http://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Special:NewPages&feed=atom&namespace=0STEMRobotics - New pages [en]2024-03-28T16:05:10ZFrom STEMRoboticsMediaWiki 1.13.2http://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php/FosterLabFosterLab2016-12-14T18:51:29Z<p>Foster: New page: This is where I build Robots (and electronic projects, Ham Radio, etc.) This is the East Wall. It's active storage, things I need on a daily basis are here. Across the top are VEXIQ an...</p>
<hr />
<div>This is where I build Robots (and electronic projects, Ham Radio, etc.) <br />
<br />
This is the East Wall. It's active storage, things I need on a daily basis are here. Across the top are VEXIQ and Hexbug samples. <br />
<br />
Row two is more of the EDR stuff (note the octagon base on the left) <br />
<br />
The next rows down are all parts, I try to keep things in boxes so I can find them quickly. While it looks pretty messy, all of the boxes have labels on them so I can find them pretty quickly. Small trays come to the workbench, get used and then cleanup goes pretty fast.<br />
<br />
South wall is my build table, it's wood so I don't have a static problem when I do electronics. The two displays are for Raspberry Pi's or other projects. One is a TV so I can watch OTA TV or stream entertainment from the media server. <br />
<br />
West wall has the printer, the last few paper books that I own. It's also home to the Plano boxes that I use for demos and building robots with teams. The Plano's are nice, I have a few of every part in them so I'm not searching for parts. You may remember across the room is thin trays of parts, that lets me build here in the lab. But I can grab the 2 VEX EDR Plano's and be good to go, or the three IQ boxes and I'm on my way. <br />
<br />
North wall is a huge closet, mostly off line storage. Behind it is another huge closet that I can access from the other side</div>Fosterhttp://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php/Starting_VEXIQ_TeamsStarting VEXIQ Teams2016-04-21T14:55:44Z<p>Foster: New page: Lots of families are teaching their roboteers at home. This page will give you some tips and ideas on how to set up your own team. This page covers the VEXIQ (plastic parts) competition...</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
Lots of families are teaching their roboteers at home. This page will give you some tips and ideas on how to set up your own team. This page covers the VEXIQ (plastic parts) competition. There is a similar page for [[Starting Teams]] for VEX EDR metal. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Team size ==<br />
<br />
A VEXIQ team has at least two people on it, but three is the optimum size. The robots are small, so four or more makes it hard to work on the robot. Each team needs two drivers, a third roboteer is good to have as a backup. Having a team member from another family also gives you access to a second adult that can be backup transportation. <br />
<br />
Siblings are a great choice for your team. Having a younger sibling lets them work with you, but having a friend from another family helps take some of the sting of the cost. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Adult acceptance ==<br />
<br />
Transportation logistics and build / practice locations are the next big item, and getting parents to be agreeable and maybe enthusiastic about it. This section describes some of the things to think about.<br />
<br />
Competitive teams spend at least 4 hours a week building and driving robots during the season (September through April). That is a pretty big time commitment. <br />
<br />
You will need a place to build and practice. Picking up after a build session and putting everything away is pretty easy. You are going to need storage for an 18 x 18 x 18 robot, parts, controllers, battery packs, game practice elements, etc. You can easily fill a 3' wide 4' tall book case (I like the bakers racks. This keeps roboteers from just tossing small parts on the shelves, they fall through. They soon learn to put things back in the storage box) <br />
<br />
Practice space is a problem. The full sized field is 12 feet square which is quite a bit of space. In most years you can get away with setting up 1/4 to 1/2 of the field. Setting up and tearing down the field will take extra time out of your build sessions. <br />
<br />
You will need to get transportation to and from at least 2 events and your State Championship. These are day long events that an adult is going to need to stay for. For small states like Delaware, events and States are no more than an hour away, so it's not a big deal. A bigger state could be a multi hour drive each way. <br />
<br />
It's important that the adults involved understand the commitment they are about to make. <br />
<br />
== Cost of VEX Competitive Robots ==<br />
<br />
The cost of VEX Competitive Robots is about the same as the full cost of competitive tennis, golf, swimming, etc. so don't panic. <br />
<br />
A robot will cost about $1,200 in parts. Depending on the complexity of the game and your design you can easily spend more on parts. The programming tools are another $50 (More details below)<br />
<br />
Registration is $75<br />
<br />
Each event will cost about $75 (not including transportation and food) <br />
<br />
State championships cost about $100 to $150 <br />
<br />
You are looking at an outlay of $1,600 to $1,800. <br />
<br />
Many teams buy the official field perimeter ($800) floor tiles ($250) and a full set of game elements ($300) for a total of $1,500 (including shipping). This is something that can be shared across multiple team, check in your area to see if there are other teams that you can work with. <br />
<br />
