Team 1778 - MTHS Robotics

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Team Mentors

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We have asked all the mentors to answer few of our questions.

  1. What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics?
  2. What has been the Most fun?
  3. From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students?
  4. What was your proudest moment?

 

 

Mr. Stone :: Human nature is such that our work becomes us. When asked who you are ... you respond with your Job Title. Man's pride comes from his work. A man who builds a bridge, will always be proud of that accomplishment; even "all" if he did was put rivets in, or pour concrete, or paint it. You would think it would be just the designer who is proud of his bridge, but it is not. It is everyone on the Team who is proud of the finished product. As we humans grow (in age, in responsibility, in our family, in our jobs, in a team, in everything we do) we go through definite phases. Those phases are: 1) being a helpless infant (or new employee or a new team member) relying on everyone else, 2) being an observer (who doesn't contribute), 3) being a student (who takes pride in learning and growing), 4) being a worker (who is driven to do the work and get the job done) and finally 5) being a mentor/teacher (who takes much more pride in showing than doing). In a few short weeks I went from being a new team member just showing up at Robotics meetings, to observing the team's leader/worker interactions and processes, to learning (about FIRST game rules, about robots, about pneumatics, about FIRST electrical requirements, about Herky, about MTHS Robotics Club structure/process, about how some students learn differently, about how students/adults deal with stress, Etc.), to being a worker (who shows up, stays involved and gets things done), and finally to being a Mentor. As a Learner, it was most meaningful to me when, after successfully assembling a pneumatic board and working prototype pneumatic arm, Ms. Powell asked/commented to me: "You have never dealt with pneumatics before, have you?" Respect from someone you respect is priceless. As a Worker, it was most meaningful to me when one day I showed up at 3:30PM, there were no Teachers or other Mentors there. I was bombarded with "Mr. Stone -- What should I do?" Being accepted and needed is priceless too. To answer the questions 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? As a Mentor, it was most meaningful to me to see the Students take charge and push the Teachers and Mentors out of the way. This feeling of involvement and ownership of their own destiny is what all Teachers and Mentors strive to inspire in their Students. 2). What has been the Most fun? The Regional competition was the most fun part of the endeavor. The cheering, the pit decorations, the buttons, the matching shirts, the robot passing inspection and functioning, and the students taking charge all came together in a flurry of excitement and emotion. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? give 1 or 2 examples. 1) Competition seems to bring out the best in atheletes, whether professional atheletes or weekend warriors. Regional competitions gave all a goal to strive towards. FIRST inspired students and teams by providing competetion on a somewhat level playing field: all teams have the same information, same rules, same components and same time frame. 2) FIRST inspired students by telling them the students can do it, and then by following through by only allowing students to answer questions, to be the drivers, Etc. 3) It is very easy to get into a rut and just do what you did last year again this year. FIRST inspires students by putting in the extra effort to change the competition, the rules, the game, and the field every year. 4). What was your proudest moment? My proudest moment was when I was asked to be on the Portland Stadium floor working with Abdur, Brandon and Nicoli to keep the robot running. It was unexpected, it was totally fulfilling and a fantastic way to thank/acknowledge me for my involvement and effort over the previous few months.

