How to Start a Robotics Team

Why Start a Robotics Team?

 * Robotics programs are growing in popularity in Michigan, even gaining attention from Governor Rick Snyder
 * A lot of effort is going into making state-funded grants currently available
 * Robotics introduces a variety of STEM skills and experiences(3d modeling, manufacturing, engineering, prototyping, robotics, electronics, physics, materials, computer science)
 * The robotics programs promote cooperation between opposing teams, which enables everyone to experience supportive competition environments, especially for new teams

What Robotics Programs are there?(WIP)

 * Summary: description of parts used, robot size
 * Considerations: Age of group, experience (side-by-side comparisons)
 * Statistics: popularity (330 FLL 2013, 166 FTC 2013, 277 FRC 2014)
 * Choices: Jr. FLL, FLL, FTC, VEX, FRC, check that VEX website, Ohio something
 * Cost: FLL – New teams: $750-900; Returning teams: $350-450
 * FTC – New teams: $1500-1700; Returning teams: $600-800
 * FRC – New teams: $6000-8000; Returning teams: $5000-7000
 * Grants available:
 * FLL – $300 to rookie elementary school age teams (2013 & 2014)
 * FTC – $1500 to rookie middle school age teams (2013)
 * FRC - $7500 to rookie high school age teams and some veteran teams (2014)
 * Season
 * Software
 * What is judged?

How to Start a Team(WIP)
How to find help for team?
 * Local Peer teams
 * Local FRC teams
 * Michigan FIRST office

Steps:
 * Register a team
 * Populate your team
 * Coach, students, mentor
 * Fund-raise

Encouragement for Rookie Teams: Pictures of rookie robots and inexpensive builds

Links for Further Information
FIRST Websites:
 * US FIRST
 * FIRST in Michigan

Start an FLL Team

Start an FTC Team

Start an FRC Team