You can build a practice field for about $100 and when you register your team you will get some game elements, that is the lower cost way to go. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Sponsors ==<br />
<br />
The easy way to get money is to get your team to pay for everything. For most teams that's not an option, so the second option is to get some external sponsors. This is going to take about as much work as building a robot, so be prepared! <br />
<br />
First off, make a business plan to map out costs. Mark out the activities that need to be done with a timeline so you can tell if you are making progress. <br />
<br />
Pick a good team name, get a gmail account with that name. (ie STEMBots@Gmail.com) You will be giving this email out, you don't want to give out your personal email. <br />
<br />
Create a marketing flyer. One page with:<br />
* What VEX Robotics is and how it supports your team's STEM education plan<br />
* What two events you will be going to (so they know where their logo/name may be seen)<br />
* What the costs are (but say that it's about the same as other sports<br />
At the bottom ask for sponsorship and put the email address so they can contact you.<br />
<br />
Using the flyer as the start, create a 1 minute speech. You'll be handing someone the flyer and while they look at i, you will be talking to them. Important to not just read the flyer to them. But here is your chance to add facts and details about your team and robot, the hours you will be spending working on it, the cost for events, the cost for the robot, (motors and controllers are $30 and you need 10, what your school plans are and why robotics are important, etc. <br />
<br />
Practice giving it. Get feedback about the flyer and pitch from some adults.<br />
<br />
Decide on sponsor levels. For example at $100 they get their name on the back of the team shirts. For $250 they can get their name on the shirt and a logo on the robot.<br />
<br />
Next, create a list of possible sponsors. Remember that only about 5% of businesses you talk to will give you any support, and lots of times it's only $10 or $20. (But $20 is a new motor, $10 is the controller). While it helps to go to robotics related companies to get sponsors (like electronics, engineering, mechanical, electrical, machining, etc.) think outside the box. One of early my supporters ran a nail salon. <br />
<br />
Lots of businesses have processes for giving money. If they have one follow it. A number of businesses will not give you money, but may give you something they sell. My first teams kept parts in tackle boxes donated by the local sporting goods store. Home Depot has given small tool boxes. <br />
<br />
Remember, if you don't ask, the answer is always no. But if they say no, thank them. But keep them on your list for next year when you come back and say "We won at the State Level, would you like to sponsor us now?"<br />
<br />
Go get sponsors!!</div>Fosterhttp://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php/Starting_ClubsStarting Clubs2016-04-21T14:33:11Z<p>Foster: New page: = Starting VEX Robotics Clubs = While starting a new VEX team is fun, it's actually better to start a club. Setting up clubs is far more effectual for STEM learning. A few kids buildin...</p>
<hr />
<div>= Starting VEX Robotics Clubs = <br />
<br />
While starting a new VEX team is fun, it's actually better to start a club. Setting up clubs is far more effectual for STEM learning. A few kids building awesome robots is good but does not decrease the general STEM gap any more. A few kids setting up shop, isn't a huge help, they are already geared towards a STEM career.<br />
<br />
Larger scale involvement and clubs are needed to make any significant dent in the STEM gap. Lots of teachers are not technically savvy enough to do so and there is a limit to the coverage per teacher. School funding as it is will not turn the tide either. More competitive teams tend to seem to come from home schooled kids or clubs or private schools where money is less of an issue for proper focus.<br />
<br />
There are a number of things that can be spread across a number of teams, reducing the direct cost to a team. For example, a full official field set with game elements will cost $1,500. That's a lot for a single team to cover. But split 5 ways, it's only $300 per team.</div>Fosterhttp://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php/Starting_TeamsStarting Teams2016-04-21T13:04:40Z<p>Foster: /* Starting your own team */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<br />
Lots of families are teaching their roboteers at home. This page will give you some tips and ideas on how to set up your own team. This page covers the VEX EDR (metal) competition. (Look for a similar page for VEXIQ coming soon) <br />
<br />
<br />
== Team size ==<br />
<br />
A VEX team has at least two people on it, but three to four is the optimum size. Four gives everyone access to the robot to build without lots of crowding. Driving / Coaching duties can rotate around between the members. Having a team member from another family also gives you access to a second adult that can be backup transportation. <br />
<br />
Siblings are a great choice for your team. Having a younger sibling lets them work with you and it helps take some of the sting of the cost of doing VEX robotics. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Adult acceptance ==<br />
<br />
Transportation logistics and build / practice locations are the next big item, and getting parents to be agreeable and maybe enthusiastic about it. This section describes some of the things to think about.<br />
<br />
Competitive teams spend at least 4 hours a week building and driving robots during the season (September through April). That is a pretty big time commitment. <br />
<br />
