The FEDS - What We Do

The following was our Chairmans Essay submission in 2010.

Sturdy, dependable and meticulously cared for, Team 201’s 2009 robot hardly needed any work between rounds. When one of the FEDS’s mentors saw a rookie team repeatedly having trouble during matches, key mentors and members of the team jumped in to help. Restructuring portions of the robot and rewriting bits of code aided the rookies invaluably, enabling them to fully participate in the excitement of competition. Inside and outside of competitions, Team 201 strives to contribute positively to its community while providing an unforgettable experience to its members and spreading the message of FIRST.

Year-round, students on the Rochester Robotics Team exhibit camaraderie inside, as well as outside of school. While involved in activities from ski team to marching band, team members are still linked by a common bond—the FEDS. Between each year’s group of students and the school they attend, there is a unique relationship. Faculty and custodians graciously allow Team 201 to haunt an entire wing of the building for over 20 hours each week, including the auto and wood shops, a computer lab, and two extra classrooms. Thus spoiled, the team has slowly crept towards further reaches of the school, procuring a prominent display case for its collection of awards. Along with expanding its physical boundaries, the FEDS have exponentially increased their sponsor base. A few years ago, General Motors Research and Development was the sole financial supporter of the struggling robotics team at Rochester High School. In 2009, poor economic times almost prohibited Team 201 from competing in the National FIRST Competition. Even after scrimping, saving, and fundraising all year, the entry fee was still too costly. At the last minute, however, Anstalt für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen List (AVL) saved the team by donating money to its humble cause. With their economic support, the FEDS were given a chance to shine, reaching the Semi-Finalist position in the Archimedes Division. Additionally, Team 201 now has Walmart and American Compounding Specialties supporting its efforts.

As the Rochester Robotics Team has developed in prior years, its methods of spreading the message of FIRST have become more spirited, as well as efficient. In order to “to change the way young people regard science and technology”, the FEDS set a goal of involving as many students as possible. To reach this goal, the team accepted every student that applied this year. In past years, an application was submitted by each prospective member and then reviewed by the mentors to decide who would make the team. Excitement, built throughout the season, is passed on to grade school students by a select group of team members. Once the competition season is over, this set of students gives presentations at local elementary and middle schools. Attempting to impress the FEDS’s enthusiasm for FIRST upon young minds, a small assembly is put together with that year’s robot and an explanation of the program. In addition, Team 201 takes educational tours of different companies each year including Fanuc, Unisolar and College Park Industries (CPI). This expands students’ knowledge of real-life applications for various fields of interest they are exposed to during the season.
The FEDS aim to impact not only their school and neighboring community, but the entire nation and beyond. To involve the Rochester School District, Team 201 presented its successes to the Board of Education, communicating its excitement and informing them about FIRST. Aside from holding educational demonstrations for younger students, the team has begun collecting plastics, batteries and used materials to recycle. Shortly after January 12, 2010, a few members took the initiative to rally the team to have a school-wide fundraiser in support of Haiti. All of the money collected, totaling over $500, was donated to the Red Cross’ Haitian relief efforts. In a similarly charitable manner, Team 201 has participated for the past few summers in a 24-hour walk, called Relay for Life, in support of cancer research, and has donated to the program World Vision. Raising money for non-profit organizations such as these teaches students humility and gives an appreciation of how lucky our team is.

Through its environmental consciousness, safety and constant positive thinking, Team 201 seeks to set high standards for other teams to follow. This year, in support of the “green” trend, the Rochester Robotics Team is extending its recycling habits to nearby competitions. Instead of cringing inside with each plastic bottle that is thrown carelessly into the trash, the team is offering the opportunity to make a better choice for the environment. Bringing bins to station in the pits for recyclables, Team 201 plans to make announcements during the festivities to encourage others to recycle. Besides working to keep the Earth clean, the FEDS maintain a pristine work space—safety being the team’s top priority. Not only is the pit spic and span, but the team’s first aid kit is top notch. From countless types of Band-Aids, to cold packs and ace bandages, the team is prepared for nearly all emergency situations, and is willing to aid others first if the need arises. Another admirable trait is the perpetual good sportsmanship in the face of unfavorable odds; cheering, persistence and team work with other alliance members helps to pull the team through. Similarly, disappointing losses are met with gracious professionalism and no hard feelings.
FIRST, while spreading its influence globally, has impacted the Rochester community in various ways. Students get the unique opportunity to work with professionals in many potential careers of interest. By learning from these experienced individuals, team members gain knowledge about mechanical build, carpentry, computer design, programming, public relations and the process of collaboration in the business world. For example, one of our newest mentors taught a senior student how to effectively use such tools as the lathe and drill press. Another student learned how to use Autodesk Inventor to draw up parts and assemblies to create a visual of the robot. Besides specific skills, mentors teach lessons that members will need in life—cooperation, organization and varying degrees of leadership. These essentials grow in the FEDS because of its involvement in FIRST. From another viewpoint, FIRST has affected the Rochester community by spreading its message of science and technology through Team 201’s numerous media publications, including ABC’s local evening news, the Rochester Post, The Talon (school newspaper), The Oakland Press and the Rochester Community School District’s website. Rochester and Oakland County have taken note of the FEDS accomplishments and community service, which in turn reflects the goals of the FIRST program. Within the high school, FIRST has given a different type of student the chance to stand out for their specialties; this year, the team has received recognition from Rochester High School via the bestowing of a varsity letter for their efforts. A few of the stringent requirements to earn this award include a certain number of hours committed to the team throughout the season, cooperation with other team members in a productive environment and competition attendance.

Along the journey of spreading the FIRST message, members gain experience working in a business-like setting, expanding their skills, building strong relationships and helping others. By displaying role model characteristics, the FEDS set high standards, strive to live by them, and hope to inspire other teams to do the same. Because of their excitement, the FEDS attempt to impact the community in various ways through presentations, donations and recycling. Activities such as these have made Team 201 grow into a united, cooperative group that is all focused upon one goal: positively affecting the community through the impact of FIRST.