How to Train Your Dragons
Dragon Robotics's 2015 robot will be named Toothless because of this year's Chairman's Award submission theme, which is about how we train our dragons. This follows the development of our team as reflected through the team's four colors:
Green-- Engineering and Design: A well run robotics team must have a good foundation in engineering and design. They must know how to use the tools available to them, looking for new ways to connect to the engineering world, and continuously learning how to design.
Purple-- Inspiration and Image: A model team needs to inspire interest in STEM, and demonstrate the amazing things high school students can accomplish. They need to carry themselves in a manner that displays the image they want to create. They are not only a team, but a family, and a very well run business with a well executed plan. A model team needs to connect with the community, spread the message of STEM & FIRST, be well organized, have a well documented business plan, and be an example of a well spirited team.
Pink-- Improvement, Progress, and Sustainability: A Chairman’s team, needs to recognize that our work is never done. There is always room for improvement. Pink was added as our third, unofficial color to signify the changes we want to make and the changes we will continue to make to improve our team, and our impact. This includes changes to increase mentors, engineering skills, team safety and community outreach. This step also requires a team to think about how they will be able to continue and sustain. Recognizing this, a model will create a network of support, and work to create a structure that will ensure continuous success. This includes team organization, as well as training, team bonding, and on-going aggressive recruitment.
White-- collaboration and Sharing: A Chairman’s team must also share what they know, and work with others to make their team stronger. This includes working together as a well run team, but it also means collaborating with the school, the school district, other clubs on campus, staff, and the surrounding community. Sharing with the community is a must. This then must also extend to the STEM community and further into the robotics communities. Mentoring other teams, and allow yourself to continuously be mentored by those you admire. Amazing teams have a network of support from other teams, and stand as support for them in return (District Alliance, Coconuts, Desert Vista, Boxerbots, Arcadia…). They also are in the community, and in public continuously sharing what they know.
