Team Profile 1 Recruiting and Mentoring 2 FIRST Community Outreach 4 FIRST Lego League 8 Success in FIRST Competition 9 Building Community and Sponsor Partnerships 11 Team Membership 13 Cheesy Poof Awards 14 PR Materials 15 Team Handbook 17 History: Fall 1998 - NASA engineers Bob Holmes and Steve Kyramarios joined teacher Jason Morella from Broadway, a second chance high school in San Jose, CA, in exciting students about robotics and about teamwork. 1999 - From a classroom at Broadway High School, students not only built a successful robot, they also built the foundations of the team. 2000 - Team 254 moved to a basement at NASA AMES as Broadway Downsized. Despite the move, Team 254 continued to grow. 2001 - With Broadway's continued downsizing, Bellarmine College Prep inherited the team. The team moved to a larger lab at NASA with increased resources. Team began a FIRST LEGO league mentoring program. 2002 - Team began to develop a more mature program. Over the summer, the team built a new lab in a NASA warehouse including a full-sized FIRST field, computer facility, and organized work area. 2003 - Team acquired a machine shop trailer only a few days before their first regional in Sacramento. The trailer was completed during the first days of the regional, and was able to support every team at the regional. Team 254 also supplied machine-shop support at the Silicon Valley regional. Sponsors: Main: NASA AMES, Unity Care, Bellarmine In Kind: Exatron, Line-x of San Jose, Lincoln Electric, Digital Signage Team Goals: * Prepare students for leadership roles within their team and community * Promote life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, academic advancement, business management, time management, personal accountability, and community involvement * Introduce students to positive role models * Promote the ideals of FIRST * Include any students from schools without FIRST who wish to participate on our team * Support and mentor other San Jose area schools & students to participate in FIRST Team Size and Structure: Mentorship: one full-time and one part-time NASA Engineer, two NASA Machinists, two upper division San Jose State Engineering students, two Bellarmine faculty mentors, three Cheesy Poof alumni. Participation: 46 students, comprising 4 Business & Management subteams, 4 Computer & Software subteams, 4 Robot Development & Fabrication subteams, 3 Public Relations & Media Management subteams, and 3 Construction & Critical support subteams. Mentoring Philosophy: Team 254's mentoring program is designed around promoting the ideals of FIRST. Our goal is to bring the FIRST community into the lives of students both far and near. The Cheesy Poof mentoring program is an ongoing process in which we continue following the progress of our mentor teams. We feel that our own success is reflected by the achievements of our mentor teams. Mentored Teams in Hawaii: Waialua (359) & McKinley (368): During the first year of Team 254's existence, students flew out to Hawaii to demonstrate FIRST robotics. Soon following, Waialua and McKinley started a prosperous robotics program. Since then, a total of six teams have started in Hawaii. We are especially proud to mention that both teams were finalists at the 2003 Silicon Valley Regional while Waialua won the Regional Chairman's Award and McKinley Engineering Inspiration Award. Mentored Teams in Alaska: East Anchorage High (374): Along with starting two Hawaiian teams the first year, the Cheesy Poofs also flew out to Alaska for a robotics demonstration. Like the schools in Hawaii, East Anchorage decided to embark on the FIRST robotics program. Since then, a total of six teams have emerged from Alaska. We are also proud to mention that the "Icebreakers," team 374, won the ............award at the 2003 Silicon Valley Regional. Mentored Teams in California: Milpitas High (1120) & Mission San Jose (1245): In 2003, the Cheesy Poofs began two local FIRST teams. Because of the close proximity of these teams, we were able to provide a much more in depth mentoring program. Throughout the year, both schools worked on their robots in our facility at NASA Ames. Their students worked alongside Cheesy Poof veterans as well as our mentors in designing and building their robots. We even gave Team 1245 our old shipping crate! Both teams performed remarkably well at their first event, the Silicon Valley Regional. In addition to mentoring other teams, the Cheesy Poofs also reach out to the existing FIRST community. Pre-Ship Date Scrimmage Event: Two weeks prior to the final ship date this year, team 254 held an informal scrimmage event at our facility at NASA Ames. We shared a full size field, a collection of spare parts, and as always, the help and support of our team members. Over 15 teams had the opportunity