Team 967: The Power Of The Stem Program
Walt Disney, the man behind the magic, once said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” With that in mind, Team 967, the Iron Lions, strives to encourage as many people as possible to see the potential in themselves through the STEM and FIRST programs. FIRST is the stepping stone many young students are taking into the STEM program throughout their primary school years and up into middle and high school. The program itself aims to inspire leadership in all ages, while infusing science and technology with crucial values such as confidence, determination, and coopertition. The Iron Lions demonstrate the positive impact FIRST can have through the creation
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of an innovative community starting with its students in FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition programs.
FRC Team 967 was founded in 2001 out of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa. The team began with only nine members, all of whom were male, but has grown to now consist of 25 members--22 boys and three girls. The Iron Lions greatly value the collaborative spirit of FIRST, striving to help other teams meet their potential; this helped them to earn the Gracious Professionalism award in 2014. Team 967 uses this FIRST mindset in their workshop, at competitions, in the community, and in everyday life. An example would be the work 967 has done to help create three new FTC teams at Linn-Mar High School over the past five years. The most recent FTC team started, which was founded in the 2015-2016 season, features a female majority unlike any other team at Linn-Mar. The Iron Lions have a very close relationship with these teams, sharing a lab as well as their many years of experience. Students are by far the most impacted by team 967 through their involvement in the FIRST program, as well as from the collaboration between robotics and the other school events. From an early age, the Iron Lions work to capture the interest of young children by bringing STEM to local daycare centers, volunteering at FIRST events, and holding booths at local middle school events to provide families with information about the program.
An example of this is the student-led summer camps the team has hosted since 2012. These camps provide third to eighth grade students with a game, designed by the high school team, and the materials required to build a robot of their own over the course of a week. Unlike most other team-run camps, 967 focuses on VEX robotics rather than FIRST Lego League applications. This more closely represents what it is like to be on an FTC or FRC team and provides students with a better picture of what high school robotics will be like in the future. Many of the younger camp participants discover the joys and challenges of being in a FIRST Lego League team. Students in the middle school sessions feed into Linn-Mar’s FTC program after becoming introduced to the robots and programming experiences. This camp works as both a fundraiser for 967, as well as an opportunity for the older and experienced students to lead a group of younger students through the many obstacles they may face when learning to build and program. By teaching skills to a younger audience, the team gets a chance to be very introspective when determining how much they really know about the subjects. Leadership roles involved in the running of a camp provide a simulation, realistic to things team members will encounter later in life.
The Iron Lions also focus on inspiring girls to be interested FIRST. The team has participated in a program called Open Minds, Open Doors for three years. This is a one-day event that reaches middle school girls by introducing them to the endless possibilities of STEM. Iron Lions organizes a booth where the girls can drive robots, learn how they can get involved in the FIRST program in their area, and participate in fun activities. This event reaches more than 1000 girls from Eastern Iowa.
Similarly, in 2015, the Iron Lions developed “Immersion Nights” to give interested high schoolers a chance to job shadow the many positions on the team. This three day seminar included over 50 participants who went from station to station, in different sessions, and watched presentations from existing team members while joining in on mock activities that practice needed skills on the team. Getting a chance to see the ins and outs of the team before joining led to a significant increase in freshman participation. Furthermore, the act of preparing presentations helped current members establish better communication skills while simultaneously incorporating a leadership experience.
Team 967 uses its presence in the school district to emphasize the power of FIRST.
Annual appearances in the high school’s homecoming parade increases district awareness of the program in addition to providing an easy way to spread STEM and Lego League information attached to candy given to young interested parade-watchers. In 2010, Linn-Mar Robotics was voted the best float by the judging staff. This really showed that people were noticing the program and became excited to see the robots featured on the float. Within the high school, the Iron Lions spread FIRST ideals by incorporating other departments and clubs into their activities. By reaching out to groups like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Key Club, and Speech, team 967 spreads the message of FIRST and STEM awareness to the high school program. Groups such as these have many skill sets that help 967 learn to be about “more than robots.” Likewise it brings new perspectives into play, and often aids in finding a solution to problems. An example would be the FBLA’s help in preparing the Iron Lions for their Chairman’s presentation in exchange for help learning to use new computer software. This cross-departmental collaboration works to unite groups and builds recognition between many of the programs the high school has to …show more content…
offer.
