NOLA ROBOTICS 2017 BUILDING FUND
Donation protected
NOLABOTS ( TEAM #5953) began last year when a 14 year old kid asked his parents if he could build robots. Learning that most FRC teams in the Greater New Orleans were affiliated with specific schools and that there weren't that many teams in existence in our local area, we asked FRC about their interest in a homeschool / community team that would welcome any kid. They gave us an enthusiastic "YES"!
With nothing more than a bunch of eager kids with no technical skills and parents who were willing to do anything to see us succeed, we began our rookie season. DOW gave us a grant for our first year and a couple of local businesses gave us protective gear and a place to build.
However, the one thing we needed were people to teach the kids the necessary skills. With a few dedicated parents and some volunteers (not an engineer or mechanic in the bunch) we set out on a challenging 6 week quest that would stretch everyone involved and forge us into a family. The kids had to be taught gracious professionalism, safety, tool competency, basic design, group dynamics, computer skills, perseverance, and that it is okay to fail if you learn from it.
When we began, the kids had no technical skills whatsoever and didn't even know each other, but they soon started utilizing power tools, applying the math and physics they had been learning in school, and programming.
The competition was humbling but exhilarating. At one point the announcer actually uttered the words "Team 5953 needs a miracle!" because we did. However, with help, we recovered and went on to win the JUDGES AWARD for our team's enthusiasm, perseverance, and ability to compete at such a high level with such a low budget. Our robot, affectionately known as REDO, consisted not only of metal but of plywood and string as well.
While it was fun to discover just what we could do with a very limited budget and resources, we would like to be able to compete at a higher level this year. We ask you to please consider providing assistance in meeting our goal of $5000, which would allow us to purchase badly needed tools and equipment to create another award-winning robot. Hopefully, we can manage to build it without the string and the wood this time.
Since we are not eligible for rookie grants this year we are $5000 down from last year's meager budget.
Our building season has begun and we only have 6 weeks until competition. The only limits our kids have are the resources available to them.
Thank you for your support!
With nothing more than a bunch of eager kids with no technical skills and parents who were willing to do anything to see us succeed, we began our rookie season. DOW gave us a grant for our first year and a couple of local businesses gave us protective gear and a place to build.
However, the one thing we needed were people to teach the kids the necessary skills. With a few dedicated parents and some volunteers (not an engineer or mechanic in the bunch) we set out on a challenging 6 week quest that would stretch everyone involved and forge us into a family. The kids had to be taught gracious professionalism, safety, tool competency, basic design, group dynamics, computer skills, perseverance, and that it is okay to fail if you learn from it.
When we began, the kids had no technical skills whatsoever and didn't even know each other, but they soon started utilizing power tools, applying the math and physics they had been learning in school, and programming.
The competition was humbling but exhilarating. At one point the announcer actually uttered the words "Team 5953 needs a miracle!" because we did. However, with help, we recovered and went on to win the JUDGES AWARD for our team's enthusiasm, perseverance, and ability to compete at such a high level with such a low budget. Our robot, affectionately known as REDO, consisted not only of metal but of plywood and string as well.
While it was fun to discover just what we could do with a very limited budget and resources, we would like to be able to compete at a higher level this year. We ask you to please consider providing assistance in meeting our goal of $5000, which would allow us to purchase badly needed tools and equipment to create another award-winning robot. Hopefully, we can manage to build it without the string and the wood this time.
Since we are not eligible for rookie grants this year we are $5000 down from last year's meager budget.
Our building season has begun and we only have 6 weeks until competition. The only limits our kids have are the resources available to them.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michael Pelle
Organizer
Metairie, LA
Ryan Rockefeller
Beneficiary