FAQ

General Team Information

  1. What is FIRST?

    For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. For more infornmation, check out the FIRST website, www.usfirst.org

     

  2. What resources does it take to run this program?

    The FIRST team 2826 Wave Robotics program has seen a lot of success due to the enthusiasm the students bring to the program, but there are many unseen facets to our success as well. We are grateful for the group of mentors in our program who have donated priceless time to teach the students valuable industry level skills for their future endeavors. They and students’ parents also keep our small militia of hungry teenagers fed throughout the week, which is a commendable feat that we thank them for. Finally, we are appreciative to the companies and sponsors who have supported through monetary and material donations throughout the years.

  3. Where is this program located?

    Wave Robotics' base of operations runs out of the technology department at Tipler Middle School. 

  4. Who are your sponsors?

    Here's a list of our current sponsors

  5. What is the game challenge for this year?

    Current challenge can be found on the FIRST website

  6. What were the game challenges in previous years?

    Archive of previous challenges

  7. What competitions does Wave go to?

    Each year Wave attends two regional competitions.  One of them is the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee.  Previous years, the Wave has competed in Duluth, Minnesota and Chicago.

  8. What awards has Wave Robotics won at competition?

    A list of awards and photos of previous robots can be found here

  9. What schools are your students associated with?

    FIRST Team 2826 Wave Robotics is comprised of students in Winnebago County who are from the high schools of Omro, Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, Valley Christian, Neenah, and Lourdes.

  10. What companies are your mentors associated with?

    The mentors on our team come from a myriad of companies to share their industry skill with our students. These include various engineering companies such as Marvel, Oshkosh Corporation, Plexus, Pierce Manufacturing, Square D, Triangle. We also have the opportunity to utilize the skill of mentors in non-engineering companies such as Badgerland Financial, and the City of Oshkosh.

  11. How can students sign up for this program?

    Wave is always looking for new members, whether it be students, parents, mentors, sponsors, or volunteers. Every member of the team is vitally important to its success.

    Students register through the Oshkosh Recreation Department in September.  Sign up information for Robotics students is available in the Oshkosh Recreation Department fall guide or at http://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/aboutus/Wave_Robotics.cfm

    Additional information is available by contacting Tyler Olds at TylerOlds@WaveRobotics.com.

  12. What expectations do you have of your students and mentors?

    TEAM CREDO

    The function of this Team Credo is two-fold. First, it delineates the necessary personal character traits of all Wave Robotics team members. Second, it identifies those things that are of great importance to the Wave Robotics organization as a whole that will lead to a cohesive team and a successful season.Wave Robotics team members will exhibit the following traits at all times:

    Respectful

    • of all students on our team.

    • of the engineers and teachers on our team.

    • of the sponsors who graciously provide us with the resources we need.

    • of yourself, both as an individual and as a member of this team.

    • of the team as a whole and its image as a veteran member of the FIRST Robotics community.

    Well Behaved

    • by acting in a safe and appropriate manner at all times.

    • by exhibiting a positive reflection of yourself, the team, FIRST, OASD, UCS and our sponsors.

    Dedicated

    • to learning as much as possible while a member of the team.

    • to creativity in every aspect of your involvement with FIRST and the team.

    • to teamwork by providing ideas and contributing time and energy to the success of the team.

    • to having fun in all that we do as a team.

    Enthusiastic

    • by being motivated to excel on the team while encouraging others to be the best they canbbe.

    • by being supportive of the team as a whole both at home and at competitions.

    • by spreading the word about FIRST and all that it has to offer.

    Inspired

    • about science, technology, and engineering.

    • about learning and sharing our knowledge with others.

  13. How can I get involved with the team as a mentor?

    We have paid great attention to ensure that our students will receive appropriate mentoring. Maintaining the high caliber mentors we have is critical. If you are interested in becoming a mentor to Wave Robotic students, please contact Tyler Olds at TylerOlds@WaveRobotics.com

  14. Who do I contact for sponsorship or contributions?

    Thank you for showing interest in Wave Robotics! Please contact our Sponsorship Coordinator, wavesponsor@gmail.com

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Team Member Information

  1. What days does the Wave Robotics team meet?

    During the pre-season (September-December), the Wave Robotics program meets every Tuesday at Tipler Middle School in the technology department at 5:30.  Meetings typically take place for 30 minutes and is followed by instruction and training time until approximately 8:00pm.

    During the build season:  Wave Robotics continues its Tuesday meetings and offers additional work days six days a week (dark on Wednesdays).  Students are required to attend Tuesday meetings and two other days of the build week as assigned by their mentors.

  2. What are the Wave's expectations regarding academics?

    All students are required to maintain a minimum C average in all academic courses in order to participate in competitions.

    It is important to note that when participating in competitions throughout the season, students will be missing at least two days of school per regional compeition and are responsible for meeting with teachers to determine what assignments the students will be missing.

  3. What are the subteams and what are their responsibilities?

    Chairman's

     This team uses pictures, video, and any other form of documentation of everything the team does in order to write an essay, create a presentation, as well as shoot and edit a presentation video for the Chairman's award which is the most prestigious award in competition.

    Chassis

    This team is responsible for the drive train as well as all metal framing for the robot.

    Electrical

    This team is responsible for the wiring and the battery operation of the robot.

    Intake and delivery

    This team is responsible for designing on CADD as well as building a system of collecting game pieces.

    Marketing

    This team is responsible for the team's image. This encompasses graphics for the robot, designing products for fundraising or exchange with other competing teams. Marketing and Chairman's also do the majority of public speaking on behalf of Wave.

    Product Integration

    This team is responsible for making sure that all other subteam's building aspects assemble appropriately together.

    Software and programing

    This team is responsible for writing program code to run particular aspects of the robot such as the shooter mechanism or for communication of the robot as a whole.

    Scoring

    This team is responsible for designing on CADD and building a system to shoot, or another method of scoring according to game requirements, game pieces.

    Scouting

    This team is responsible for creating a method of recording the statistics of other competing teams during competition. These statistics are used to decide what team Wave will go into alliance with.

    ** All teams have an adult mentor as well as one or two student leaders.

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Catch the Wave