E N G I N E E R I N G N O T E B O O K
STRATEGIC/SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
An FTC team’s success is driven by its ability to be sustainable and competitive. There are several different components required to achieve this goal. One of these components is financing our team, Team 3507 Robotheosis. The team is totally financed by our school, Francis W. Parker. Due to the private nature of the school, Parker does not allow the team to raise funds externally. This makes the team’s situation very different from many other teams.
The second component is how to advance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Parker. If we can advance STEM at the school, we will have more students become interested in robotics. STEM was not in Parker’s core reputation when it was founded in 1909. Parker was known for being a progressive school for liberal arts education, and many alumni entered professions like law, business, and education. However, over the past few years the school has raised the profile of STEM at Parker. In the past decade the school has rebuilt the science wing, and launched both FTC and FRC teams in the 2009/10 school year. The FTC awards we have won over the years include:
For several years we did FRC and FTC in tandem; however for the 2016/17 year we decided to go FTC exclusively. This decision was made because FTC now covers eight months which largely matches the Parker school year. Due to our FTC involvement, Parker now offers the following computer science and engineering classes that align with the FTC game season:
The third way to make a program sustainable is to continually recruit new members because experienced members eventually graduate. Our team does this in numerous ways, one of them being support for FLL in Parker’s middle school. Parker is a K-12 school and therefore the majority of students in FLL go into the High School and join FTC/FRC teams. An additional way we get new members is by promoting robotics to new high schoolers just entering Parker. (see below for more detail on Outreach activities)
The fourth and final way is recruiting qualified mentors and gaining dedicated space. We now have a portion of a classroom and our own storage space, but we continue to seek our own room dedicated solely to robotics, possibly in tandem with engineering and computer science classes linked to robotics. The team’s main issue is not having enough technical and engineering type mentors. We started the school year with three science teachers and one parent alum as mentors. However, this year we succeeded in recruiting two individuals who use CAD professionally to help their clients create new products. These two CAD specialists meet with our team once a week to help inculcate the design process and offer feedback on student designs. This has certainly benefited the team. We continue to look for practicing mechanical engineers whose expertise would further benefit the team. This remains our key mentor issue.
An FTC team’s success is driven by its ability to be sustainable and competitive. There are several different components required to achieve this goal. One of these components is financing our team, Team 3507 Robotheosis. The team is totally financed by our school, Francis W. Parker. Due to the private nature of the school, Parker does not allow the team to raise funds externally. This makes the team’s situation very different from many other teams.
The second component is how to advance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Parker. If we can advance STEM at the school, we will have more students become interested in robotics. STEM was not in Parker’s core reputation when it was founded in 1909. Parker was known for being a progressive school for liberal arts education, and many alumni entered professions like law, business, and education. However, over the past few years the school has raised the profile of STEM at Parker. In the past decade the school has rebuilt the science wing, and launched both FTC and FRC teams in the 2009/10 school year. The FTC awards we have won over the years include:
- 2009 Illinois Championship Tournament- Finalist Alliance 1st Place
- 2013-14 Chicago Regional Qualifying Tournament- Rockwell Collins Innovate Award
- 2013-14 Chicago Illinois Qualifying Tournament- Winning Alliance
- 2015-16 Chicago League Championship- Rockwell Collins Innovate Award
- 2015-16 Chicago League Championship- 3rd Place Inspire Award
- 2015-16 Illinois State FTC Tournament- Innovate Award Finalist
- 2016-17 Chicago League Championship - Inspire Award Winner
- 2017-18 Chicago League Championship - Inspire Award Winner
- 2017-18 Chicago League Championship - Winning Alliance
- 2017-18 Chicago League Championship - Control Award Winner
- 2017-18 Illinois State FTC Tournament - Innovate Award Winner
- 2017-18 Illinois State FTC Tournament - Design Award Finalist
- 2017-18 North Super Regional - Ortberg Division Finalist Alliance
For several years we did FRC and FTC in tandem; however for the 2016/17 year we decided to go FTC exclusively. This decision was made because FTC now covers eight months which largely matches the Parker school year. Due to our FTC involvement, Parker now offers the following computer science and engineering classes that align with the FTC game season:
- Introduction to Computer Programming Required for all freshmen beginning 2018-2019. Teaches students how to use computational modes of thinking to frame and solve problems. Focuses on creation of computer applications, emphasizing coding and modern design principles. Students will create interactive games using the Python programming language.
- Computer Programming Advanced programming concepts and methods for computational problem solving. Students will create simulations, graphical user interfaces, and graphs based in the Python programming language.
- Physical Computing Students design, build and program microcontroller projects to interact with the environment through sensors, lights, sounds, and motors. Teaches introductory computer programming skills in C++ programming language.
- Robotics Students apply math and science concepts and engineering principles to build and program robots to compete in FTC or FRC. Focuses on engineering process, robotics programming, Computer Aided Design, 3D printing, electrical circuits, and mechanics. This class serves as the design and fabrication team for the Upper School robotics teams.
The third way to make a program sustainable is to continually recruit new members because experienced members eventually graduate. Our team does this in numerous ways, one of them being support for FLL in Parker’s middle school. Parker is a K-12 school and therefore the majority of students in FLL go into the High School and join FTC/FRC teams. An additional way we get new members is by promoting robotics to new high schoolers just entering Parker. (see below for more detail on Outreach activities)
The fourth and final way is recruiting qualified mentors and gaining dedicated space. We now have a portion of a classroom and our own storage space, but we continue to seek our own room dedicated solely to robotics, possibly in tandem with engineering and computer science classes linked to robotics. The team’s main issue is not having enough technical and engineering type mentors. We started the school year with three science teachers and one parent alum as mentors. However, this year we succeeded in recruiting two individuals who use CAD professionally to help their clients create new products. These two CAD specialists meet with our team once a week to help inculcate the design process and offer feedback on student designs. This has certainly benefited the team. We continue to look for practicing mechanical engineers whose expertise would further benefit the team. This remains our key mentor issue.