Mr. Crader :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? The most meaningful part of the MTHS Robotics program to me is the experience of working with my son and all of his classmates in this very unique and challenging process. Being given the task of building a robot to complete a specific task in a 6 week time period is no easy task and watching the students come together and become a single entity to tackle this problem is truly an amazing process. From the very beginning of dreaming up the concept to the competition of the building stage of the robot and then moving onto competition, building that special bond with the students as well as the mentors who support the students in being successful, is a truly rewarding experience and I challenge all of the parents that have students in the FIRST program to get involved in taking the FIRST Challenge. 2). What has been the Most fun? The most fun part of the whole experience was going down to the FIRST Regional competition, working in the pits with the students and mentors, fixing the problems with the robot, sometimes putting the screw back into the robot as it was being wheeled back out onto the playing field for the next competition. It is TRULY amazing to watch the students and mentors perform under extreme pressure, "thinking outside the box", and getting everything back up and running to make it to the next match. The other "Magical" thing that occurs is that whenever a team has a problem, there is a magical transformation with all of the other robotics team, in which many other teams will converge around the team that has problems. They all form one big collective to get that teams robot repair and back onto the playing field. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? The FIRST experience forces the students to think "Outside the Box" by coming up with creative way to working as a large collective unit in dreaming up a plan, turning that plan into a drawing, transitioning the drawing into AUTODESK Inventor and then creating a prototype in which to turn their dreams into a reality. No one student can make this happen on their own, each student must learn to communication effectively, listen and validate all of the students ideas and then form an approach that all of the students agree on. Another couple of skill sets that the students develop in the FIRST program are communication and conflict resolution. Communication: Whether it be brainstorming to come up with a design, or trying to figure out how to keep the transmission motors from failing, there is a lot of group interaction and not everyone has the same communication style. It is very important to for the students to understand different approaching in communication with others and to share ideas, thoughts and concepts in order to create a successful plan of attack and get the goal accomplished. All the will ensure that the team is in agreement and everyone has buyoff in the plan. Conflict Resolution: As in real world situations, it is not uncommon in critical or stressful situations to have some take control of a project and create stress and turmoil. There were several times during the process in which the mentors lost sight in these sense of who's project this really was. The students became very good at raising their hands and saying, " Time out, this is our project and we need to be the ones making the decisions and deciding what should and should not be done. The students became very good at owning the whole project and process, communication to the mentors about what they saw was going wrong and how the wanted the process to go in the future. Over these past months, I have a bunch of new found friends, both mentors and adults who formed a common goal of building a successful robot, competing in open competition and continuing the process far after the Regional competition has concluded. This whole process is an awesome excellent experience and watching the students grow as they are nurtured by the teachers and mentors and visa Vera is truly rewarding and creates memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Regards, Kevin Crader / Mentor and Father of a student of Team 1778 Mr. Nicholson :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? The chance to spark an interest in the science and technology that make up our world. It has been such a big part of my life and now I have a vehicle to pass that interest on to another generation. 2). What has been the Most fun? Getting to know some very inspiring people, both students and mentors. I love watching people change as they get exposed to new ideas. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? FIRST provides students with a reason for learning by placing real tangible problems in front of them. They have a goal with real rewards at the end. These rewards are not only immediate but will follow them for the rest of their lives. The students understand that and it provides a motivation that is no found elsewhere. 4). What was your prodest moments? Watching at Portland last year as they worked together as a team, making hard decisions, picking each other up, and succeeding in the face of so many problems.
Mr. Gibbs :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? The interactions of a diverse group of students to a single goal. 2). What has been the Most fun? Teaching different building technic's 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? It comes from an anythings possible attitude. 4). What was your prodest moments? Seeing the chassis move on its own for the first time and the since of accomplisment. Mr. DeVine :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? The most meaningful times are those moments when I see in a student that special moment of enjoyment and pleasure when they’ve learned something new, or accomplished something significant after working hard on a problem. It’s a smile and a feeling that is tangible. These kinds of moments can happen regularly as we design and build a complicated project such as a robot, as we plan for competition, or make decisions as a team. It is a sense that teachers hope to help bring about in our students as often as possible. 2). What has been the Most fun? The moment that has been the most fun for me was when our team won the “Rookie of the Year” award in Portland in 2006. We were completely surprised and overwhelmed and thrilled to receive the award after spending so much time and energy on our robot, and being quite beat-up in competition. We have since won other awards, but that moment of hearing our team name called and the ecstactic reaction of our students – was to me, the best and most fun moment so far. