FIRST Robotics Competitions

               In the Vanden Robotics program, the Robovikes participate in competitions through an organization called FIRST Robotics Competitions, often abbreviated FRC. FIRST stands for "For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology." Below are some of the values that FIRST holds as an institution.

             "Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”

               "Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship."

               "As we work as a community to prepare young people for a STEM future, FIRST aims to ensure its programs are having a lasting, positive impact on participants across all demographic groups. Our rigorous multi-year longitudinal study, conducted by Brandeis University Center for Youth and Communities, provides strong evidence that participation in FIRST does just that. Even with just one year of FIRST participation, study participants are 2-3xs more likely to have gains in STEM outcomes than a comparison group of peers not participating in FIRST."

               This information can be found on the "What is FIRST Robotics Competition?" and "Impact" pages of the website firstinspires.org.

Parent Involvement

               RPM stands for Robotics Parents Meeting. Mentors, parents, and team members meet every second Monday of the month to maintain management of our team. Throughout the year, parents help the team with fundraising: car washes, recycling, raffle ticket sales, Bingo, and other events. During build season, parents help with carpooling and catering and are reimbursed through Vanden Robotics Foundation funds. Parents also help decide which regionals we should compete in and plan the hotels, flight tickets, etc. ahead of time.

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     In addition to our efforts within our team, we are extremely dedicated to our presence in our community. We love to spread our enthusiasm as much as we can, bettering those around us as they better us in turn. We achieve this through many varied projects and relationships, all for the furthering of STEM, such as:

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  - Mentoring VEX teams at Golden West Middle School and our school

 - Mentoring VEX IQ at Foxboro, Center, Travis, Cambridge, and Scandia Elementary Schools

 - Helping out with local programs, such as Coastal Clean Up or Relay for Life 

- Hosting VEX competitions at Vanden High School and Golden West Middle School 

- Hosting VEX IQ Scrimmages & Competitions 

- Demonstrating our robots, at school rallies, homecoming week, football games, and other district school-wide events

- Reaching out to our sponsors, such as demonstrating our robots at Genentech's Bring Your Kid to work day