You will need a place to build and practice. Picking up after a build session and putting everything away is pretty easy. You are going to need storage for an 18 x 18 x 18 robot, parts, controllers, battery packs, game practice elements, etc. You can easily fill a 3' wide 4' tall book case (I like the bakers racks. This keeps roboteers from just tossing small parts on the shelves, they fall through. They soon learn to put things back in the storage box) <br />
<br />
Practice space is a problem. The full sized field is 12 feet square which is quite a bit of space. In most years you can get away with setting up 1/4 to 1/2 of the field. Setting up and tearing down the field will take extra time out of your build sessions. <br />
<br />
You will need to get transportation to and from at least 2 events and your State Championship. These are day long events that an adult is going to need to stay for. For small states like Delaware, events and States are no more than an hour away, so it's not a big deal. A bigger state could be a multi hour drive each way. <br />
<br />
It's important that the adults involved understand the commitment they are about to make. <br />
<br />
== Cost of VEX Competitive Robots ==<br />
<br />
The cost of VEX Competitive Robots is about the same as the full cost of competitive tennis, golf, swimming, etc. so don't panic. <br />
<br />
A robot will cost about $1,200 in parts. Depending on the complexity of the game and your design you can easily spend more on parts. The programming tools are another $50 (More details below)<br />
<br />
Registration is $75<br />
<br />
Each event will cost about $75 (not including transportation and food) <br />
<br />
State championships cost about $100 to $150 <br />
<br />
You are looking at an outlay of $1,600 to $1,800. <br />
<br />
Many teams buy the official field perimeter ($800) floor tiles ($250) and a full set of game elements ($300) for a total of $1,500 (including shipping). This is something that can be shared across multiple team, check in your area to see if there are other teams that you can work with. <br />
<br />
You can build a practice field for about $100 and when you register your team you will get some game elements, that is the lower cost way to go. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Sponsors ==<br />
<br />
The easy way to get money is to get your team to pay for everything. For most teams that's not an option, so the second option is to get some external sponsors. This is going to take about as much work as building a robot, so be prepared! <br />
<br />
First off, make a business plan to map out costs. Mark out the activities that need to be done with a timeline so you can tell if you are making progress. <br />
<br />
Pick a good team name, get a gmail account with that name. (ie STEMBots@Gmail.com) You will be giving this email out, you don't want to give out your personal email. <br />
<br />
Create a marketing flyer. One page with:<br />
* What VEX Robotics is and how it supports your team's STEM education plan<br />
* What two events you will be going to (so they know where their logo/name may be seen)<br />
* What the costs are (but say that it's about the same as other sports<br />
At the bottom ask for sponsorship and put the email address so they can contact you.<br />
<br />
Using the flyer as the start, create a 1 minute speech. You'll be handing someone the flyer and while they look at i, you will be talking to them. Important to not just read the flyer to them. But here is your chance to add facts and details about your team and robot, the hours you will be spending working on it, the cost for events, the cost for the robot, (motors and controllers are $30 and you need 10, what your school plans are and why robotics are important, etc. <br />
<br />
Practice giving it. Get feedback about the flyer and pitch from some adults.<br />
<br />
Decide on sponsor levels. For example at $100 they get their name on the back of the team shirts. For $250 they can get their name on the shirt and a logo on the robot.<br />
<br />
Next, create a list of possible sponsors. Remember that only about 5% of businesses you talk to will give you any support, and lots of times it's only $10 or $20. (But $20 is a new motor, $10 is the controller). While it helps to go to robotics related companies to get sponsors (like electronics, engineering, mechanical, electrical, machining, etc.) think outside the box. One of early my supporters ran a nail salon. <br />
<br />
Lots of businesses have processes for giving money. If they have one follow it. A number of businesses will not give you money, but may give you something they sell. My first teams kept parts in tackle boxes donated by the local sporting goods store. Home Depot has given small tool boxes. <br />
<br />
Remember, if you don't ask, the answer is always no. But if they say no, thank them. But keep them on your list for next year when you come back and say "We won at the State Level, would you like to sponsor us now?"<br />
<br />
Go get sponsors!!</div>Fosterhttp://stemrobotics.org/mediawiki/index.php/Home_School_TeamsHome School Teams2016-04-21T13:01:27Z<p>Foster: New page: = Starting your own team = Lots of families are teaching their roboteers at home. This page will give you some tips and ideas on how to set up your own team. This page covers the VEX E...</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
= Starting your own team =<br />
<br />
Lots of families are teaching their roboteers at home. This page will give you some tips and ideas on how to set up your own team. This page covers the VEX EDR (metal) competition. (Look for a similar page for VEXIQ coming soon) <br />
<br />
<br />
== Team size ==<br />
<br />
A VEX team has at least two people on it, but three to four is the optimum size. Four gives everyone access to the robot to build without lots of crowding. Driving / Coaching duties can rotate around between the members. Having a team member from another family also gives you access to a second adult that can be backup transportation. <br />
