Summer Camps

In 2014, our team pitched the idea of a robotics summer camp to the Town of Oakville. Since then, members of our team have been hired to independently lead and plan the week-long curriculum at Oakville Parks and Recreations Robotics Summer Camps, including FIRST Values and Lego Mindstorms. Run at two locations, this program engaged over 1 500 campers aged 8-12 and received a lot of positive praise from both the kids and their parents.

This week-long program is designed for an ideal group of 30 students forming 6 teams of 5 along with one technical mentor from our team for each group. When these groups are formed on Day 1, they are assigned to create a team name and poster. Also, throughout the week, they are taught FIRST core values including Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition.

Statistics:

• 1 500 campers over 5 years

• 8 weeks at each location

• 10 team members every week

First Community Challenge

In 2010, We led an initiative to recognize the impact of FIRST in their community. We convinced Mayor Rob Burton to declare Oakville a "FIRST Community" and organized a celebratory event marking the 10th anniversary of FIRST in Canada. This effort inspired neighboring cities like Oshawa and North Bay to follow suit. Our sister team, 1374, now hosts the event annually. Our ultimate goal is to make every town or city with a FIRST team a "FIRST Community," promoting recognition from local leaders for FIRST's role in nurturing future STEM leaders. We offer guidance on organizing similar events through our email 1334captian@gmail.com .

In addition to our efforts to establish FIRST Communities, Team 1334 advocates for promoting FIRST in various ways within the community. They suggest initiatives like demonstrations, school presentations, LEGO robotics programs, charity drives, and summer camps. Their main message emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting local science and technology leaders to inspire others and foster a culture of appreciation for STEM education and innovation.

To achieve this, we followed this outline:

  1. Asking for Recognition: Encourage local government to recognize FIRST's impact and the volunteering efforts of teams.

  2. Identifying Heroes: Recognize exceptional volunteers and mentors in the community.

  3. Inviting Stakeholders: Invite political representatives, media, sponsors, and heroes to the event.

  4. Creating a Theme: Establish a unifying theme for the event to ensure inclusivity and cohesion among all FIRST teams.

  5. Planning: Develop a detailed plan for the event, including scripts, logistics, and coordination efforts.

  6. Celebrating: Bring the community together to celebrate accomplishments, make connections, and enjoy the event.

  7. Sharing Success: Encourage other teams to share their celebrations and successes, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Robots@CNE

In 2018, we co-founded Robots@CNE, the largest annual Canadian offseason event, alongside sister team 1374. Stemming from our prior involvement in robot demonstrations at the CNE, we proposed a full FRC competition at their Innovation Garage, aligning our STEM enthusiasm with the CNE's exhibition goals.

Our team played pivotal roles in planning, contacting CNE executives, and volunteering as Robot Inspectors. Leveraging social media and information pamphlets, we promoted the event extensively, inviting other teams through district competitions.

The event format deviated from standard FRC competitions, spanning three days with four alliances of four teams each competing daily. The cumulative points determined the overall champion. Breaks between matches allowed exploration of the venue, enriching the experience for all.

To compete in the event or find out more information about travel and location, visit the website (robotsatcne.com) to fill out the form. Alternatively, email us at katlinwalsh97@gmail.com!

Statistics:

• 55 000 viewers

• 19 FRC teams

• 3 Full Days of Competition

Mock Kickoff!

Mock Kickoff!

Mock Kickoff — Nov 30

Students in a workshop classroom with tables, tools, and a whiteboard.

What is Mock Kickoff?

The mock kickoff allows teams to prepare for the actual kickoff. It is an excellent opportunity for teams to share ideas and practice so that January 4th goes as smoothly as possible. The Mock Kickoff happened on Saturday, 30th November 2024.

We Invited YOU so your team can go through the design process with a previous year’s game to get thinking about how to brainstorm effectively.

You may ask, “Well, that sounds great. Then where do we attend?” The event was hosted online as we wanted as many people as possible to attend, so we emailed meeting links to those who has decided to sign up. We also allowed teams to join the call together, but everyone needed their own device since the teams was mixed up with other teams. During the event, team members were with a few of their teammates but also an experienced 1334 member.

For more information, refer to the More Information button.

The event has ended!