Chelsea Robotics is extending an invitation to 8th graders currently participating in FTC to join 1502 for it’s Competition Season (January- April) in order to gain experience, confidence, and promote team sustainability.

Goals: 

• Integrate FTC 8th graders to Chelsea FRC robotics in a low stress, low barrier and nurturing environment to help students acclimate and engage confidently with 1502 over their next four years. 

• Help students better understand FRC FIRST Robotics Program & Season

• Allow students to participate in 1502 activities, community engagement, competitions at the student comfort level to promote sustainability and retention.  “Robots for Everyone.”

Scope:

• FTC 8th Graders are invited to join 1502 at Season Kick Off and participate in subsequent Game Reveal and Design Sprint and remainder of Competition Season.

• All FTC 8th Graders join and lead the Everybot Project team where they will holistically learn FRC robotics by building, programming, and driving their robot at the CRC.

• The Everybot will be built in a “No pressure” timeline at the 8th grade project team's pace according to their strengths and interests.  Peers learn by doing and building confidence through success and fun.

• Everybot Project team activities will be scheduled in advance each week to help families schedule, and to ensure a reasonable time commitment.  Most likely this will be one weeknight and Saturdays each week throughout the season.  

• If they would like, FTC 8th Graders will have opportunities to work with other 1502 subteams under supervision of their Adult Project Leads and the subteam Lead.  

• Travel & Competitions: 8th Graders, as part of the team, can travel and participate at all competitions as long as accompanied by a Parent/Proxy responsible for them. 

• If there is interest by 8th grade Project Team, taking their Everybot to off season competitions to gain more experience and celebrate their work.

Supervision & Leadership

• 8th Grader activities and Everybot Project will be supervised by an adult Lead Mentor, in this case Steve Eberle who is intimately familiar with both the FTC and FRC programs in his role as Assistant Coach in both.  If an 8th grader would like to explore other activities on the team, the Lead Mentor will help them engage and supervise providing support as needed to ensure all parties are comfortable with arrangements.

• The 8th Grade Everybot Project team will also have a Student Lead, which the 8th graders will take turns doing to learn and gain experience in that role.

• A designated mentor will always be assigned during 8th grader activities to ensure supervision and safety of the students. In the case this is not possible, 8th grade activities can be curtailed. 

Cost & Registration

To remove all barriers and maximize accessibility, there will be no charge for 8th graders to participate in 1502. Use discount Code for free registration: 8FRC

Please register by Dec 31 so the team can include your family on all communications and planning.