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? I think FIRST challenges students to a huge task… and then, with the help of an excellent and well designed operation, enables the students to accomplish that huge, overwhelming goal. When they realize their success and have that special feeling of success, they are inspired to take on other large things… things that can help our society in meaningful ways. 4). What was your proudest moment? The proudest moment was in 2007 competition. Our Robot broke right before competition began, and the team had to determine a new course of action involving some very difficult, heart-wrenching, and scary decisions of abandoning big parts of our design and choosing a totally new strategy. In the pressure packed environment where hard decisions had to be made quickly, I was amazed at the quality of the judgements the students made. The students made excellent decisions, and using an entirely new approach to the competition, went on to victory after victory all the way to the championship match. It was truly amazing, and I will remember it as the time I was most proud of our students. Regards, Craig Devin Teacher/Mentor Mr. Lafferty :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? I think one of the most meaningful aspects of MTHS Robotics is watching the students take ownership of both the robot and the schedule once work on the competition robot begins. I'm also impressed at how they work together. The students gain an understanding that there are many different talents that must be utilized in order to complete this project, and it seems to sink in that it takes different people to provide those talents. This understanding really becomes evident when I see them valuing each other and treating each other with respect. 2). What has been the Most fun? Taking the students to competitions is definitely the most fun. That's when the students really put all that they've learned to the test - and they're always up to the challenge while at the same time mixing play with work and enjoying the whole process. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? FIRST gives students the opportunity to put to use some of the skills that are taught in school, and at the same time get their hands dirty and make something with it. Through that process, they gain self-esteem and the understanding that they are capable of creating great things. They learn that it takes a team and good social and work skills to accomplish these things. 4). What was your prodest moments? On our team a couple years ago there was a point where the students were frustrated because the mentors were controlling so much of the project. The students met together without any adult support and as a group they decided to demand more control and responsibility from the mentors. This was exactly what we wanted to see. We worked with the students to define roles and responsibility and since then MTHS Robotics has been a student-run organization.
Mr. Lindley :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? I just wish something like this was around when I was a kid. I was one of the bright kids that wasn’t interested in sports and wasn’t challenged in school. I spent my time as a kid tinkering in the garage, bolting model airplane motors to my skateboard, building tree forts and go-carts, but I never dreamed of building a robot. I didn’t even know what a servo motor was, much less an omni wheel or an encoder. I like knowing that my efforts contribute to the ongoing success of this team, that we are providing an amazing opportunity for kids, and that I am participating in what may very well be the most influential or pivotal event in these kids lives. 2). What has been the Most fun? I enjoy spending time with the kids. They’re like a family to me. I love the late nights in the shop, when we get a little goofy from exhaustion and lack of sleep, and I like packing up and heading off to an event as a team. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? I can see the changes from one year to the next in the kids on the team. They join as freshmen, timid and unsure of themselves or how they can contribute to a robotics team, and in just one build season they have grown considerably. The task of designing and building a robot in six weeks it impossible, but they make it work. They experience what it takes to be successful, and they see what it’s like to experience success. The point is that hard work leads to success. I think that after one season of FIRST they get it. 4). What was your prodest moments? Our rookie year, when we were all flopped back in our seats in the upper section of the stadium, hiding behind all the other teams, feeling defeated, exhausted and depressed, we heard the announcer call out our Herky jerky team as the winners of the Rookie All-Star award. That moment, when the team went crazy, screaming, crying, and jumping up and down, has to be one of the proudest moments in my memory. I’ll never forget that. Mr. Nelson :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? For me seeing the startup of the LHS Robotics Team means that my son and others like him can have access to a positive educational experience that has the potential to postively orient him and his friends for a lifetime. That is a rare and precious chance that any right thinking parent/adult would sacrifice much to see happen for his own and children in general. 2). What has been the Most fun? The most fun I've had so far is the interaction with so many positive people, both mentors and students. Everyone has been very upbeat and encouraging. My skills are definitely not deep enough to do more than be of general help but I have been able to jump in and lend a hand in a meaningful way regardless. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? I think that one of the most important things about programs like FIRST is that they provide an opportunity for kids to find out what they are capable of in real world situations. Its very cool to watch kids doing things for the first time...from the tentative first steps to the point where they are practically blase' about the experience. 4). What was your prodest moments? Well, I've only been on board a little over a month so I am not sure but for now I would having the kids and sometimes the adults solicit my opinion on whether something is workable. Lorraine :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? This program is a potentially life-changing opportunity for teenagers. As a mentor I get the satisfaction of knowing that I am contributing to making this possible for a local team and hopefully inspiring students to realize their potential in fields they may otherwise not have considered. 2). What has been the Most fun? I love the energy and enthusiasm of the students. We have a broad range of personalities on our team. This might be a challenge under different circumstances but with everyone engaged in a shared goal the group works amazingly well together. The combination of high spirits and constant activity makes for a fun environment. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? This program demonstrates in a practical setting what could be never truly appreciated through theory alone - the value and fascination of science and technology fields and the importance of teamwork, organization and leadership. Participants learn business, technical and problem solving skills and apply them to practical problems. The enormity of the goal encourages every participant to stretch. They get to discover their strengths and interests and what they are really capable of. FIRST presents students with a world of possibilities and let's them know that they are within their grasp. 4). What was your prodest moments? Mostly I'm just proud to be contributing to such a valuable program. I wish every student had an opportunity to participate. This is one way of helping to make that happen.
