Chairman's Award ­ Team 233 Print
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2016 ­ Team 233
Team Number
233
Team Name, Corporate/University Sponsors
NASA Kennedy Space Center/BECHTEL/School Board of Brevard County/Boeing/PTC/Lockheed
Martin/DRS/GDSO/Health 1st/Millennium Engineering/Rockledge Rotary/Craig Technologies/NASA Alumni
Association/MEA/Cape Canaveral Technical Society & Rockledge Senior High School & Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior
High School & Space Coast Junior/Senior High School & Viera High School
Briefly describe the impact of the FIRST program on team participants with special emphasis on the 2015/2016
year and the preceding two to five years
FIRST has given us numerous opportunities including; friendships, scholarships, and travel experiences. By being
involved with FIRST our students have received over $750,000 in scholarships. This past year we went on a life­
changing adventure to the jungles of Ecuador, where we started and continue to sustain a robotics program in
elementary schools and an FRC team at a high school. The Pink Team strives to create unique opportunities for
students to learn about engineering, design and strategy.
Describe the impact of the FIRST program on your community with special emphasis on the 2015/2016 year and
the preceding two to five years
Pink, through FIRST, has saved our community millions of dollars and priceless lives with the WeatherBot and PDBots.
WeatherBot releases weather balloons in conditions that are dangerous to humans, which has allowed K.S.C. to limit
unnecessary launch scrubs. In addition, WeatherBot is a model for use D.O.D. wide. PDBot was made for local Police
Departments to keep officers and hostages safe in dangerous situations. These are so popular that we have received
requests from across the country!
Team's innovative or creative method to spread the FIRST message
We spread the message of FIRST through many innovative projects and creative demonstrations which include:
Presentations for engineering and civic groups; MSTEM, Rotary, Am Vets, etc. Local community events; CCTS Robotics
Showcase, Cocoa Beach Friday Fest, State Fair, movie theaters, art shows, Haunted House, Otronicon, KSC Family
Night, FLL Kickoff, etc. Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, FIT's The Scott Center for Autism and Einstein Montessori
School for disabled and dyslexic students
Describe examples of how your team members act as role models and inspire other FIRST team members to
emulate
One of our students, Kelsey Rooke, has been an FLL mentor for the entirety of her time on the team. Kelsey created
and mentors 5 FLL teams, trains judges and referees, works with SWE, takes 17 credits at EFSC and FIT, and is part of
our design team. Kelsey has inspired other students to challenge themselves academically and socially, persuading
many to work FLL tournaments and support local teams. Pink also has a buddy system that helps integrate new
students into the fast paced world of FIRST.
Describe the team's initiatives to help start or form other FRC teams
The Pink team has started 4 FRC teams in our history. Teams 801, 1592, and 1875 were located in our local area.
Teams 801 and 1592 are sister teams that work closely together and with us throughout the year. Since their inception,
they have been awarded 34 awards. In 2013 team 1875 lost all school support, so we took them in. Recently we have
broadened our reach to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Pink started team 5814 in Ecuador in hopes to broaden the reach of
STEM and FIRST.
Describe the team's initiatives to help start or form other FIRST teams (including Jr.FLL, FLL, & FTC)
We take several approaches to establishing other FIRST Teams such as: instilling in our alumni the importance of
carrying on their knowledge to start new teams, engaging our community during demos, presentations and science
talks and encouraging every student and parent we encounter. We also make sure teams have the best chance at
success by providing funding, mentors, physical and intellectual resources to keep the teams sustainable. This method
has produced over 60 successful FIRST teams.
Describe the team's initiatives on assisting other FIRST teams (including Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC, & FRC) with progressing
through the FIRST program
Each year The Pink Team supports jrFLL, FLL, FTC, and FRC teams. We have started numerous FLL teams locally and
out of state. Also, we mentor FLL teams and run 6 events, including the state tournament. Our team started and
provided mentors for two FTC teams recently and has hosted FTC events every year. We assist local FRC teams by
sharing ideas and machining or printing parts for them. Our alumni also continue to support FIRST by mentoring and
starting teams after graduation.
Describe how your team works with other FIRST teams to serve as mentors to younger or less experienced FIRST
teams (includes Jr.FLL, FLL, FTC, & FRC teams)
Our team was instrumental in the start of FLL in Florida about 17 years ago; we continue to volunteer as mentors,
referees, and judges. We have worked personally with two local FTC teams for the past 3 years. Our mentors and
members participate in and continue to assist the teams during their season. We help younger FRC teams by
machining parts and sharing ideas. This past year we have become more involved with teams across the world as we
continue to further develop our mentoring program.
