Team Systems of FIRST
A lot of concentration in robotics is given
to the design and building of the robot, but is the robot the only system you have to design?
NO, the robot is only one subsystem of the FIRST system at a team level. So
what is the FIRST system? The elements of the FIRST system will be different
for each team, but here are some subsystems that need dedicated design efforts. The
Systems Engineering on these pages only look at the system from a team level.
Safety
System: Working around the tools, the metals, and the robot could create
safety hazards that have to be identified and managed. Establishing a good safety
system within your team is important within the total FIRST system. Remember that safety
is just not in the shops, it is in the home, the school, and while out with your friends. Make sure that your safety
system also looks at these the whole safety system for your team. The FIRST handbook has an excellent discussion on Safety.
The
Team System: The team system is how you are going to design your team. The handbook on the FIRST website is an excellent resource on some team structures. A must
read for rookie and veteran teams alike. Also part of your team is the mentors,
advisors, and community supporters. What is your team philosophy and rules of
conduct? The design and building of a great team system is the foundation to
your future success. Is your team organization during the build phase the same
as the organization during the competition phase?
Archive
System: What? Well as you are
designing your robots, your community outreach, and your team, you have to really be thinking about how you are going to document
the success and failures. Does your team document its software from last year,
what worked for fund raisers; do you have a design notebook that future teams can use?
Documentation is a key to a good systems engineering approach to any design, take some time to think about this system
and you will not be sorry.
The
Robot System: Well this system is probably given the most time and dedication during the course of the year. A good robot system will give your team recognition during competitions and could bring home a competition
championship.
The
Outreach System: This system is a little more abstract but how is your team
designing your community outreach? Do you have plans for media events, elementary
and middle school demonstrations, sponsoring Lego and/or VEX teams. The vision
of Dean Kamen is to “…to create a world where science and technology are celebrated…where young people dream
of becoming science and technology heroes….” How does your community
outreach system inspire others?
Financial
System: Well this one is required for every team. With potential budgets running from $10,000 to $20,000, a well run financial system will be vital to building
a robot, traveling to competitions, recognition banquets, etc.... How do
you develop your budget, how do you get corporate sponsors and how do you do fund raising?
So, if you want to be a SE STAR OF FIRST, remember these systems
Safety, Team, Archive, Robot, Outreach,
and Financial.
Next: System Design
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