Mrs. Heidi Burkett :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? I would say the most meaningful part of my experience with MTHS Robotics is the relationships that have been developed with the students and other adults. Being allowed to participate is an honor, being accepted as a mentor is a true gift. This opportunity then allows me to witness these young adults as they develop their natural curiosities into perfected skills for their future. 2). What has been the Most fun? When the time came to sit in the stands and support the team members on the floor of the FRC competition in Portland we had so much fun. Cheering, clapping, dancing, jumping up and down - I definatly got a work out! I would also have to include the long discussions that I got into with some of the team members, including my son. Hearing their ideas and their excitment as they expressed individual visions for the robot definatly put a smile on my face. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? By providing a positive, friendly environment where all students, regardless of their background or interests, are brought together on an even playing field, FIRST inspires students to accept that anything is possible. Teams start with the same kit of parts and budget limits. From there students are encouraged to develop a robot that will accomplish a specific task in the form of an arena competition. This competition inspires the onlooker to challenge their concept of the technology culture. FIRST also inspires students to continue their education beyond high school by pulling together sponsors that provide over 9 million dollars in scholarships. 4). What was your prodest moments? It may seem strange but, I felt the most proud when the exhausted team boxed up a robot that wasn't working properly. The deadline had arrived and there was no choice. Repairs would have to be performed once the team arrived in Portland. Instead of letting it get them down, the team started talking about what needed to be done in the future. Students also reflected on their past achievements. The teams ability to hold themselves together through this process was something that would not have been able to be accomplished just 6 weeks prior. The MTHS Robotics Team had matured so much in such a short period of time! The self confidence was well earned. In Portland our team repaired the robot, competed, reworked the robot, and competed again. In the end the team came in 2nd. They should be very proud of themselves. "FIRST is an opportunity to design dreams." Mr. Shiene :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? Being personally challenged by the scope of the technical and management problems to be solved in order to produce a functioning robot for the FIRST Robotics Competition in a six week time period. 2). What has been the Most fun? Working with the team to design and build various components for the robot, especially doing CG calculations and hosting the students at our Edmonds Community College Material Science and Robotics Labs. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? It inspires them as well as equips them for further education and for the working world by providing them with real-world technical and management experiences. It also helps them develop useful soft skills. 4). What was your prodest moments? Being a part of a team of mentors and teachers who really care that the students have a good experience and grow in their understanding and abilities to take on a complicated technical challenge with other people. Mr. Johnsrud :: 1). What has been the most meaningful part to you in MTHS Robotics? The most meaningful part of MTHS robotics is getting students excited about engineering and science. I think the school and the robotics program can be something that the district and parents can be proud of. The students that participate are being offered a head start on the next generation of engineers and scientists. The students last year where faced with tough decisions and excelled in taking control. They placed aside feelings and took on the best approach and having done that placed then with their best chance for going to nationals in Atlanta. 2). What has been the Most fun? It is fun seeing the excitement when they figure out how things work and what is takes to make them function properly. You see them mature and gain an understanding of themselves and others. They learn that not everything needs to be about them, but other people, and if they all work together they can achieve greatness. You get to see them make new friends; share in triumphs, tragedies and learning how to be gracious adults. 3). From your prospective, how does FIRST inspire students? First tries to get students involved in a game that challenges their minds and thought processes. They encourage students to learn math and science. The melding of outside mentors with students provides an avenue to see how learning and growing will benefit them in the future. 4). What was your prodest moments? My proudest moment was when we were picked for the rookie all-star award (2006). This was our first year with designing and building a robot. We had very little outside help with design, building and guidance. We went forward building what the students thought would be a very good robot. This robot would handle all of the functions needed in the game. When we finally arrived in Portland for the competition we realized that we had a lot to learn. Our robot was very study but showed the inexperience in designing for the task, our score reflected this at the end of the competition. Our spirits were not high, but we did have fun. In fact we had doubts about winning any award, until they announced the rookie all-star award. Most of us were in utter disbelief that we won the highest award a first year team could win. This placed us on such a high that I don't think we came down from it until that summer