Parent Information v1.2
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Saints Robotics Parent Information 2008-2009
What is Saints Robotics?
Within the school, we are technically considered an after-school club. However,
this description does not mention that we are a part of an organization called
FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. FIRST is an
international interscholastic group formed to encourage students to pursue
careers in science and technology. We participate in a yearly competition: just
like an interscholastic sport. However, instead of students being the ones playing
the game, we must construct (and pilot) a robot that fits to certain criteria that is
able to play the game. Each year or “season” has a new game. Robotics is
competitive: every game has two teams (red and blue) of three robots each
trying to score the most point by accomplishing in-game objectives. Each robot
is from a different team, and each team is from a different school. Matches are
high-intensity and it would be more proper to consider ourselves a hightechnology after-school interscholastic sport based at Interlake High School.
What kind of robots do you build?
The robots we build must fit size and weight limits, as well as safety criteria. Aside
from that, there is significant leeway with the parts used. The components are
limited for safety and hazard reasons (pneumatic systems are allowed but not
hydraulics), but we are allowed to use anything that does not violate safety and
power limits (12v motorcycle battery). We are allowed to use many different
kinds of sensors and custom circuits, and some teams even use additional
processing circuits. Robots must be completed in six weeks from the unveiling of
the season’s game, meaning there is precious little time during the build season.
Who participates in this?
Saints Robotics is officially led by Mr. Cooney, a technology teacher at Interlake.
In practice, we are almost entirely student-run. We are student-centered but rely
on parent mentors and other adults to help teach us. Any student can
participate, so long as they are interested in what we do.
Why do you do this?
We are students who are interested by science and technology. It is very
satisfying to work together as a team to accomplish something in a field that
one is interested in. Robotics allows students to gain experience and knowledge
in working in technology-related fields. As a group, FIRST aims to inspire students
about engineering and the sciences and after three years we can say we have.
What else do you do?
Aside from administration, robotics has four main functions: design and build a
robot, program it, create art and graphics for the team, and raise funds and
awareness. See the duties breakdown on the next page for more information.
www.interlakesaintsrobotics.org | www.usfirst.org | www.firstwa.org
Thank you to our sponsors
Bezos Family Foundation | Magellan Architects | Case Engineering
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Edited 9.25.2008
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Subgroup Organization
Note that the entire club meets on Wednesdays from 12:40 to 2:00. Our meeting
place is room 1808 unless specified otherwise. In addition, each subgroup will
schedule other meeting days (on weekends and/or in the evenings) in order to
better accommodate parent and industry volunteers.
Public Relations
Engineering
Led by: Olivier Fontenelle
Led by: Derik Radcliffe
Meets: Fridays 3:10-4:10
Meets: Tuesdays 3:10-4:10
Responsible for: Raising funds. Planning Responsible for: Designing, machining,
events. Community outreach.
assembling, wiring, testing, and fixing
the robot. Creating the operator
interface.
Developers
Graphics
Led by: Ankur Dave
Led by: Tony Moore
Meets: Thursdays 3:10-4:10
Meets: Fridays 3:10-4:10
Responsible for: Running the website.
Responsible for: Team uniforms/shirts.
Programming the robot for
Team logos and graphics. 3Ds Max
autonomous and remotely-operated
animation competition entry.
modes.
Computer-Aided Design. Aesthetic
design.
Aside from the above groups, we have four “administrators”: President, CoPresident, Senior Vice President, and Junior Vice President. Two of them must be
underclassmen so that we can continue operating while students graduate.
More so than the subgroup officers, these students are responsible for working
with the school administration, organizing the students, and making sure
everyone knows what they are doing.
A Call for Help
We cannot function without adult help! We need people who know how to use
tools (both regular and power), have experience or an interest in engineering,
programming, web-design, or public relations to observe us and tell us when we
are doing something wrong. We cannot improve if we do not have anyone
teaching us or giving us hints, and we can all benefit from sharing knowledge!
We are funded by sponsorships – any information about a potential sponsor or
matching program is welcome. You are also welcome to donate to our club.
During the build season we expect to stay at school for at least an extra three
hours, and food makes these hours more bearable. Mr. Cooney cannot stay as
often as we would like him to. We need off-campus storage locations and/or
work facilities. Any form of donation is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible
as FIRST is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
For more information about the team, please visit one of the related websites
below.
www.interlakesaintsrobotics.org | www.usfirst.org | www.firstwa.org
Thank you to our sponsors
Bezos Family Foundation | Magellan Architects | Case Engineering
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Edited 9.25.2008
Page 3 of 3
Parent Information Section
I have read the preceding informational document.
________________
________________
________________
Name
Signature
Date
________________________________
Email address
 I would like to join the Saints Robotics team by contributing in some way.
Please send me more information about contributing. I will also receive
monthly informational e-mails.
 I would like to sign up for monthly informational e-mails only.
 Please do not contact me about Saints Robotics (include name).
Student Information Section
________________________________
Name
________________________________
Email address
________________________________
Cellular phone number
 I do not wish to be involved in Robotics (include name)
I will be participating in the following:
 Public Relations (Fridays)
 Engineering (Tuesdays)
 Website/Coding (Thursdays)
 Graphics (Friday)
 Send me a copy of the weekly parental information e-mails
Feedback about this informational form/other comments
We are always seeking to improve. Please comment about this form (i.e. “too wordy”).
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
www.interlakesaintsrobotics.org | www.usfirst.org | www.firstwa.org
Thank you to our sponsors
Bezos Family Foundation | Magellan Architects | Case Engineering