ROBOTICS @ STA – Registration
WHY ROBOTICS?
Robotics has the potential to engage all students, regardless of their level of academic ability, in complex yet fun ways, encouraging them to use critical thinking skills to solve a given task. Robotics requires students to develop mechanical and electrical knowledge as well as an understanding of computer programming, teaching students how to design, prototype, and troubleshoot, all while working together as a team. Students learn how to document the process in an engineering notebook and become confident speaking during judging interviews. Robotics is one of the most valuable academic activities a school can provide students in order to prepare them for life.
STA Robotics Program – Registration Information and Payment
- The Robotics Team cost is $165 and is paid through Smart Tuition. The season officially starts August 21st and does not end until March 14th with students meeting Thursday after school from 3-5 pm and two or more Saturday mornings each month from 9-Noon, to design, build, code and drive their robots. Each season a new game is revealed that provides the challenge that students will use to design their robots for play at competitions throughout the year. If a team qualifies for state they will attend this competition on Saturday, March 14th. A schedule of practice dates for the team will be emailed to parents in August. We will have our first meeting on Thursday, August 21st in the Science Lab 3-5pm. Students should bring their own snack/drink. We will be hosting two competitions at STA in November and December and will need all parents to volunteer in some capacity. Teams will also compete in two additional competitions at other schools. All competitions are on Saturdays and dates will be announced once teams are registered.
- Students and coaches will work together to form teams of 3 or 4 students each. Depending on the age of the student they will be on either an elementary or middle school team. In general 4th and 5th graders will be on elementary teams and 6-8th graders will be on middle school teams.
- Fees will be used to help cover the costs for team registrations, competitions, and shirts. Outside revenue sources such as grants and hosting tournaments will be used to cover all other costs beyond that.
- All of our students are involved in many other activities and we understand they may not be available for every practice. This is a big time commitment but is so worth it! Communication is the key. Please notify coaches if your student cannot make a practice.