Outreach
Helping Grow FIRST
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE JR.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6-10 while exciting them through a brand they know and love − LEGO®.
Retro5ive has successfully established an FLL JR. Team in Melvindale, known as the Rocketeers.
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
FIRST LEGO League teams research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®, then compete on a table-top playing field.
Retro5ive has successfully established a FLL JR. Team in Melvindale.
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE
FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.
Retro5ive has established a FTC Team in Melvindale, know as Strong Robotics.
Retro5ive loves going to the local library, middle school, and elementary school to get students involved in the world of FIRST and STEAM. FIRST could always use bright, creative individuals who are committed to the sport
Retro5ive's Outreach Events
Session 1 – Engineering Design Process
Breakdown:
– Whole-group introduction
– Break students into teams
– Introduce Ping Pong Smash/Obstacle Course Challenge
– Have teams pick names
– Begin Engineering Design Process Worksheet
Session 2 – Build The Chassis
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Identify tools needed to build the chassis
– Build the chassis
Session 3 – Drive Train
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Identify tools needed to assemble drive train and battery mount
– Assemble drive train
– Assemble battery mount
Session 4 – Control System
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Identify tools needed to assemble control system
– Assemble and mount control system (no testing, yet)
Session 5 – Manipulator
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Identify tools needed to assemble manipulator
– Assemble manipulator and attach flag to the rear of the chassis
Session 6 – Remote Control
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Program remote control
– Refine robot design
Session 7 – Testing The Robot
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Test robot and begin practice driving
Session 8 – Competition
Breakdown:
– Safety
– Compete against other robots in obstacle course, crush the ping pong ball, and raise your team flag!
Build A Bot with Retro5ive
What is Build A Bot?
Retro 5ive created an event for elementary to middle school school students to introduce them to STEAM and FIRST Robotics using Tetrix Robots: these events can be broken into 8, one hour long sessions. Students learn building, control systems, electrical, and more while building a ping pong smashing robot!
Spheros with Girl Scouts
Retro5ive’s members went to Anderson Elementary School to help the young girls learn how to program a Sphero. The girls had the opportunity to speak to the members about their roles on the team as well. Working with these Girl Scouts introduced them to the wonders of STEAM. They were enthusiastic to learn and had a blast with the team!
Build Day with Youths
Our team loves to inspire young students to join FIRST. On Build Day with Youths, we invite over elementary students to show them what out team has been working on. These students have the chance to learn about design, build, programming, and wiring. We also teach them how to safely use tools and the process of building a robot.
Engineering Day
Retro5ive set up a station at our high school’s annual Engineering Day. We allowed students to drive our robot and speak to members about what our team does. Events like these help us recruit members for the future. It also exposes our team brand to other businesses and colleges. We showcased our website and the various awards our team won during competition season.
Family Tech Time
Family Tech Time is way to promote FIRST and STEAM in the community. Our team took our robot and spheros to the Melvindale Public Library to introduce students to the technology. Students interacted with the team and asked questions about how our robot was created. Outreach events like these establishing ties with the community and encourage students to get involved with FIRST.
Rocking with Robots
During this event, elementary students were introduced to STEAM and FIRST Robotics. Our team taught the students about the engineering process by leading them through the following three stations: FIRST Robotics Competition Demo, Robotics Competitions, and Robotics Teams. The second station ran by Retro5ive gave the students the opportunity to implement what they learned.
Barnes and Noble Fair
We partnered with Barnes and Noble for a book fair. We received a portion of the total profit they made from this event. Additionally, we engaged with people interested in the process of building our competitive robot and what our team was all about. Partnering with businesses is a great way to fundraise for our team.
Melvindale Days Showcase
Every year, Melvindale organizes a carnival known as Melvindale Days. Hundreds of people go within the week and have tons of fun! Retro5ive set up a tent near the entrance and we sold our merchandise. Additionally, hand decorated buttons and informational pamphlets about FRC Robotics were handed out.
The Melvindale Minute
Retro5ive was featured in the Melvindale Minute, documenting our successful rookie year. They highlighted how we overcame the obstacle of having to work out of a science classroom, which we didn’t allow to hold us back! Retro5ive is very active in the Melvindale community, and being featured in the city’s newspaper helped spread knowledge about our team even further.
Wayne County School Board Presentation
Retro5ive was extremely thankful for the opportunity to present in front of the Wayne County School Board. During this presentation, the whole team summarized what FIRST is, what our team has accomplished, and how robotics has positively impacted our academic lives. After the presentation, the team answered any leftover questions and had the chance to show off our competitive robot!
Santa's Secret Workshop
Retro5ive had lots of fun helping build Santa’s Secret Workshop. Our members volunteered for several weekends to help assemble and position the set. It was a wonderful opportunity to work with the community and make new connections. The team helped kids have a magical experience seeing Santa.