Additionally, Team 967 plays an active role in its community through numerous demonstrations, volunteering opportunities, and STEM related presentations. Through events like these, the team hopes to stem a conversation around science at large and make room for new out-of-the-box ideas. Two of the team’s most prominent events include their state fair demonstration as well as a student-sponsored Thanksgiving dinner nicknamed “Robo-Thanksgiving.” Events like these are designed to help 967 spread the core values of the program and inspire others to get excited about building robots.
The Iron Lions first went to the Iowa State Fair in the Fall of 2014 to run a FIRST booth in collaboration with two of their sister FTC teams. In their debut year at the fair, the team demonstrated the 2014 FRC robot, provided small Tetrix robots for passersby to test drive, and gave out information on starting or joining teams. During this past state fair 967 took it one step further, adding a demonstration of their 2015 robot up on stage along with a presentation on the spread of FRC throughout Iowa. Although other FIRST Robotics Challenge teams participate in their own state fairs, not many host a booth for an entire day. This is one area where the Iron Lions stand out among their peers. In addition, throughout the time the team spends at the fair, they reach out to hundreds of persons among a variety of age groups. This event accurately represents many of the robotics demonstrations 967 puts on during the year. Some of these include demos at Westfield Elementary, Newbo Market, Guthridge Park, and many others.
On the other hand, the Iron Lions have made an increasing effort to mix more volunteer work into their team bonding.
In 2012 the team put together “Robo-Thanksgiving” for the first time after a student learned that a local assisted living complex would otherwise be given bagged lunches rather than a traditional turkey dinner. With the help of many generous parents, the students managed to organize enough food to feed over 100 residents, staff, and family members on the day before Thanksgiving. The event was successful because it brought together the families at the center as well as the team. This was the first major function the students had to come together to pull off and really brought out the unique characteristics among them. Due to its uniqueness, few resources were able to help the team when planning the event. To help future FIRST teams that wish to host similar events the Iron Lions have started a “how-to” book of all the things they have learned in the last few years. This book will be published on the Linn-Mar Robotics
website.
One of Walt Disney’s most famous quotes was to “never forget it all started with a mouse,” because no matter how much success he faced in life he always wanted to keep the focus on what had brought him to that point. FRC Team Iron Lions continues to teach the lessons given to them by their mentors, teachers, and sponsors through the FIRST program because without them, this team would not be a possibility. The coaches and older students that welcome incoming members and take the time to teach the skills needed to be successful help the team to thrive. Team 967 works to reach out and inspire more every year as a thank you to the ones who inspired them to take a chance on STEM and the FIRST program. FIRST is more than just an after school club -- it’s a lifestyle.
of an innovative community starting with its students in FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition programs.
FRC Team 967 was founded in 2001 out of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa. The team began with only nine members, all of whom were male, but has grown to now consist of 25 members--22 boys and three girls. The Iron Lions greatly value the collaborative spirit of FIRST, striving to help other teams meet their potential; this helped them to earn the Gracious Professionalism award in 2014. Team 967 uses this FIRST mindset in their workshop, at competitions, in the community, and in everyday life. An example would be the work 967 has done to help create three new FTC teams at Linn-Mar High School over the past five years. The most recent FTC team started, which was founded in the 2015-2016 season, features a female majority unlike any other team at Linn-Mar. The Iron Lions have a very close relationship with these teams, sharing a lab as well as their many years of experience. Students are by far the most impacted by team 967 through their involvement in the FIRST program, as well as from the collaboration between robotics and the other school events. From an early age, the Iron Lions work to capture the interest of young children by bringing STEM to local daycare centers, volunteering at FIRST events, and holding booths at local middle school events to provide families with information about the program.
An example of this is the student-led summer camps the team has hosted since 2012. These camps provide third to eighth grade students with a game, designed by the high school team, and the materials required to build a robot of their own over the course of a week. Unlike most other team-run camps, 967 focuses on VEX robotics rather than FIRST Lego League applications. This more closely represents what it is like to be on an FTC or FRC team and provides students with a better picture of what high school robotics will be like in the future. Many of the younger camp participants discover the joys and challenges of being in a FIRST Lego League team. Students in the middle school sessions feed into Linn-Mar’s FTC program after becoming introduced to the robots and programming experiences. This camp works as both a fundraiser for 967, as well as an opportunity for the older and experienced students to lead a group of younger students through the many obstacles they may face when learning to build and program. By teaching skills to a younger audience, the team gets a chance to be very introspective when determining how much they really know about the subjects. Leadership roles involved in the running of a camp provide a simulation, realistic to things team members will encounter later in life.
