What is FIRST, FTC, and FRC?

• FIRST and Philosophy• Gracious Professionalism

Who are the ViperBots?

• 4545 Ouroboros• 4546 SnakeByte• 6209 Venom• 6210 Stryke• 6299 QuadX• 7161 Hydra• 11503 HyperFang• 12596 Copperhead• FRC 6800 Valor

Who are we?• Band• Vision• Tennis• Swimming• LaCrosse• Soccer• Cross Country• Basketball

• Football• Choir• Track• NHS, StuCo• FFA, HOSA• DECA• Pianists• Theatre• Hockey

Who are we?

We are passionate about • Robotics• Academics (UIL)• Competition• Innovation• Community• Family

Member Expectations • Team Model• Commitment• Attitude• Contribution• Reliability• Communication• Academics

What is the competition like?• Qualifying Rounds• Elimination Rounds• Judging• Scouting• Spirit and Marketing

First Tech Challenge (FTC) v FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC)?

FRC (1 team)• $1200 Participation Fee• 1/4 Kick-Off• 6 week Build Season• 8 week Comp. Season• 15 – 25 members• FRC Class Required• Practice (All Required)

• Monday, Wednesday 4-7• Tuesday 4 - 6• Friday 4 - 10• Saturday 8 - 8

• Fabrication, CAD, CNC• 4’ x 5’ Robots, 120 pounds• 54’ x 27’ Arena• Advancement - District, State.

Worlds

FTC (8 teams ?)• $500 Participation Fee• 9/7 Kick-Off• 3 - 6 month Build Season• 6 month Comp. Season• 10 member teams• FTC Class Optional• Practice TBD by team• Design, 3D Print, REV

Parts, CNC, Fabrication • 18” Cube Size• 12’ x 12’ Arena• Advancement

• League• Alamo Regional• Worlds

FTC v FRC• FRC and FTC are parallel programs• We want to foster growth in both programs without cannibalizing• Each program has their own specific focus• Each program has their own time commitments• Each program is supported equally• There is no “Varsity” v “JV” designation• We encourage Rookies to apply for FRC as well as FTC• FRC applicants must also interview for a position

FTC Season Overview?• Summer Open Labs, Specialty Training• 7/24 – 7/28 Summer Rookie Camp• Culture Day • 9/7 Kick Off • September to November - Build Time• December and January - League Play• January – League Play, League Championships• March - Alamo Regional Championships• April - World Championships• March to May - League Extended Season• April – UIL State Championships• ~7 Saturday Build Days• 2 Thanksgiving Build Days• 4 Winter Break Build Days • Off campus Mentoring, Outreach, Team Events

Commitment -Is Robotics right for you?

Can you commit to a program that runs September through April?

Can you commit to at least 3 hours a week after school? Average = 5.25 hours

Can you commit to 4 Saturdays in the Fall ?

Can you commit to an undefined competition schedule?

Can you support the ideas of the “team” over your own ideas?

Can you communicate and resolve conflicts ahead of time?

Can you handle a demanding program while maintaining your grades?

Are you already in more than one demanding program?

A Sad Tale – A Story of Over CommitmentSeptember - 4 Seniors, 1 Junior, 2 Sophomores, 4 Freshman(5 members had attended the World Championships in the past)

• 1 Vision and Dance Leadership, Debate• 1 Band• 2 Football, Track, Wrestling, Off Season Weights• 1 After School Job• 1 Diver and Track • 1 Boyfriend• 1 Debate, Theatre

What Happened?• 3 Quit by January 1st - Vision, After School Job, Debate/Theatre• 1 Band person missed State Champs, Qualifier, and all Mock Judging Sessions• 3 Diver, Football could never be there after school• 2 Off Season Weights could only attend 2 days in the morning for 45 minutes• No more than 4 people were ever at a build day• 1 Kid stopped showing up because no one was ever there• Week of competitions, Sponsors in Robot room until 2 am (3 different occasions)• Everything placed on the shoulders of 2 committed kids (1 Senior, 1 Sophomore)• Only 1 person returned– No one enjoyed the experience!

Participation Fee - FTC• $500 per year• Financial Concerns ? (see Mr. Allen)• $250 Due 4/20, $250 Due 5/31

• Transportation/Lodging through Regionals• Entry Fees, Registrations• Banquet• Organization T-Shirt, Team T-Shirt• Parts, Materials, Supplies• Food at Competitions and Build Days (Comp. Dinner not included.)

Other Costs• Marketing supplies• Non –Standard building materials• Consumables• Printing costs• Food – competitions/unofficial build days• Advancement costs for Worlds

Participation Fee - FRC• $1,200 per year• Financial Concerns ? (see Mr. Allen)• $250 Due 4/20, $950 Due in 5/31

• Transportation/Lodging for 2 District Events• Entry Fees, Registrations• Banquet• Organization T-Shirt, Team T-Shirt• Parts, Materials, Supplies• Food at Competitions and Build Season Friday & Saturday meals

Other Costs• Optional Off Season Events

• 2 Summer Events• 2 Fall Events• ~ $225 per event• ~ $600 Out of State Regional

When do you practice or meet? • FTC Practice times determined by team• FTC After School and Before School by Team/Sub-Team• Must attend minimum of 3 hours per week, 8 hours max

• ViperBots Selections will be announce 4/13 by email• Teams selections announced in 5/3, required meeting

When will teams be selected?

When and how do I apply?• Applications on school website• Submit in person to

• Mr. Allen in Room 1620• Ms. Wendel in Room 1614• Allen, Wendel, or Adrian in Robot Room 1608

Application Advice

• Be sure you answer the question, and all parts of the question• You must back up your skill rating with evidence• Don’t try to tell us what you think we want to hear. Instead, answer

the questions honestly. We are looking for a glimpse into who you are and your personality.

• Misleading or untruthful applications will be excluded. • We don’t care about the accomplishments of the robotics team that

you participated with in the past. We want to know what “you” bring to ViperBots and how you will contribute.

• Be sure to list other relevant experience that does not fit into any of the application criteria.

Questions?