FRC)

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What is FRC Robotics?

A division within the MSP Robotics League where 9th to 12th grade students join a robotics team and participate in the annual themed FRC Championship event. Teams are tasked with designing, building and programming their 125-pound industrial-size robot to play a challenging field game against other competitors in an alliance format at the tournament. A team’s potential to advance is contingent upon their overall performance at a tournament.

FIRST Philosophies

Gracious Professionalism : Demonstrating high-quality work, highlighting the value of others and respecting individuals and the community.

Coopertition: A fusion of the words "Cooperation" and "Competition", demonstrating that learning is more important than winning. Teams can help others even as they compete.

Core Values

There are six (6) FIRST Core Values that each team should practice among team members and demonstrate at the FRC competitive events.

DISCOVERY : We explore new skills and ideas.

INNOVATION : We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.

IMPACT : We apply what we learn to improve.

INCLUSION : We respect each other and embrace our differences.

TEAMWORK : We are stronger when we work together.

FUN : We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Teams are also encouraged to express the Core Values through Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition which will be evaluated throughout FRC tournaments. It is advantageous for teams to spend 15-20 minutes each practice completing teambuilding exercises, preparing them to readily demonstrate teamwork to judges at an event.

Competition Components / Rewarded Achievements of FRC Championships:

→ Game Play

→ Robot Design and Programming

→ Demonstrating Community Outreach

→ Gracious Professionalism / Coopertition

→ Ability to overcome obstacles

ROBOTICS SEASON EXPECTATIONS OF MSP VOLUNTEERS

Commitment & Consistency

♦ Fall Season: September - April → Saturdays (10:00am - 2:00pm)

MSP Robotics Practice Location

♦ Minneapolis → 2131 North 12th Avenue, 55411

AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Software Engineering Technical Coach

→ Help your team become familiar with programming tools such as LabVIEW, Java, Python, CSS, etc.

→ Support your team as they program their robot to complete the competition objectives.

→ Provide programming training as needed and requested by your team.

♦ Mechanical Engineering Technical Coach

→ Assist your team with their robot’s structural build utilizing the Kit of Parts (KoP) System as a starting point.

→ Support your team as they strategize and design their robot to be in alignment with the competition theme, requirements, and objectives.

→ Provide programming training as needed and requested by your team.

♦ Electrical Engineering Technical Coach

→ Help your team become familiar with the Robot Control System Hardware.

→ Support your team as they strategize and design their robot to meet the competition requirements, and objectives.

→ Assist your team with the wiring and provide training as needed and requested.

♦ Non-Technical Coach (Mentor)

→ Prepare your team to demonstrate FIRST Philosophies and Core Values at the robotics competition(s) .

→ Assist your team with setting up opportunities to do Community Outreach at MSP events and activities.

VolUNTEERS MUST:

→ Provide a positive STEM experience, especially for all our BIPOC youth MSP participants.

→ Enjoy working with high school students. *Up to five (5) students per team.

→ Facilitate team practices at an assigned MSP location during the scheduled times.

→ Assist your robotics team in developing programming, design and other critical engineering skills.

→ Have the ability to support youth in team building activities, research, projects, and presentations.

→ Provide your own transportation. *Coaches and Mentors are not required to transport students.

→ Pass a Youth Screening and Background Check.

MSP WILL:

♦ Provide all the resources necessary for you to focus on helping your team learn the fundamentals of research, group presentations and teamwork which includes but is not limited to:

→ Recruiting and assigning students to your team as well as providing practice and training space.

→ Taking care of administrative tasks such as team communication and coordination.

→ Handling fundraising efforts along with competition registration, fees, team t-shirts, etc.

→ Providing FRC competition equipment and materials (i.e., laptop, build and control systems, software, hardware tools, playing field, office & crafting supplies, etc.).

→ Identifying other MSP volunteers, staff and interns that are to be considered additional support.

To enhance and expand the team's problem-solving skills, additional software and hardware opportunities with Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 3D Printing as well as mechanical advanced parts and supplies are made available to students.

INTERESTED?

Become an MSP Volunteer! Go to the MSP website (mnstempartners.org) to complete the MSP membership registration. Already a member? Email your preferred volunteer role to MSP Volunteer Manager Janelle Rose (Janelle@mnstempartners.org or Volunteer@mnstempartners.org). Email any additional information requests, questions or concerns to info@mnstempartners.org . We look forward to hearing from you!

Abbreviation Key:

♦ MSP → Minnesota STEM Partnership

♦ BIPOC → Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color

♦ STEM → Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics