A Guide to the LigerBots, 2O19 FIRST Robotics Team 2877 - Destination: Deep Space
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LigerBots
D e s t i n at i o n : Deep S pa c e
A Gui de to t h e L ig er Bo t s, 2O19
FI RST Rob ot ic s T e am 2 87 7
N e w to n N o rt h a n d S o u t h H i g h S c h o o l s
How I Use My LigerBots Skills Out in the World
“I learned how to fix pretty much “I have been able to apply for
everything in my house, including my internships and to volunteer for
car headlights. My neighbor who’s an nonprofits based on the leadership
artist hired me for a summer job to skills I learned as co-CMO and on
LigerBots
drill holes precisely to hang pictures on the strategy council.”
Puma Level Sponsors his walls.” –AJ Chau
– Samy Rosenberg
D e s“It in
learned a lot a tabout
of stuff i ographic
n: Deep S pa c e
“LigerBots has helped me with
design—what looks good and what advocating for myself, especially with
doesn’t, the importance of double teachers and with my peers in group
checking everything, and how projects. It has also helped me make
printing works, which actually helped friends with people I would never
me to fix my own printer. It also have been friends with before, like a
A G ui de t o t h e L i g er Bo t s, 2O19
helped me do a better job checking for girl in the year below me in one of my
errors on my math tests.” classes at school.”
NEWTON –FFrank
I R ST
Liu R ob ot i c s T e am 2 87 7 Lobel
– Maya
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Equity & Excellence
N e w to n N o rt h a n d S o u t h H i g h S c h o o l s
“I have learned how to problem-solve “ Using the skills I have learned from
Panther Level Sponsors in different situations, and when building field elements, I was able to
I’m stuck, I don’t immediately ask visualize and design what I needed to
for help. I have learned how to tutor build for my brother’s cello racks.”
empowstudios myself.”
Tech | Arts | Play – Daniel Feng
– Michelle Yu
McVittie
Tax Advisors, LLC
“In LigerBots, a lot of things I have “I learned about communication,
learned in physics have physical which is really important for school,
Cheetah Level Sponsors
representations, which helps me extracurricular activities, sports,
understand the things I’m learning in college, jobs, and family stuff. If
my classroom.” everyone’s not on the same page,
– Yonik Rasamat nothing’s going to get done.”
– Ethan Schindler
41
Contents
Chairman’s Award Submission Executive Summary n 6
LigerBots Lead in Project-Based Learning n 8
LigerBots Train Our Team Members n 10
LigerBots Train Team Members in Many Skills 12
LigerBots Manage Our Projects n 13
We Build a New 120 Pound Robot Every Year n 14
LigerBots Design Process 16
“Thanos,” the LigerBots 2019 Robot n 18
LigerBots Compete n 20
Our Strategy Council Helps Us Improve n 22
LigerBots Win the Safety Animation Contest n 23
LigerBots FIRST Awards n 24
LigerBots Promote FIRST LEGO League n 26
LigerBots FLL Maker Fairs Get Girls into STEM 28
LigerBots Maker Fairs Are Engaging 30
At FLL LigerBots Fill Many Roles 31
LigerBots Engage with Our Community n 32
LigerBots Connect with Our Government n 34
LigerBots Do Outreach Everywhere! n 36
Outreach Flyer 38
STEM Activity Flyer: 3D Printer 40
STEM Activity Flyer: Dart Paper Airplane 41
STEM Activity Flyer: Brushbots 42
STEM Activity Flyer: Slime 44
STEM Activity Flyer: Binary Bracelets 45
STEM Activity Flyer: Origami Double Pyramid 46
LigerBots Are in the Public Media n 48
LigerBots Create Our Own Media n 50
LigerBots Connect with Our Sponsors n 52
Fundraising Infographic 53
Sponsor Recognition Levels Flyer 54
LigerBots Fund Our Activities n 56
LigerBots Do Special Projects: Donut Data n 58
LigerBots Student Leadership Structure n 60
Executive Summary
Q: Briefly describe the impact of the FIRST Q: Describe examples of how your team members act as
program on team participants in the last 5 years. role models and inspire other FIRST team members to
A: Members develop technical and non-technical skills emulate
31
through project-based learning. We inspire team mem- A: The LigerBots put our brains to work to create
bers towards STEM careers, with a 100% graduation a #PowerUp themed Safety Animation Video that
rate and over 71% of last year’s graduates choosing was shown at every FRC competition worldwide.
outreach events STEM majors. In addition to STEM skills, our 80 This year, we created a Strategy Alliance within New
2018 20 team members also learn life skills. One student says,
“LigerBots has helped me be more confident in social
England FRC, helping other teams scout and deter-
mine alliance pick strategy. We also offered advice and
preseason
situations and academic settings… I’ve also learned support to FRC teams worldwide by posting white
training projects
how to be more of an advocate for myself and for the papers on student-led projects that have over 600
2018 combined downloads, as well as face-to-face advice on
things I’m passionate about.”
our processes.
Q: Describe the impact of the FIRST program on your
1600
community within the last 5 years Q: Team’s initiatives to help start or form other FIRST
A: The LigerBots are dedicated to creating STEM Robotics Competition teams.
FLL event attendees opportunities throughout our community. We host A: We assist many teams by showing them our pro-
or participate in an average of 29 events a year around cess, posting our work online, and being active in FRC
2018
Newton and Boston, each with STEM activities. In forums. One team in Virginia, FRC 5804, said, “the
addition to our FLL competitions, with over 1,000 code your team posted on GitHub has been incredibly
visitors and participants a year, we host an annual FLL helpful in determining the direction we want to go
info night that encourages team creation and men- this year with our programming.” In addition, we col-
tored an FLL team. One FLL parent said, “thanks for laborated with Team 6740 from Israel, and we plan to
inspiring my kids, they want to be just like you.” have periodic conversations to discuss current projects.
We also assisted Record Robotics with fundraising and
Q: Describe the team’s innovative or creative methods operational advice.
to spread the FIRST message that are effective, scalable,
sustainable, and creative Q: Describe the team’s initiatives to help start or form
A: Since 2015, we have hosted two annual FLL com- other FIRST teams (including FIRST LEGO League Jr.,
petitions along with a public STEM fair, inviting local FIRST LEGO League, & FIRST Tech Challenge).
companies, nonprofits, and sponsors to take part. One A: The LigerBots host an FLL info night annually in
organization said our STEAM fair had the “highest June, with a targeted goal of expanding FIRST and
foot traffic experienced outside of downtown Boston.” STEM opportunities in Newton. At the event, we
It also helped 50 Girl Scouts earn a STEAM patch, have an informational meeting for parents where we
while teaching them about FIRST programs and offer- describe FIRST. We also engage children in STEAM
ings. In addition, we created activity sheets for parents activities, including marshmallow towers, brushbots,
and teachers to use, and we have a strong media and binary beads, and robot demos done by both us and
LigerBots at the FIRST Robotics world championship in Detroit, April 2018. community-engagement program. local FLL teams. In 2018, we encouraged the creation
5
of three FLL teams and one FLL Jr. team, and we Schools and Newton Schools Foundation support us Q: Briefly describe other matters of interest to the FIRST learning in Newton. Attending and participating in
brought 20 families into the FIRST pipeline. also. judges, if any. advocacy events helps us facilitate change on the na-
A: Over the summer, team members traveled to Wash- tional level and complements the work we do locally.
Q: Describe the team’s initiatives on assisting other Q: Describe the strength of your partnership with your
ington, D.C. to be a part of the FIRST NAC event. We are registered to attend future advocacy events,
FIRST teams (including FIRST LEGO League Jr., sponsors with within the last five years.
This experience further advanced us towards our goal: and we encourage other teams to join us in advocating
FIRST LEGO League, & FIRST Tech Challenge) with A: We strengthen sponsor relations through monthly
to become the recognized leaders of project-based for STEM education.
progressing through the FIRST program. correspondence and attendance at their events. Each
A: Coinciding with our FLL competitions, we’ve month, the LigerBots write a newsletter detailing
held STEM fairs in which vendors come and run progress and inviting sponsors to our events. Sponsors
STEM-related booths. During these events, we held a also demoed themselves at our FLL STEM fair. One
robot zoo where other FRC teams showed off their ro- example is being invited to be tour guides and demo
bots. We mentored the Day Dragons and helped them our robot at Newton Inspires, as a result of being
with their presentation skills. Along with mentoring sponsored by Newton Public Schools. The event en-
the Day Dragons, we assisted the Supernovas where courages local experts to share their passions, with over
we taught them the endgame process. We taught oth- 500 local residents.
er FIRST teams such as team 246 how to scout.
Q: For FIRST Robotics Competition teams older than 5
Q: Describe how your team works with other FIRST years, briefly describe your team’s broader impact from its
teams to serve as mentors to younger or less experienced inception.
FIRST teams (including FIRST LEGO League Jr., A: Since 2008, we have grown exponentially as a
FIRST LEGO League, & FIRST Tech Challenge). team boosting skills, mentors, and funding to become
stronger and more influential in FIRST. We raised
A: In addition to hosting an FLL info night to create
fundraising capabilities, engaged the community via
more teams, we mentor and offer support to any local
social media, and invited elected officials to events.
team who reaches out to us. This past FLL season, we
We established a mini-grant program to fund student
mentored a new team, #38823, and coached #31761
ideas. This year we focused on strategy and data anal-
on their presentation skills. We are also helping FRC
ysis. We invited a computational biologist to lecture
team 246 recover after mentorship changes, coaching
and mentor on data and analytics. Team members
them on outreach skills, strategy, and scouting. We
now use R and Python for data analysis.
also added rookie team 7822 to our strategy alliance,
teaching them how to scout. We use FTC kits for
Q: Describe how your team would explain what FIRST
internal preseason training.
is to someone who has never heard of it.
Q: Describe your Corporate/University Sponsors. A: FIRST is a worldwide organization that is dedicat-
A: We raised $19,000 in support from 19 sponsors ed to spreading STEM through robotics competitions,
by emphasizing our role in STEM education for both transforming the lives of millions of students. From as
team members and the community. These include early as Kindergarten, FIRST provides the opportu-
Google, Raytheon, PTC, BAE Systems, SharkNinja, nity for hands-on education and expands by progres-
Bose, and Ameresco, as well as local sponsors Village sively making challenges harder. FRC is a high school
Bank, GameWright, You-do-it Electronics, McVittie program that advances technical skills as well as critical
Tax, Tanowitz Law and Honda Village. First-time marketing skills. To us, FIRST is an opportunity to
sponsors included Belmont Saving, PatientsLikeMe, turn professional, expanding career options and alter- While a referee watches, the LigerBots 2019 robot,Thanos, places a Hatch Panel on the high
AcuityBio, and Empow Studios. Newton Public natives exponentially. Port of the Rocket Ship during the South Eastern Mass. District Event, in March 2019.
6 7
LigerBots Lead in Project-Based Learning
“Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of
such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”
— John Dewey, nineteenth-century education reformer
Little girls scramble for position around a small to encourage students to become the next generation
table, frantically grabbing at pieces of colorful of leaders and thinkers. We seek to change the way
origami paper. Settling in, they look up at the Liger- students learn; our vision is to transform education
Bot instructor, papers in their outstretched hands. through project-based learning.
They quickly follow the first few instructions, but then Our goal is to become the recognized leader of
things go awry. One little girl shoves her paper at the project-based learning in Newton, MA. To do that,
instructor, pleading for help. Others crease the papers we have created a system that uses hands-on projects
in random places. During this commotion, one girl to help team members build a strong and diverse set
scrunches up her face in thought. She clearly does not of skills. We then leverage those skills to advocate for
understand all the steps and even has to take a new project-based learning in the community by building
sheet to start over. She patiently goes step by step, a strong core of sponsors, educating the community,
folding with great care, and finally completing the and establishing a sustainable FIRST LEGO League
project. Then, she turns to her friends to help them. pipeline into our team. We share what we do in order
By the end of the session, all of the girls hold up their to build and maintain the long-term strength of our
creations in triumph. From a single piece of paper, team, foster a love for STEM and encourage proj-
they learned the process of engineering. ect-based learning at home.
As a team, we do more than build a robot; we strive
Row 1: STEM advocacy—LigerBot delivers aTEDxBeaconStreet talk about FIRST as project based learning; STEM training—electrical
mentor and CTO solder an electrical test bench. Row 2: sponsor relations—LigerBots outside Fowler High Precision after a successful
sponsorship pitch; team outreach—LigerBot talks about the team to middle school students. Row 3: FIRST leadership— participants at
Carolyn helps Girl Scouts do origami at the 2018 FLL Eastern MA Championship maker fair. the 2018 FLL Eastern MA Championship.
8 9
LigerBots Train Our Team Members
Our commitment to project-based learning because they understand the wide variety of ways to
starts as soon as students join the team. We contribute to the team. For instance, our CMO recent-
spend our preseason teaching rookies core skills ly learned to bend and mold polycarbonate to make
through hands-on activities. As a rookie, our current a hinge, and our students who usually concentrate on
chief technical officer had trouble learning how to put technical projects regularly help with team fundraising
together an FRC control system. To help, a mentor and blog posts.
trained her with a virtual, magnetic electrical system. As a result of our training projects we have pub-
“We did it every day until I understood how to do it,” lished two white papers on Chief Delphi that have
she said. “Once I had nailed that, he let me play with received thousands of views and downloads: one on
the wiring on a previous year’s robot.” Now our CTO robot vision and another on the measurement of
uses that same technique to teach current students and display latency. We have three more papers pending:
helps her parents with small electrical projects. one on molding polycarbonate, another on making
We start training each year by breaking rookies into an electrical test bench, and a third on making revers-
groups; then, using previous FIRST games as a guide, ible bumper covers. We also share our robot code on
we have students create game strategy and designs to GitHub and regularly take part in online forums.
teach them the engineering process. Each group then LigerBots have a 100% graduation rate, and of the
presents its designs to the rest of the team, which helps students that graduated in 2016 and 2017, 100% were
build presentation skills, as well as exposing the team admitted to 4-year colleges and 67% are pursuing
to diverse engineering approaches. STEM-based majors. The other 33% cite our training
Our broad preseason training has also resulted in in leadership, writing, presentation and business skills
more diverse tasks being tackled by team members as benefits that they apply to their studies.
Row 1: learning to solder; watching previous years’ games to learn strategy. Row 2: doing a PB&J robot coding exercise; learning
A LigerBot learns how to use a saw to cut the electrical board that goes on our “roadkill” photography for a STEM activity flyer; learning shop safety. Row 3: making practice bumpers; taking apart the old robot. Row 4:
test robot. improving public speaking; making an FTC robot; practicing the bending of metal sheets using heat.
10 11
LigerBots Train Team Members in Many Skills LigerBots Manage Our Projects
■■ Shop safety. Keeping our fingers and eyes intact ■■ Technical writing. Writing white papers, using ϮͬϳͬϮϬϭϵ ƌŝǀĞ
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find measurements. FIRST, to use whenever someone asks us about
the team. Practicing it in pairs and presenting to
■■ Use of machines. Using the band saw, hand
the team.
drill, mill, and drill press.
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Grant writing and sponsorship. Writing
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Precision manufacturing. Improving our
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formal grant proposals to potential sponsors and
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ability to cut and mill pieces of metal precisely
approaching sponsors that don’t have a formal
into specific parts
grant process.
