These questions are intended to address some common concerns from parents regarding our programs. Information about specific programs is also provided under "Robotics Teams", and the age-appropriate program.
How can my kid join a robotics team?
That depends on the level of robotics your kid is interested in.
For FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), Grades 9-12, please contact Mrs. Young (rmyoung.pie3@gmail.com) or fill out the contact us form. Our affiliated teams in Howard County and Pennsylvania may also be open to new members, and Mrs. Young can make connections.
For FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), Grades 7-12, we ask that contact one of the team leaders to see about joining. Submit the "Info on Joining a Team" Form to get started. Please share the age and school of the student who is interested, and give us an idea of where you are located. Students at South Carroll, Francis Scott Key and Manchester Valley High Schools have a school FTC team and a teacher to contact about joining. We can also assist with forming new FTC teams if one of these teams is not an option.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) programs (grades pre-K through 8th grade), teams often start with kids who know each other (and in the pandemic this means that they are already in regular contact, which helps). One or more of the parents serve as team leader(s). This is especially true for the very young students in in FLL Discover or Explore. Training is provided for interested parents toward the end of summer after our Summer Sessions are held (after 2021 we hope to start these sessions again!).
Once you have kids and adult leaders assembled, we can help with registration. PIE3 provides basic kits, which must be returned at the end of the season. We can answer any questions that may arise and help train coaches. Dues are recommended, and required for some teams. This helps with additional materials, registration for events, team uniforms, etc. Contact us for details.
For FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), Grades 9-12, please contact Mrs. Young (rmyoung.pie3@gmail.com) or fill out the contact us form. Our affiliated teams in Howard County and Pennsylvania may also be open to new members, and Mrs. Young can make connections.
For FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), Grades 7-12, we ask that contact one of the team leaders to see about joining. Submit the "Info on Joining a Team" Form to get started. Please share the age and school of the student who is interested, and give us an idea of where you are located. Students at South Carroll, Francis Scott Key and Manchester Valley High Schools have a school FTC team and a teacher to contact about joining. We can also assist with forming new FTC teams if one of these teams is not an option.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) programs (grades pre-K through 8th grade), teams often start with kids who know each other (and in the pandemic this means that they are already in regular contact, which helps). One or more of the parents serve as team leader(s). This is especially true for the very young students in in FLL Discover or Explore. Training is provided for interested parents toward the end of summer after our Summer Sessions are held (after 2021 we hope to start these sessions again!).
Once you have kids and adult leaders assembled, we can help with registration. PIE3 provides basic kits, which must be returned at the end of the season. We can answer any questions that may arise and help train coaches. Dues are recommended, and required for some teams. This helps with additional materials, registration for events, team uniforms, etc. Contact us for details.
Will this interfere with sports teams?
Robotics is a competitive sport in many ways ("It takes a team to build a robot"), so it is possible. Advice varies depending on which program your kid is involved with as follows.
- FLL Explore- This shouldn't be a problem. Teams are usually really small and meetings can be arranged around athletic commitments.
- FLL Challenge- This shouldn't be a problem with careful planning. Teams are usually small enough so that meetings can be arranged around athletic commitments.
- FTC - The Build season is fairly long, so it may be possible, with planning, as long as the team member does not play varsity sports in both the fall and winter.
- FRC - The Build season is short, January/February followed by a short competitive season March/April. A varsity winter sport is likely to be too much of a conflict, but fall and spring sports are workable.
Will this interfere with other activities?
Robotics is compatible with Boy and Girl Scouts and like activities. Actually, the commitment and participation is very similar to Scouting programs. Problems would only arise if the activity is at a very high or competitive level. We advise students to make robotics one of their top five priorities during the season (alongside family, school, church, sports and other activities). This is a personal decision, and best decided after exploring the details of the program and reflecting on those other priorities.
What is FIRST?
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is a non-profit founded by inventor Dean Kamen more than twenty years ago "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." See www.firstinspires,org for a description of the four programs: FLL Jr, FLL, FTC and FRC
What type of kids enjoy participating in FIRST Robotics Teams?
A wide variety of kids of all ages enjoy robotics. It is not just the 7-year-old who loves LEGOs! In fact, just building with LEGOs at a young age is not a pre-requisite nor a guarantee that your child will love a robotics team experience. The programs stress teamwork and communications, and have rules and specific tasks to accomplish within the season. Growing in many ways, building confidence, learning from failure in a safe environment -these are part of the FIRST programs. And no prior experience is necessary to jump in, learn and have fun.
At the FTC and FRC level there is also a wide variety of skills necessary for a team; therefore, a wide variety of kids can enjoy participating.. Mechanically inclined kids and those interested in programming are natural fits but kids with all sorts of creative skills are also needed. The team works like a small engineering firm with business, language, visual arts, and public relations skills a must. Basically any kid interested in working on something bigger than themselves, with a good work ethic, and an ability to focus and learn will do well on FIRST teams while learning valuable skills for the adult world.
At the FTC and FRC level there is also a wide variety of skills necessary for a team; therefore, a wide variety of kids can enjoy participating.. Mechanically inclined kids and those interested in programming are natural fits but kids with all sorts of creative skills are also needed. The team works like a small engineering firm with business, language, visual arts, and public relations skills a must. Basically any kid interested in working on something bigger than themselves, with a good work ethic, and an ability to focus and learn will do well on FIRST teams while learning valuable skills for the adult world.