to finalize robot designs or to work out unexpected problems. Rather than taking part in the scrimmage, Cheesy Poof members acted as event hosts. Students were split into groups of specialties ranging from electronics and mechanics to programming. Throughout the day, our students patrolled the lab offering help when needed. Open Lab Policy: Throughout the year, Team 254's lab at NASA Ames is open to all other FIRST teams. We are more than happy to provide assistance and resources to other local robotics teams. In addition, Cheesy Poof members are also willing to go to other schools to help. Presentations at the WRRF: For the past few years, team members have prepared presentations for the WRRF in an effort to help local FIRST teams build stronger programs. Team 60 Partnership - Pit Crate: This year, Team 254 students built a second tool-crate for Team 60. Our two teams have a strong partnership that we hope to continue in the future. Machine Shop Trailer: Early this year, we decided that we would eventually want to add a machine shop trailer as a team resource. We planned to raise funds during the summer to purchase it for the next season. However, when we heard that the Sacramento Regional would not have machine shop support, we decided to withdraw funds out of our current year's account to order the trailer. The trailer itself arrived completely empty just days before the Sacramento regional. Students spent the time building the interior of the trailer into a suitable work environment. The two main tools, the mill and lathe, did not appear until we actually arrived at the regional event. Team members worked all night and morning to install the new tools. As a result, we were able to perform over 50 orders during that competition. During the Silicon Valley Regional, we also provided machine shop support and performed a similar number of orders. We are proud to note that no team at either regional was forced to withdraw from the playoffs as a result of robot damage. Team 254 Service Request Form for Trailer Machine Shop: Sacramento Regional - Use bandsaw to cut wood along pencil lines - Bore out the connectors - countersink 3 holes - 4 pieces cut into 5 1/2 " x 9" - Press Bearing - 5 x 5 square-outer cut (grating) - Grind Allen key - Mill plate along the lines - cut two 5 1/2 " peices of 3/4" square tube with 1/8" wall - 2 lengths of 22 3/4" - cut off marked area of poker hinge (band saw ok) - cut 5" piece from sheet - cut on line approximately - cut to 4" long pieces - cut key stock to 4 5/8" pieces - boar out for 5/8 shaft. Broach for key stock (6) - sprocket inner diameter too small needs to be 1.275 - duplicate small threaded shaft (2) - cut plywood mount board for interface - drill 4 1/4" holes - cut off marked and shaded portion, save line - cut along lines: plexiglass top - drill through shaft - weld aluminum wing joints - cut plastic plate - cut plastic on line - cut out window in plastic - drill out set screw from sprocket - cut lexan 6" x 22" - cut on line - bore sprockets - drill holes through other side of sprocket - patch armor plating - shift blocks: 1/2 x 1/2 x 5/8 with 1/2 slot 1/8 deep. #6 clear hole longitudinal on center - mill off 1/16" from each sprocket - cut .400" piece of key stock - cut 1" off keystock w/ flat end - cut 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 rectangle from anodized aluminum - weld keystock to shaft - cut plexiglass on line - cut covers on marked line - cut spring - cut square tubing 3 1/8" (2) - HDPE square - cut out block, drill thru with 3/4 drill, use 1" drill to cause crest in one side of the hole. - cut bolt - grind bolt and weld plates - mill slots in 1" bar - cut 22 1/2 sheet metal - a 1/4 hole drilled in washer - cut arm piece in half - square stock - sand junk off bottom - cut aluminum diag. From corner to corner. Weld strips to short end at 90 deg. - cut 1/4 in 6 5/8 shaft - cut rectangle from wood on line - cutting bit Silicon Valley Regional - 5" extrusions (4) - Hole drilled in Plexiglass - Cut Section of wheel hub - 25" extrusions (2) - Stock angle structure - Remove gear from Transmission - Cut wheel tread (3) - Broach Sprocket for key - Support piece against bending - Grind piece to size - Drill holes on mark (2) - Drill out transmission shaft - Drill 1/2" hole and tap - 3 1/2" Length cut - Shave wheel wells to fit (4) - 4 mirror holes on paddle - Center hub and drill 3 holes - 1.4" hole in center of plate - Grind down ends and round edges - Fix pressure relieve valve - 2 3/4" length cut - Cut along line - Remove drive nut - Axel for Wheel Chair wheels - Cut angle to size - Cut off one end of line - Cut Steel in half and drill - Cut 4" square on lines - Cut out the lines - Need sheet aluminum - 2 holes drilled in plexiglass - Cut extrusion to size - Cut