The Iron Lions also focus on inspiring girls to be interested FIRST. The team has participated in a program called Open Minds, Open Doors for three years. This is a one-day event that reaches middle school girls by introducing them to the endless possibilities of STEM. Iron Lions organizes a booth where the girls can drive robots, learn how they can get involved in the FIRST program in their area, and participate in fun activities. This event reaches more than 1000 girls from Eastern Iowa.
Similarly, in 2015, the Iron Lions developed “Immersion Nights” to give interested high schoolers a chance to job shadow the many positions on the team. This three day seminar included over 50 participants who went from station to station, in different sessions, and watched presentations from existing team members while joining in on mock activities that practice needed skills on the team. Getting a chance to see the ins and outs of the team before joining led to a significant increase in freshman participation. Furthermore, the act of preparing presentations helped current members establish better communication skills while simultaneously incorporating a leadership experience.
Team 967 uses its presence in the school district to emphasize the power of FIRST.
Annual appearances in the high school’s homecoming parade increases district awareness of the program in addition to providing an easy way to spread STEM and Lego League information attached to candy given to young interested parade-watchers. In 2010, Linn-Mar Robotics was voted the best float by the judging staff. This really showed that people were noticing the program and became excited to see the robots featured on the float. Within the high school, the Iron Lions spread FIRST ideals by incorporating other departments and clubs into their activities. By reaching out to groups like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Key Club, and Speech, team 967 spreads the message of FIRST and STEM awareness to the high school program. Groups such as these have many skill sets that help 967 learn to be about “more than robots.” Likewise it brings new perspectives into play, and often aids in finding a solution to problems. An example would be the FBLA’s help in preparing the Iron Lions for their Chairman’s presentation in exchange for help learning to use new computer software. This cross-departmental collaboration works to unite groups and builds recognition between many of the programs the high school has to …show more content…
offer.
Additionally, Team 967 plays an active role in its community through numerous demonstrations, volunteering opportunities, and STEM related presentations. Through events like these, the team hopes to stem a conversation around science at large and make room for new out-of-the-box ideas. Two of the team’s most prominent events include their state fair demonstration as well as a student-sponsored Thanksgiving dinner nicknamed “Robo-Thanksgiving.” Events like these are designed to help 967 spread the core values of the program and inspire others to get excited about building robots.
The Iron Lions first went to the Iowa State Fair in the Fall of 2014 to run a FIRST booth in collaboration with two of their sister FTC teams. In their debut year at the fair, the team demonstrated the 2014 FRC robot, provided small Tetrix robots for passersby to test drive, and gave out information on starting or joining teams. During this past state fair 967 took it one step further, adding a demonstration of their 2015 robot up on stage along with a presentation on the spread of FRC throughout Iowa. Although other FIRST Robotics Challenge teams participate in their own state fairs, not many host a booth for an entire day. This is one area where the Iron Lions stand out among their peers. In addition, throughout the time the team spends at the fair, they reach out to hundreds of persons among a variety of age groups. This event accurately represents many of the robotics demonstrations 967 puts on during the year. Some of these include demos at Westfield Elementary, Newbo Market, Guthridge Park, and many others.
On the other hand, the Iron Lions have made an increasing effort to mix more volunteer work into their team bonding.
In 2012 the team put together “Robo-Thanksgiving” for the first time after a student learned that a local assisted living complex would otherwise be given bagged lunches rather than a traditional turkey dinner. With the help of many generous parents, the students managed to organize enough food to feed over 100 residents, staff, and family members on the day before Thanksgiving. The event was successful because it brought together the families at the center as well as the team. This was the first major function the students had to come together to pull off and really brought out the unique characteristics among them. Due to its uniqueness, few resources were able to help the team when planning the event. To help future FIRST teams that wish to host similar events the Iron Lions have started a “how-to” book of all the things they have learned in the last few years. This book will be published on the Linn-Mar Robotics
website.
One of Walt Disney’s most famous quotes was to “never forget it all started with a mouse,” because no matter how much success he faced in life he always wanted to keep the focus on what had brought him to that point. FRC Team Iron Lions continues to teach the lessons given to them by their mentors, teachers, and sponsors through the FIRST program because without them, this team would not be a possibility. The coaches and older students that welcome incoming members and take the time to teach the skills needed to be successful help the team to thrive. Team 967 works to reach out and inspire more every year as a thank you to the ones who inspired them to take a chance on STEM and the FIRST program. FIRST is more than just an after school club -- it’s a lifestyle.