What is FLL?
FIRST LEGO League (FLL)encompasses three programs for children in Pre-K through 8th grade.
- FLL Discover enables the youngest builders and inventors to learn using Duplos. The program is very open-ended, inspirational and fun.
- FLL Explore is open to grades 1-3. Kids research a topic and build a Lego model. They present their work at an Expo, if desired, or more than one Expo. Teams can be as small as 2 or 3, or up to around 6 or 7 kids. It is very inexpensive, informal and low-key. The season is flexible; expos happen all the time.
- FLL Challenge is open to students in grades 4-8. Teams of 5-10 (max) kids build robots based on LEGO Mindstorms, and present an innovative solution to a problem presented each year - the theme changes annually. Teams use Mindstorm robots to solve a series of challenges, called 'missions' described for them and created on a 4'x8' playing mat with models made of Lego parts. They can use the robot and any Lego parts to create and program a device to accomplish a mission. A typical mission involves moving the robot to a point on the field, grabbing or manipulating a part, and returning to base; there are 20 or so missions and the teams get 2 1/2 minutes to do as much as they can. This is evaluated in an interview with judges and in a fun, exciting, and public contest. The teams must also show teamwork, sportsmanship and creativity at competitions.
What is FTC?
What is FTC? FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) - grades 7-12. Teams program in Java, communicating with and controlling the robots as well as programming autonomous tasks.. They compete in one, two or three one-day qualifiers on weekends to advance to the state tournament, and may then may go on to the World Championship. The robots are made of metal parts and other materials, must be smaller than an 18" cube, and can also include 3D printed or machined parts. The challenge changes annually and is announced in early September. Teams can exceed 10, and should be at least 5 students. Robots operate autonomously for 30 sec and then via driver controls for 2 min. Cost is $1200-$1500+ depending on how many qualifiers you go to and what special parts you buy.
What is FRC?
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) - grades 9-12. The robot can be made of anything, but not exceed 120 lbs and some size limits that change each year. These are the 'big robots', and play 3 vs 3 on a 27' x 54' field. Cost for teams, which can be any size but typically are 20-50 kids, is at least $15,000/year for most teams. Registration, materials and travel are much more expensive since the events are 3 days and all around the country. Off-season events take place most of the year.
How much does it cost to start a team?
This varies greatly by program.
To start a FLL Challenge team, including registration ($225), field kit ($75) and basic Mindstorm ($450-$500) is $750-$800 plus shipping. Typically, about $200-$500 more will be needed to cover t-shirts ($100-$250 depending on source and number), local event registration ($75), additional parts (varies greatly) and props/costumes (varies).
To start a FLL Challenge team, including registration ($225), field kit ($75) and basic Mindstorm ($450-$500) is $750-$800 plus shipping. Typically, about $200-$500 more will be needed to cover t-shirts ($100-$250 depending on source and number), local event registration ($75), additional parts (varies greatly) and props/costumes (varies).
Where and when do teams meet?
The times and locations for meetings is entirely up to the coaches and other parents. If space is available at school, or if a teacher is interested in hosting, it is a bonus. PIE3 can submit a Use of Facilities form for after school and evening hours to get the access if no teacher is involved. This will not allow teams to store materials at a school. Churches and libraries are also possible meeting sites. Many teams meet at homes at least part of the time to get greater access and flexibility.
How much time does FLL require?
I recommend 2 meetings/week for 2 hours for middle school, but sometimes for elementary kids fewer and/or shorter meetings are better, with occasional long meetings on a weekend as the competition approaches. Coaches are free to set reasonable goals for new teams and adjust the meeting times accordingly.
What is the length of the season for FLL and when are the competitions?
The new game is released in late August. Competitions begin early December and finish by mid-Feb at the latest, with the state tournament in late Feb. Teams compete only once, on a weekend, unless they qualify for the state tournament. Competitions are usually within a 45 min drive, sometimes a bit farther, and are a full day (9 am-5 pm typically). The state tournament is at UMBC in Catonsville.
What is involved in the coaching?
Coaches need no specific knowledge, though at least one adult with a little programming experience can be helpful. Mostly, coaches need a bit of patience and the ability to help guide and direct the kids, while making this a fun experience. FLL Jr coaching is similar, with less complex programming.
Where can we get help for funding?
Teams may be supported by PTA/PTSOs to some extent, and local business contributions obtained through team parents. Teams may also hold traditional fundraisers, and most teams collect a small amount ($50-$75 per team member) in dues. PIE3 sometimes can offer some matching funds to teams who successfully raise some of their own. PIE3 has limited grants to help teams, and can loan some equipment.
What does PIE3 do for teams?
Our non-profit, PIE3, runs a rec program along the lines of a sporting program except for that it is robotics. As in any rec sport, we need to recruit and train coaches, which is ongoing over the summer and into the fall. Coaches get a access to resources, one or two Saturday training sessions, and contacts locally and state-wide for support. Meetings generally take place at one of the team member's homes in a basement, family room or garage. We do not have much space and are not associated with any school, but sometimes arrangements can be made to use a school or library, or even to store some materials there. Our facility in Finksburg, the Carroll Center for Robotics and Engineering, is where the FTC and FRC teams work, and we store much of our materials.