FIRST® Framework
It takes a lot of work to "run" a Team.
Beyond the Robot, T\the often unnoticed, behind-the-scenes organization and logistics that have been implemented on Team 2337 assist the EngiNERDs in operating an intricate FIRST® Robotics Competition Program. Additionally, this Framework promotes Coopertition® and Gracious Professionalism® outside of the arena, as well as helping the Team remain unified and creates a family-like atmosphere.
Beyond the Robot, T\the often unnoticed, behind-the-scenes organization and logistics that have been implemented on Team 2337 assist the EngiNERDs in operating an intricate FIRST® Robotics Competition Program. Additionally, this Framework promotes Coopertition® and Gracious Professionalism® outside of the arena, as well as helping the Team remain unified and creates a family-like atmosphere.
ScoutingScouting is more than just a way to gather data for Team 2337, it's a culture, a way of life. Each Student and Mentor contributes to the Team's scouting knowledge, as information is gathered match-to-match, in the pits, and throughout the competition. Statistics are then compiled in a comprehensive database, which is able to display each team's estimated contribution, and even predict the outcome of the match. This information assists Team 2337 and their alliance members at each competition.
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Photo Credit: Team 2337
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SafetySafety is an integral part of Team 2337's operations. To us, Safety is about more than just being safe at competition - it's educating people to do safe things at our build facility as well as at home and school. The EngiNERDs have adopted the UL Safety Ambassador Program to teach others about healthy and responsible behaviors.
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Photo Credit: Sam Polikarpus
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Plusses and DeltasAs the Team is celebrating after each competition, anyone present (Students, family members, Mentors and Alumni), has the opportunity to share their thoughts about the event. Each person is asked to share a "Plus" (which is a highlight from the competition), and a "Delta" (which describes something they wish to change for the future).
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Photo Credit: Sam Polikarpus
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Remember When...Often times, the stories that aren't written in record books are the most important to a team's heritage. As Students graduate, Mentors retire, and years go by, many of these tales are lost. In order to avoid this, Team 2337 recalls these anecdotes during the "Remember When" story time. There are often tears of laughter as Team members recall the days of old.
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Photo Credit: Team 2337
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Schedules and AgendasBefore each Competition, a tentative schedule of events and agenda is published for the Team. It is distributed via e-mail and posted on the Team Website, so everyone has access to the information. At each event, Students participate in a Team-wide initiative that evenly distributes the workload among everyone, through scheduled shifts of scouting, free time, and other Team activities.
The Team also utilizes a deliverables calendar to ensure that each Student-Lead Section is completing tasks on time, and to maintain open communication within the Team. |
Photo Credit: Sam Polikarpus
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Team MealsAs part of their annual contribution to the team, each family provides one meal to the Team. An meal schedule is managed online using Google Calendar, and the Team's commitment to continuos has lead us to create an online document to track and sort the kinds of food served.
During Build-season and at Competitions, the entire team eats together, just like a family. Team 2337 also invites Teams that are visiting Premier to enjoy lunch or dinner with the NERDs. |
Photo Credit: Basel Alghanem
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Team Building Activities and GatheringsEven though the EngiNERDs spend a significant amount of time together, dedicated to building the Robot, participating in outreach programs, competing management tasks, and other Team business, the Students and Mentors enjoy spending time doing non-Robot-related things. Gatherings such as LAN parties, bowling nights, birthday parties are commonplace, and often include everyone from the Team.
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Photo Credit: Brandi Bolinger
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Student RecognitionEach year, the Team holds a banquet to recognize members of the Team for their contributions. Each student is given an award that recalls a memory fro the season, or recognizes a role that he or she has filled. Additionally, students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are acknowledged with a certificate of Academic Achievement. After two years on the Team, students can earn a Robotics Varsity Letter.
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Photo Credit: Team 2337
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Team SpiritWhether calling out a "NERD ALERT!" or shouting the Team cheer, the EngiNERDs can be heard throughout the arena at each competition. Spirit brings the Team together, and allows the Robot's Drive Team to hear our support. Parents and guests in attendance are encouraged to learn the Team Cheer, and participate in the spirt, too!
Team Cheer: E to the X to the X! E to the Y to the Y! Secant, Tangent, Cosine, Sine, 3.14159! Go NERDs! Go NERDs! EngiNERDs! |
Photo Credit: Tami Wolfram
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Strategy Dictates DesignTeam 2337 strongly believes that a great strategy will take you a long way in FRC. To that end, the Team uses a "Strategy Dictates Design" approach to determining the functionality of each years' Robot. Rather than designing and fabricating a Robot, then discovering its abilities, the Students and Mentors work together to develop a game-specific strategy, and then designs the robot to meet these requirements. This theory is cross-applied to many other areas of the Team, including scouting, organization, and outreach.
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Photo Credit: Team 2337
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Design ReviewsEach Monday during Build-Season, the EngiNERDs hold a Design Review, where each Student Section Leader is responsible for presenting an update on the progress of their group. The single Power Point slide contains three achievements throughout the preceding week, as well as three goals for the upcoming week.
Design Reviews are an excellent opportunity for Students to hone their public speaking skills, as well as learn how to create attractive and functional presentations. |
Photo Credit: Team 2337
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Academic StandardsEach Student on Team 2337 is held to a high standard, and academics are an intregral part of membership eligibility. Students are required to maintain a semester GPA of 2.5 or higher (Sports require only a 1.75 to play), and must submit progress reports to the Team's Mentors before each competition. Students who are struggling academically are provided with tutoring within the Team, and work with GBHS staff to obtain any necessary instruction assistance. Students with exceptional skills assist with tutoring their peers, and offer advice for reaching a higher standard of excellence.
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Photo Credit: Team 2337
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