Describe your Corporate/University Sponsors
We have 19 corporate sponsors including: NASA, PTC, Boeing, DRS Technologies, Health First, and Bechtel. Our
longest and most generous supporter is NASA; who donates in a financial and intellectual way every year. PTC is a
sponsor that provides us with the software our team uses to design our robots, many students still use the software after
the season ends. DRS Technologies and Bechtel help us pay for robot materials, travel expenses, and entrance fees
for the events we attend year­round.
Describe the strength of your partnership with your sponsors with special emphasis on the 2015/2016 year and the
preceding two to five years
The Pink Team maintains a close relationship with two of our main sponsors, NASA and PTC. Most of the design and
construction of the robot happens on NASA property with NASA tools, machinery, equipment, and especially the
personnel who mentor us. We have also collaborated with NASA on projects outside of FIRST, such as the weather bot,
which is used to monitor weather prior to launches. PTC, provides us Creo modeling software, and uses our robot
model as an example.
Describe how your team would explain what FIRST is to someone who has never heard of it
FIRST is a program intended to shows students what it's like to be an engineer by giving a challenge, a budget, a list of
usable parts and an extremely tough deadline. FIRST is unmatched in its ability to share engineering in real time and
STEM in a real world applications. However, FIRST is more than robots, it's about teamwork and everyone contributing
in different ways to meet the task at hand. Also, FIRST opens doors by connecting students to companies,
professionals and future innovators.
Briefly describe other matters of interest to the FIRST judges, if any
The Pink Team's mission statement is to inspire people of all ages to learn more about science, technology,
engineering, art, and math. In addition, the vision of our team is to provide each person, regardless of gender, race,
economic background, intellectual capacity, and geographic location, the opportunity to explore the world of STEAM
with an emphasis on creating a better world around us. Every decision we make ties directly back to these statements.
Team Captain/Student Representative that has double­checked this submission.
Stephanie Dawson
Essay
Imagine walking into an arena, lights are flashing, robots are running across the field , and all you can hear is "P­I­N­K
PINK! PINK! PINK! P­I­N­K PINK! PINK! PINK!" An entire section of the crowd is decked out in head­to­toe pink; faces
painted, hair dyed, and pompoms waving. This is the enthusiasm and spirit that the Pink Team brings to each and
every FIRST competition. Team 233 takes the meaning of "Gracious Professionalism" to another level. Our students
always speak positively about other teams, cheer for everyone, and treat every new face with the same respect and
regard teams would treat Dean Kamen. This means ALL members of our team make an impact at every event. Pink is
comprised of around 70 students from four different high schools, and every student has a place on the team. Our team
strives to create unique opportunities for students to learn about engineering, design and strategy. The Pink Team has
29 sub­groups that allow each student to pursue their interests. These groups include, but are not limited to,
videography, spirit, business, fundraising, and FLL. Since there are so many options, new students may feel
overwhelmed; we created a buddy system that pairs experienced students with first or second year students. The "big
buddies" are expected to guide and explain the inner workings of the team to their "little buddies." Big buddies also
encourage their little buddies to join groups that may interest them. Many new team members can be shy, so we have
opportunities throughout the year for students to interact with each other in a relaxed setting to help them become
comfortable and engaged. Many of our students were introduced to the Pink Team through the FLL and FTC teams that
we collaborate with and mentor.
The Pink Team has started over 60 jr. FLL, FLL, FTC, and FRC teams. We take several approaches to establishing
other FIRST teams. First, we instill in our students the importance of carrying on their knowledge to start new teams.
While on team 233, every student interacts with the community in some way. Some members focus on FLL, while
others organize and speak at demonstrations throughout the year. Second, we engage our community through
presentations. Half of our presentations occur at science­based events, like the MSTEM event in Cocoa Beach and the
CCTS robotics showcase in Cocoa. The other half of our demonstrations take place at community and STEAM events.
A few examples of community events are movie premieres, art shows, KSC family night, and our annual haunted
house. STEAM events are focused on incorporating art into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For
the past 12 years, The Pink Team has had a sub­group called "Art of the Bot". Through many projects, art has been
incorporated into STEM, which broadens our skills, local interest in our team, and knowledge of FIRST itself. The final,
and most important, approach we have to establishing other FIRST teams: connecting with people from demonstrations
and others throughout the community. With a large group of enthusiastic kids in bright pink shirts and matching hair, it's
easy to gather a curious audience! To connect with younger children and students, we demonstrate our robots by
letting them play and drive them. Our 2012 robot is a favorite because kids love catching the foam basketballs and
rolling them back into the robot. For the parents, we inform them about FIRST scholarship opportunities ­ over $25
million ­ and the ones our own students have received: over $750,000. Once teams have started up and registered with
FIRST, we help them prosper throughout their seasons.
