FAQ

Questions:

  • What is FIRST®
  • What is FIRST® robotics?
  • When and where does robotics meet?
  • What is the schedule for robotics? (build season, pre-season, and post-season)
  • How can I join (student)?
  • How can I join (mentor)?
  • I am a parent. How can I help?

FIRST® is an umbrella organization that inspires a students to become science and technology leaders. FIRST holds three levels of robotics events:

What is FIRST® robotics?

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition is the most renowned robotics competition for students. Under stringent regulations, along with limited time and resources, high school teams use sophisticated technology to build and code industrial-size robots (about human size) for a “field game.” At district and regional competitions, cheering crowds root for qualifying teams as students contend with their robots for prestigious awards and a coveted spot at the FIRST Championship.

In preparation for the event, each team develops a brand in order to build its reputation and promote STEM activities in the local community. The team is also responsible for raising funds which are used to buy equipment and materials for the construction of the robot and to create items that help publicize its brand. As students learn real-world engineering concepts, they build their confidence and workforce skills as well as connect with professional team mentors and sponsors who can help them succeed. Additionally, they can apply for college, university, and technical program scholarships worth more than $80 million.

FIRST® Robotics Competition is one of four FIRST® programs that strive to foster the talents of the next generation of leaders and innovators.

A brief video introduction of FIRST robotics: https://youtu.be/wSA6InzFAZE

More information about the organization: https://www.firstinspires.org/

(Summary borrowed from: https://youtu.be/wSA6InzFAZE)

When and where does robotics meet?

Our robotics team is located in Culver City High School at 4401 Elenda St, Culver City, CA 90230 in room 91.

Schedule

Pre and post-season period: our team operates after school 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Mondays and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays.

During build season (January to March): our team meets substantially longer: on Monday (3:30-9pm), Wednesday (1:30-9pm), Thursday (3:30-9pm), and Saturday (10-6pm.

Students are not required to go to Robotics every day, but should still try to meet with the team at least once a week.

What is the schedule for robotics? (build season, pre-season, and post season)

Pre-season is any time before January, where students have smaller projects to work on instead of building the robot for the actual competition. Such projects may include building a battery cart, modifying our safety training, or developing a calendar for the coming season.

Build season starts on January 4 and ends some time in March, depending on whether the team qualifies for regionals or not. Build season is when the team meets every day after school to create the competition robot. This is a critical period for the team and many members choose to dedicate most of their free time outside of school to help build the robot.

Post-season is any time after the last competition, and lasts throughout the summer break. Similar to pre-season, students volunteer to work on small projects to expand their knowledge.

How can I join? (for students)

Students are always welcome to join at any time of the year, although most join soon after the school’s club fair (which is when the “official” first meeting of robotics is held). Feel free to stop by in room 91 any time whenever we’re here, which is pretty much every day. There are no requirements to join! You don’t need any experience or background knowledge to join, since teaching people is one of the most important (and fun!) things our team does.

How can I join? (for mentors)

Thank you for your willingness to share some of your knowledge with passionate students interested in learning more about STEM. We are always looking for mentors. Please visit our “Mentoring” page at the top of the navigation bar or click here to learn more about how to join.

I am a parent. How can I help?

Parent support is very important to our team. Every year, Robotics has several events such as the famous back-to-school night spaghetti dinner, which gives us the opportunity invite prospective members to our team and spread the word about Culver City High School’s amazing Robotics Club. You can help donate food items (snacks, bottles of water) to the team. In addition to Robotics events, during build season, parents sign up to bring team dinners. Parents can collaborate with other members’ parents to pay for the food or one parent can take care of the team dinner for the day. You can also donate money (via PayPal) or email us if you have any possible grant/sponsorship programs at a company you work for. Lastly, we are always looking for more mentors (click here for more info), so if you know of anyone who wants to help out, please email us!

You can also sign up for the Robotics parents mailing list for further notifications about our team, (if you’re not already in it) such as kickoff parties or other Team 702 news, by emailing team702robotics@gmail.com and saying you want to join the parent emailing list. We are always grateful to parents who are willing to support the team in any way they can. Thank you for being there for our members and helping the team grow.