bolt to 1 1/16" length - Aluminum Brackets - Straight cut along lines - Trim 1/8" off one side - Arm Brackets cut - Cut along dotted line - Remove End of Gear - Machine HDPE block to size - Straighten out small angle - Bore and tap hole in collar - Cut and Broach shaft (2) - Wheel Base-plate cut square (2) - Need hole and tap for set screw - Tack weld gussets (12-24) - Cut at marked line - Cut 2 lexan pieces in half - Cut along black lines - Cut 4 1/4" off angle - Cut wood block on line - Cut out section marked by lines - Metal piece needed - Cut off angle on piece - Drill detent on Bosch shaft - Remove sprocket from transmission - Drill and insert 2 roll pins - Remove stripped screws and tack weld in place - Broach motor shaft and mate sprocket - Fix foot piece - Drill holes and broach for key - Number sheet of plate - Cut off 1 5/8" of key stock - Grind head off bolt - Drill Hole - Cut along the dotted line - Drill and machine aluminum block - Round tip of cleavis - Cut sheet in half - Make 2 piece plastic guide - Mate sprocket to motor head - Cut 4.5 deg. From each corner - Cut 4 1/4" steel shaft (4) - Cut 3/8" off ends perpendicular - 1/4 x 20 set screw drilled and tapped - Drill 1/4" hole out - Grind down outside face - Cut hinge - Cut lexan pieces - Machine and tap motor plate First Lego League: Mentoring: Over the past 2 years, Team 254 has mentored 4 local Lego League Teams. This year, we sent a group of Freshmen to participate in the Lego League competition. The experience served as training for the students. As a result, we will be able to commit another 3 years of veteran mentoring in the Lego League program. Volunteer Work: This year, Team 254 provided numerous volunteers to the San Jose Unified School District Lego League Tournament. In fact, two thirds of the volunteer support came from the Cheesy Poofs. Students helped over 70 young teams by setting-up, running and cleaning up the event. Beyond the Scope of Lego League: In addition to mentoring Lego League teams, we also expose the young students to FIRST robotics. We bring elementary and middle school students to our lab for a hands-on tour. By seeing and interacting with the larger robots, students grow excited by the possibilities that FIRST offers. We feel this is an important first step in recruiting new members. Team Philosophy: Three years ago, our team began to build an organization with more resources and abilities. At that point, we had a choice of direction. One choice was to focus all our resources into building the best robot possible. Instead, we wanted to build a diverse program that includes community outreach as well as success in FIRST competition. We feel that the diverse spectrum of our awards reflects this team philosophy. Some examples include awards for: - Industrial Design - Leadership & Control - Defensive Strategy - Offensive Play of the Day - Sportsmanship - Web Site Design - Judges Award - Engineering Inspiration - Regional Chairman's A more detailed list follows on the next page. List of Team 254's Awards by Year 1999 Silicon Valley Regional Champions 1999 Silicon Valley Regional Rookie All-Star Award 1999 Silicon Valley Regional Honeywell Leadership & Control 1999 Silicon Valley Regional Best Offensive Strategy Award 1999 Ninth place at National Championship 1999 National Judges' Award 2000 Silicon Valley Regional Champions 2000 Lonestar Regional Champions 2000 Lonestar Regional Defensive Strategy Award 2000 National Judges' Award 2000 Fifth place at National Championship 2000 Los Angeles Summer Classic Champion 2000 WRRF California Robot Games Tournament Champion 2000 WRRF California Robot Games Human Player Champion 2000 WRRF California Robot Games King of the Hill Finalist 2001 Silicon Valley Regional Champions 2001 Silicon Valley Regional Number One Seed Award 2001 Southern California Regional Champions 2001 Southern California Regional Number One Seed Award 2001 Southern California Regional Incredible Play Award 2001 Southern California Regional GM Industrial Design Award 2001 Second place at National Championship 2001 Los Angeles Summer Classic Champion 2001 WRRF California Robot Games Tournament Champion 2001 WRRF California Robot Games Driver Challenge Champion 2002 Silicon Valley Regional Champions 2002 Silicon Valley Regional Engineering Inspiration Award 2002 Silicon Valley Regional Number One Seed Award 2002 Silicon Valley Regional Web Site Design Award 2002 WRRF California Robot Games Tournament Champions 2003 Sacramento Regional Chairman's Award 2003 Sacramento Regional Second Place 2003 Silicon Valley Regional Champions 2003 Silicon Valley Regional Sportsmanship Award History of Sponsorship Building: Since the beginning, our team has been able to demonstrate that our program and efforts are worth supporting. In addition to