Student/ Parent & Volunteer Information Meeting

1. Student/ Parent & Volunteer Information Meeting Fall 2019 www.technokats.org

2. Agenda 5:30 – Welcome! Who are the TechnoKats? Overview of FIRST, TechnoKats, Events, Paperwork Sign up at firstinspires.org Safety Overview Turn in paperwork 6:30 Sign-up sheets & snacks

3. Welcome! Kokomo High School Coaches: Dr. Dewing – head coach jdewing@kokomoschools.com Mrs. Edwards – assistant coach for Shop and Safety _________ – assistant coach for Media & Awards _________ – assistant coach for Students & Parents

4. Who are the TechnoKats? • 2019 Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mew6G_og-PI • A few robot videos

5. Who are the TechnoKats? • Part of FIRST Robotics • TechnoKats Team Info • Upcoming Schedule and Events

6. What is FIRST? • For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology • “Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” • (www.usfirst.org)

7. What is TechnoKats? • Student-led organization • Supported by mentors and volunteers • Teaches students STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills • Teaches students “soft skills” • Part of FIRST

8. What do TechnoKats do? • Build robots to compete in FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) • Learn STEM skills from adult mentors in STEM industries • Participate in community outreach events, such as the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Relay for Life, and more

9. What do TechnoKats do? • Compete in FRC and off-season events • Provide electrical set-up for all Indiana competitions • Host competitions and tournaments

10. What do TechnoKats do? • Learn “soft skills” • Present demonstrations at schools and state-wide events • Learn web design, writing, photography & videography, presentation skills, and leadership skills • Support community organizations • Create videos, websites, promotional materials

11. What do TechnoKats do? • Earn scholarship money for college • Earn varsity letters

12. Benefits of Team Membership • All team members receive a pair of safety glasses their first year on the team (after turning in all paperwork, and attending safety training) • Team uniform shirts provided (after earning 30 travel credits) • Scholarship opportunities • Internship opportunities

13. Benefits of Team Membership • Work with team volunteers from STEM-related fields • Resume and college application building • Can earn varsity letter • Grades improve, • friends, food, travel, and fun!

14. Where do the TechnoKats meet? • Kokomo High School • Team Meetings in room 247 (Dr. Dewing’s room) • Shop in room 802 * Enter and exit through door 13 on west side of building for shop sessions

15. Upcoming Events • Festival of Machines @ Connor Prairie – Sept. 14 (date change – Saturday only) • Spirit Jean painting – Sept. 10 (bring your own jeans) • Homecoming Spirit Sheet painting – Sept. 17, 19 • Purdue FIRST Forums – Oct. 19 • CAGE Match – Oct. 25-26 - cancelled • FIRST Lego League Tournament (host & run event) – Nov. 16 • New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – Dec. 31 –Jan. 1 Sept. Oct. Nov./ Dec.

16. What is the schedule? • Year-Round: • Team Meetings every Tuesday 5:30-6:00 • Fall Semester: • Shop work sessions on Tuesdays after team meeting until 7:30

17. What is the schedule? • Build Season (January – March): • After School study sessions: time and location TBA in January • Shop work sessions Tuesdays: after meeting until 8:00 • Shop work sessions Mondays and Thursdays: 5:30-8:00 • Shop work sessions Saturdays: 9:00-4:00 (lunch provided)

18. What is the schedule? • Competition Season (March - April): • After School study sessions: time and place TBA in January • Shop work sessions Tuesdays: after team meeting – 8:00 • Additional shop work sessions as needed • Weekend competitions (final competition schedule TBA in Nov.)

19. How much does it cost? • $45 student participation fee to join team • Due by Tuesday before Fall Break • Minimum of $15 of fee due to attend Festival of Machines Sept. 14 • Travel cost is $350 per person, plus meals (due by end of March) for World Championships in Detroit

20. How do students pay for travel? • AndyMark Work Sessions (more info coming soon) • Sell Discount Cards (beginning soon) • Other fundraisers planned by parent committee • Payment

21. What is expected of team members? • Read current team handbook and follow all rules posted on team website (www.technokats.org) • Read and follow current team Safety manual guidelines on team website • Register for team online at www.firstinspires.org • Turn in signed forms* • Participate in team work sessions and activities • *must be turned in before machine training or travel

22. What is expected of team members? • Complete machine and tool training • Follow instructions of mentors • Maintain safety standards while in the shop; wear PPE • Follow all rules in team handbook

23. What is expected of team members? • Participate in team meetings and activities • Arrange your transportation to and from KHS shop • Read and follow team safety manual • Pass team safety test (available later this fall)

24. What is expected of team members? • Maintain grades • No grades lower than a 70% in any class to travel • No missing assignments to travel • Participate in study sessions, as needed • Earn travel credits second semester • More info on this in team handbook

25. How can volunteers get involved? • Serve as a mentor in a technical or business area • Teach students various skills • Train students in safety, to use machines, software, wiring, etc. • Help with fundraising or sponsorships • Organize/ provide meals for the team • Attend competitions and support team in the pit or stands • Pull trailer

26. How can parents get involved? • Come to the shop any time • Participate in the Parent Committee • Provide meals and snacks • Participate in fundraising • Serve as a volunteer (complete info sheet in student folder) • Attend events & shop sessions

27. How can parents get involved? • Immediate Needs: • Parent Committee Coordinator • Vehicle and driver to pull trailer

28. Paperwork

29. Paperwork • Volunteer Mentors: • Green Mentor & Volunteer Information and Contract • Read team manual and safety manual on website • Complete and turn in tonight: • Students: • Yellow Student Information Sheet • Field Trip Permission form (2 sides) • Student Contract • Light blue Drug Testing Consent card • To turn in next Tuesday: • - Shop User Safety Agreement Parent Volunteers: -Golden Parent Volunteer Information & Contract

30. Sign up for team online • www.firstinspires.org

31. Shop Safety Overview • Mrs. Edwards • Safety video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBf6BTX1bmM

32. Basic Rules for Entering and Working in Shop • In an effort to ensure student safety at all times, no students are allowed to enter the shop for any reason without at least one mentor present. • At least two mentors must be present for students to work with tools or machines.

33. Shop Rules • Safety glasses must be worn at all times in shop and storage areas. • Sturdy footwear (closed toe) must be worn at all times in work areas. • Long and loose hair must be pulled back. • Close fitting/ protective clothing must be worn. • Rings and jewelry may not be worn when operating machines. • No food, drinks, or cell phones in the shop.

34. Shop Rules • Prior to working in the shop, students must receive basic training by an approved mentor on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), use of the Eye Wash Station, Hand Tools, and Battery Safety. • * This will be completed at our team meeting on September 10

35. Operating Machinery • Students must be trained on each machine before they use it. • The mentor trainer will personally observe and sign off that the student is trained on a particular machine. • A list of trained students will be posted near each machine. Only those on the list may use the machine.

36. Summary • All students must read the Shop Safety Manual and sign and turn in the shop safety agreement • The Shop Safety l & Team Manuals are posted on the team website • Let’s have a great year!!!!!

37. Thank you for coming! • Please turn in all completed paperwork to the box near the snack table • Register on firstinspires.org • Adults, complete online background checks • Enjoy some snacks! • Sign-up sheets near snack table • Students, see you next week!