The Pink Team makes sure teams have the best chance at success by providing funding, mentors, various parts, and
shared ideas to keep them sustainable. Our team was instrumental in the start of FLL in Florida about 17 years ago and
we continue to volunteer as mentors, referees, and judges. Pink mentors ten FLL teams and runs at least six events
each year. We host FTC events every year and have worked personally with two local FTC teams for the past three
years. The Pink Team has started four FRC teams in our history. Our three local teams, 801, 1592, and 1875, were
created as an effect of all the interest that was generated from our early successes. Teams 801 and 1592 are sister
teams that work with us throughout the year. Both of these teams have the same mentors that we provided them many
years ago. Since their inceptions, they received a total of 34 awards. Team 1592 also worked with us to provide their
local police department with one of our life­saving robots. Team 233 supports both teams 801 and 1592 throughout the
FRC build season by sharing materials and machining parts for them. In 2013, team 1875 lost all school support, so we
took them in. We continue to reach out to that part of the community, trying to recruit more students from the area. This
past year, we worked to become more involved with teams across the world and continued to develop our mentoring
program. Our outreach was broadened to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where Pink started team 5814 in hopes of spreading
the word of STEM and FIRST. Over winter break, a group of team members traveled to Ecuador to assist the start­up of
team 5814. A mock kick­off event was held using the 2015 FRC game, Recycle Rush, in order to prepare the new team
for this year's game, as it can be overwhelming at first! We also emphasized the importance of FIRST and STEM
especially in a place where it is not already recognized, and asked them to get more people involved. Our hopes for
team 5814 and the rest of Ecuador is to inspire kids to dream a little bigger and to think outside of the box. Bringing
STEM to a country like Ecuador could, in the long run, help solve many issues they have today. Future engineers could
design safer roads, cleaner water, and an improved lifestyle. A long­term goal for our own students is to continue the
mission of spreading the reach of FIRST as far as possible. Our students continue to start and support other teams after
they graduate, and we plan for this trend to continue.
Essay ­ page 2
When spreading the word of FIRST and STEAM education, many of our innovative projects and creative
demonstrations have received a lot of attention. Our local presentations are often for engineering and civic groups such
as MSTEM, Rotary, and Amvets. The state­wide events we participate in annually include: CCTS Robotics Showcase,
Cocoa Beach Friday Fest, the State Fair, movie premieres, art shows, a haunted house, Otronicon, KSC Family Night,
and FLL Kickoff. Curious students or parents will always ask about our team when we bring our giant pink robot to any
event. These events give us the opportunity to reach a crowd we otherwise would not have been able to touch. From 2­
year­olds to 92­year­olds, students and retirees, artists and programmers, we reach out to a wide range of different
audiences. Pink strives to interact with children at all levels, including those with disabilities. Our robots travel to
elementary schools, middle schools, FIT's Scott Center for Autism, and Einstein Montessori Academy, which supports
disabled and dyslexic students. The assumption that disabled or handicapped children can't be involved in STEM is an
issue The Pink Team has been battling for the past 5 years. Team 233 believes that every child should have the
opportunity to explore and learn about STEM. That is why we return to FIT's Scott's Center for Autism every year, to
show the kids receiving treatment there that they can accomplish great things and work as part of a team just like
everyone else.
In spreading the word of FIRST and STEM The Pink Team has taken the opportunity to save our community millions of
dollars and priceless lives with our WeatherBot and PDBots. WeatherBot releases weather balloons in conditions that
are dangerous to humans, which has allowed K.S.C. to limit unnecessary launch scrubs. In addition, the plan is for
WeatherBot to be reproduced for weather stations throughout the United States. PDBot was made for the Rockledge
Police Department to keep officers and hostages safe in dangerous situations. The robot can deliver a package, launch
two canisters, and drag a person away from the situation if they cannot walk, all in a single run. Recently, we worked
with another local Police Department in Cocoa to provide them with a PDBot. During this session, we improved the
design of PDBot, adding an arm to open doors and the ability to climb and descend stairs. These are so popular that
we have received requests from across the country! In fact, we have provided materials for a team in Texas to build a
PDBot. The Pink Team could not have taken advantage of all of the opportunities we have been given without our
generous sponsors.
We have 19 corporate sponsors, some of which are: NASA, PTC, Boeing, DRS Technologies, Health First, and Bechtel.
Our team maintains a close relationship with two of our main sponsors, NASA and PTC. Our longest and most
generous supporter is NASA; who donates in financially and physically every year. Most of the design and construction
of the robot happens on NASA property with NASA tools, machinery, equipment, and the personnel themselves who
mentor us. We have also collaborated with NASA on projects outside of FIRST, such as the WeatherBot and PDBots.
PTC provides us Creo, the modeling software our team uses to design our robots. PTC also uses our robot model as
an example of their software. DRS Technologies and Bechtel help us pay for robot materials, travel expenses, and
entrance fees for the events we attend year­round. Our sponsors provide us with money, materials, and mentors, as
well as the inspiration to achieve our dreams. We receive continuous support from these major companies and we are
so thankful.