corporate sponsors, we have been able to gain the support of various diverse groups. We feel this is important in building a lasting partnership with the community. NASA Ames: NASA is our largest sponsor, giving our team extensive funding, facilities on base, and the time of our mentors. Our partnership with NASA Ames has grown each year. This is best illustrated by the size of our facility each year. During the second year, we were based in a basement storage cage. The next year, we were given three cubicles in a building above ground. Finally, this year we have been fortunate enough to move into a large warehouse complete with a full FIRST field. In addition to giving the team many resources, NASA Ames has also hired eight Cheesy Poof students as interns. This is clearly an example of the commitment between the team and NASA. Bellarmine High School: Bellarmine provides funding, a robotics room to host the biweekly robotics class after school, and two mentors. Currently, most team members are Bellarmine students. The school's mascots, "Bellarman" and "Miniman", accompany the team at all their events. Unity Care: We feel Unity Care is one of our strongest community supporters. To see why, we have included their mission statement: The Unity Care Group is a community-based, non-profit youth development agency. Founded with the goal of developing educational and social programs to enrich the lives of at-risk youth, our mission is to provide quality programs for the purpose of creating healthier communities through life-long partnerships. Unity Care provides our team with some funding and with a representative who travels with us to all our competitions. In return, we encourage students in the Unity Care program to join us on the robotics team. We also hold tours in which disadvantaged children experience the excitement of FIRST robotics. Team Partners: In addition to our main sponsors, many local businesses have offered donations in the form of services for our team. Examples include Line-X (protective spray for our crate and robot cart), Exatron (machining services), Lincoln Electric (donated welder) and Digital Signage (graphics and decals). Open Membership Policy: Our team is officially named the NASA Ames Robotics Team. As a result, anyone who wishes to is able to join the team. At this point, the vast majority of members are from Bellarmine College Prep. Throughout the team history, we have had members from Broadway (the original team school). In addition, students from East Side School District have participated on the team. We have even had some middle school students on the team. Mentoring Structure Within the Team: In addition to mentoring other schools, we have created a strong mentoring program for students within the team. At the top of the hierarchy are the engineers and engineering students. These mentors work with the students during the robot build period. Between then and the beginning of the school year, veteran team members mentor new students. Each new student is paired with a veteran member in the field that he is interested in. Groups participate in activities ranging from programming basics to rebuilding previous year robots. Alumni Success and Continuing Involvement: Many Cheesy Poof alumni have gone on to successful careers. Some have even returned to serve as team mentors. Team 254's founding school, Broadway, was a second chance school and therefore had a lower graduation rate than most other schools. However, many Cheesy Poof members graduated and went on to successful careers ranging from aerospace to the marines. In addition, two recent graduates (pictured below) have returned to the team to serve as full time mentors. We feel that the success of our alumni represents the impact of FIRST. During the National competition, team members will walk around judging teams. We want to express our amazement at the work that many teams produce. Cheesy Poof Awards Include: - All Around Great Program - Team Spirit and Attitude - Gracious Professionalism - Technological Advancement - Making a Difference in the Community - Consistent Robot Excellence - Sharing Ideas and Inspiring Other Teams - Rookie Excellence and Dedication - Inspiring the Next Generation - Redefining Quality and Class Business Card: Buttons: Robot and Team info Flyers: Display Board: We feel that our Team Handbook represents the organized business structure of our team. We developed our Team Handbook using the Teknokats' as a model. The next year, they updated theirs based on the changes we made. In addition, FIRST has asked us if they can put our current version online as a guide and resource for all teams. We are, of course, honored at the request. The 254 Team Handbook continues to be a valuable resource to our team and a model for others to follow.