King’s Robotics Team

Tomorrow’s Engineers Today

King’s High Robotics Team

Application Packet

Due Tuesday May 29th

Dear Parents and Candidates,

Thank you for your interest in the King’s High School Robotics Team. In this candidate packet you will find:

  1. Applicant signature form (this page) – due to Mr. Thompson by 3:30pm Tuesday May 29.
  2. Math & Science Teacher recommendations –one each, due to Mr. Thompson by 3:30pm Tuesday May 29.
  3. Parent Information Sheet – important information including schedule and costs.
  4. Scholarship Information Sheet –many scholarships are available to students that participate in FIRST!

Prerequisites

  • Loves to build and create new things, enjoys tackling challenging problems.
  • Has an excellent work ethic, not afraid of hard work and long hours.
  • Collaborative: maintains a positive, flexible, and creative mindset in the face of difficult problems.
  • Has a keen interest in mathematics, engineering, science, technology, etc.
  • Willing and able to be part of a creative team focused on solving problems under tight constraints.
  • Completed Algebra 1, average grade 85% or better (or teacher permission).
  • Teachable attitude with a keen desire to learn and grow.

Expectations

  • I understand that attendance at all build sessions (including Saturdays) is mandatory.
  • I understand that the Robotics team is a year-round rigorous, varsity level activity and that I will not be able to participate in other varsity level activities.
  • I understand that while Robotics team build sessions are fun, participation requires a high level of mental focus and energy. I will contribute at the highest level even after a long day at school.
  • I understand I must work comfortably in a team environment by offering potential solutions to difficult problems, participating in constructive analysis of options, and supporting final team decision even when my ideas are not adopted.
  • I understand that there are many roles on the team and that I may not have “hands-on” the robot every day, especially during my first year on the team.
  • I understand that for the team to be successful, I must participate in “business” type activities such as fundraising, marketing, advertising, public relations (including web site, video), etc.
  • I understand my personal costs will depend on my level of participation in fundraising activities.

STUDENT SIGNATURE: ______

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: ______

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM AND THE ESSAY TO MR. THOMPSON BY 3:30PM TUESDAY MAY 29th

Math/SciTeacher Recommendation FormStudent: ______

This student is applying for the high school robotics team. Successful students are those who are creative critical thinkers, relish problem solving, are able to focus for extended periods of time, and are willing to work collaboratively on tough problems. Of particular importance is a positive outlook: a glass is half full rather than a half empty person.

Please evaluate this student based on the following assessment by circling 10 indicating the student is very much like this down to 1 indicating the student is not at all like this.

Please return to Mr. Thompson no later than Tuesday May 29.

Very much like thisNot at all like this

  1. Critical thinker: demonstrates analytical reasoning skills.

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  1. Problem solver: Interested in and intrigued by solving problems.

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  1. Creative thinker: thinks outside-the-box, sees things from multiple perspectives.

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  1. Curious mind: wants to learn, wants to know why.

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  1. Self-controlled: able to maintain focus and attention.

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  1. Reliable: completes assignments in a timely manner; doesn’t need to be “baby-sat.”

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  1. Collaborative: willing to contribute ideas, and willing to listen to and consider ideas from others.

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  1. Postive: is generally a positive person; able to see and focus on the best in people and situations.

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On the back please write any additional thoughts that will give more insight into how this student thinks and performs. Thanks so much for your valuable time and insight.

Teacher name (printed): ______

Signed: ______Date: ______

General Parent Information

King’s High School Robotics Team is an extracurricular robotics team that competes in the FIRST Technology Challenge (FTC) competition. The team will build a $2500 robot to compete in a FIRST-designed game inregional level competitions culminating in the state level event to be held early 2013. The winner of the state competition will go to St. Louis in April to compete in the World Championship.

For a description of FIRST and its goals, see the attached brochure, and visit:

  • FIRST Washington State site:
  • FIRST national site:

Team Vision

To inspire an interest in and passion for science and technology while preparing our students to succeed in tomorrow’s competitive andhighly technical global marketplace.

Team Goals

  1. Develop a passion for facing and solving complex problems.
  2. Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  3. Apply science, technology and mathematics to solve real-world problems.
  4. Develop interpersonal skills necessary to be a contributing member of a high-functioning team.
  5. Have fun doing it!

Level of Commitment

The Robotics Team is treated as a year-roundvarsity sport. It will not be possible to be a member of the Robotics Team and participate in another sport. It is possible to letter in Robotics. Unfortunately, participation in the Robotics Team does not satisfy PE credit. Participation in drama, Living Faith, etc. is possible depending on team role and requires careful planning and coordination.

Schedule

The season starts August 15, 2012. Once school starts, the team will meet Monday through Thursday and Saturday each week. School day meetings will be from 3:15-6:00pm. Saturday build sessions are 10am-4pm and typically are held at school; a few may be at the Microsoft hardware device lab. Saturday build sessions are the most important and productive, and hence are mandatory.As we move further into the season, the team may decide it needs to meet more frequently, depending on project status.

Team Tryouts

Application to the Robotics Team will include:

  1. Parent/student signature form.
  2. Teacher recommendation form.
  3. Tryout session: a three phase, two hour session during which applicants will demonstrate their problem solving skills, ability to think creatively, focus under pressure, and to constructively participate in group problem solving sessions.

Tryout sessions will be held the week of May 29. Application packets are due to Mr. Thompson by 3:30 pm Tuesday May 29th. Results of tryouts will be announced by Monday June 4th.

Season

The new game/challenge is announced early September. Each state/province has a regional tournament, the winner of which earns a seat at the World Championship. We will compete in as many regionals in the Pacific Northwest as possible, including British Columbia (late November), Washington (November through January) and Idaho (February). World Championship is the end of April in St. Louis.

The BC event is a single day event, the Idaho event is a weekend (students will miss ½ day of school Friday) and the World Championship is a weeklong event (students will miss Tuesday-Friday of school).

Cost

There is a team fee of $120 to help cover a portion of the annual recurring costs for building the robots and practice field. The school is covering the significant portion of the annual recurring costs and of competition costs for the Washington state tournament series. Students pay for food and lodging for non-Washington state tournaments.

If the team earns a seat at the World Championship, each student is responsible for paying for trip costs (travel, hotel and food). A reasonable estimate based on the past two years is $800 per student.

Summer Participation

Participation in summer team activities is completely optional. Summer team activities include:

  1. King’s Robotics Summer Camp: First two weeks of August we will host two one week robotics enrichment camps for elementary through junior high students. Team members may serve as teacher aides and earn service hours.
  2. Robotics lab: We hope to be moving into new, larger workspace this summer. If this becomes a reality, team members will be asked to help with the process of moving into and setting up our new workspace.
  3. Fundraising: Any fundraising activities the students create!

Team Leadership

Mr. Mikel Thompson (206-542-1601 and ) is the head team mentor/coach. Mr. Mike Pringle and Mr. Todd Rudberg are the assistant team mentors/coaches.

Team Website

Scholarship Information