<br />
Siblings are a great choice for your team. Having a younger sibling lets them work with you and it helps take some of the sting of the cost of doing VEX robotics. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Adult acceptance ==<br />
<br />
Transportation logistics and build / practice locations are the next big item, and getting parents to be agreeable and maybe enthusiastic about it. This section describes some of the things to think about.<br />
<br />
Competitive teams spend at least 4 hours a week building and driving robots during the season (September through April). That is a pretty big time commitment. <br />
<br />
You will need a place to build and practice. Picking up after a build session and putting everything away is pretty easy. You are going to need storage for an 18 x 18 x 18 robot, parts, controllers, battery packs, game practice elements, etc. You can easily fill a 3' wide 4' tall book case (I like the bakers racks. This keeps roboteers from just tossing small parts on the shelves, they fall through. They soon learn to put things back in the storage box) <br />
<br />
Practice space is a problem. The full sized field is 12 feet square which is quite a bit of space. In most years you can get away with setting up 1/4 to 1/2 of the field. Setting up and tearing down the field will take extra time out of your build sessions. <br />
<br />
You will need to get transportation to and from at least 2 events and your State Championship. These are day long events that an adult is going to need to stay for. For small states like Delaware, events and States are no more than an hour away, so it's not a big deal. A bigger state could be a multi hour drive each way. <br />
<br />
It's important that the adults involved understand the commitment they are about to make. <br />
<br />
== Cost of VEX Competitive Robots ==<br />
<br />
The cost of VEX Competitive Robots is about the same as the full cost of competitive tennis, golf, swimming, etc. so don't panic. <br />
<br />
A robot will cost about $1,200 in parts. Depending on the complexity of the game and your design you can easily spend more on parts. The programming tools are another $50 (More details below)<br />
<br />
Registration is $75<br />
<br />
Each event will cost about $75 (not including transportation and food) <br />
<br />
State championships cost about $100 to $150 <br />
<br />
You are looking at an outlay of $1,600 to $1,800. <br />
<br />
Many teams buy the official field perimeter ($800) floor tiles ($250) and a full set of game elements ($300) for a total of $1,500 (including shipping). This is something that can be shared across multiple team, check in your area to see if there are other teams that you can work with. <br />
<br />
You can build a practice field for about $100 and when you register your team you will get some game elements, that is the lower cost way to go. <br />
<br />
<br />
== Sponsors ==<br />
<br />
The easy way to get money is to get your team to pay for everything. For most teams that's not an option, so the second option is to get some external sponsors. This is going to take about as much work as building a robot, so be prepared! <br />
<br />
First off, make a business plan to map out costs. Mark out the activities that need to be done with a timeline so you can tell if you are making progress. <br />
<br />
Pick a good team name, get a gmail account with that name. (ie STEMBots@Gmail.com) You will be giving this email out, you don't want to give out your personal email. <br />
<br />
Create a marketing flyer. One page with:<br />
* What VEX Robotics is and how it supports your team's STEM education plan<br />
* What two events you will be going to (so they know where their logo/name may be seen)<br />
* What the costs are (but say that it's about the same as other sports<br />
At the bottom ask for sponsorship and put the email address so they can contact you.<br />
<br />
Using the flyer as the start, create a 1 minute speech. You'll be handing someone the flyer and while they look at i, you will be talking to them. Important to not just read the flyer to them. But here is your chance to add facts and details about your team and robot, the hours you will be spending working on it, the cost for events, the cost for the robot, (motors and controllers are $30 and you need 10, what your school plans are and why robotics are important, etc. <br />
<br />
Practice giving it. Get feedback about the flyer and pitch from some adults.<br />
<br />
Decide on sponsor levels. For example at $100 they get their name on the back of the team shirts. For $250 they can get their name on the shirt and a logo on the robot.<br />
<br />
Next, create a list of possible sponsors. Remember that only about 5% of businesses you talk to will give you any support, and lots of times it's only $10 or $20. (But $20 is a new motor, $10 is the controller). While it helps to go to robotics related companies to get sponsors (like electronics, engineering, mechanical, electrical, machining, etc.) think outside the box. One of early my supporters ran a nail salon. <br />
<br />
Lots of businesses have processes for giving money. If they have one follow it. A number of businesses will not give you money, but may give you something they sell. My first teams kept parts in tackle boxes donated by the local sporting goods store. Home Depot has given small tool boxes. <br />
<br />
Remember, if you don't ask, the answer is always no. But if they say no, thank them. But keep them on your list for next year when you come back and say "We won at the State Level, would you like to sponsor us now?"<br />
<br />
Go get sponsors!!</div>Foster