■■ First Tech Challenge (FTC ) robot. Building two
■■ Writing for publicity. Writing for different A flame chart showing the state of chassis development tasks on Feb. 7, 2019.
FTC drive trains and a game piece manipulator
formats: blog posts, sponsor relations, media
for programming, mechanical, and electrical
relations, government relations, and FIRST
practice. The LigerBots use detailed project manage-
awards applications. Using tools such as
■■ Programming. Coding with last year’s code and ment for all team members. With the help of
MailChimp.
Arduinos, as well as the basics of vision tracking. a mentor with expertise in project management we
■■ Leading an outreach event. Organizing the
■■ Electrical. Soldering, crimping, building have developed a way to track and control our busi-
logistics for a LigerBots robot demonstration
prototype boards, CADing electrical layouts, ness projects and robot manufacturing progress during
and outreach table.
and learning electrical physics principles. the six-week robot build season. We create Trello and
■■ Photography. Composing photographs and flame chart schedules for our various technical projects
■■ Hands-on training using previous robots.
using the “exposure triangle,” as an aid to and an active, hands-on system using sticky notes and
Functioning of the different mechanisms of
documenting team projects. Using Flickr to a white board right in the machine shop. Students sign
previous robots, learned by taking apart or
keep all of our photos organized. up for individual tasks and follow them through from
repairing our robots from past seasons.
■■ Video editing: Shooting and editing video for “not started,” to “in progress” to “done,” moving the
■■ H-drive project. Using newly-learned skills to
FIRST award submissions, robot videos and sticky notes for their tasks to different columns on the
re-build an H drive.
other special projects. board as they progress. A column for “blocked” proj-
■■ Custom gearboxes. Creating custom gearboxes
■■ Graphic design. Creating graphical documents ects helps us clear our bottlenecks. This system helps
in order to practice use of the band saw, us finish our robot earlier than in previous seasons so
for team marketing and publicity, using Adobe
machining on the CNC, and assembling parts. that we can go on to testing it before we must “bag”
Creative Suite.
■■ Game Strategy. Watching robot games online and store it until competition. LigerBots students
■■ Sewing. Cutting and sewing soft materials to
and at live events prior to our own competitions transfer their new sophistication in planning projects
prepare for making bags and robot bumpers in
to learn how to evaluate robots for their to their academic work and other extracurricular activ-
build season.
potential as alliance partners when we compete. ities, and by teaching it to others.
Alex marks a task as “blocked” on the team whiteboard.
12 13
We Build a New 12 O -Pound Robot Every Year
All of the LigerBots fall training in engineering second one can continue to be improved right up until
and marketing skills pays off during the most competition. Thirty pounds of this second robot may
exciting and demanding part of our year, the six-week be transferred to the competition robot right before
robot build season. a tournament. In 2019 we kept our ball roller-intake
The LigerBots start the build season by including and our polycarbonate arms “out of the bag.”
the entire team in a “three-day design” process right Having a second robot also allows our drive team
after the new FIRST Robotics game is announced in to practice driving the robot and manipulating game
early January. Engineering concepts and game strate- pieces into the field element goals after the first robot
gy that emerge from our three-day design groups are is in the bag.
reconciled by leaders of our mechanical, electrical and During build season our marketing and awards
software build groups and a final product is designed. groups are just as busy as the engineers. We finalize
Then we order our wood, metal, plastic, and cloth sponsor acquisition for the competition season and
materials and set to work in the shop at Newton South write and design website pages and printed materials,
High School building our robots and mockups of the including this booklet, that recognize the sponsors.
game field elements. Outreach also continues. Our awards group prepares a
We now build two robots thanks to recent increased written submission and an oral presentation to com-
sponsorship of the team. FIRST Robotics rules say pete for the Chairman’s Award, which goes to the team
that the competition robot must be sealed into a giant at each competition that best exemplifies the princi-
plastic bag at the end of the six-week build, but the ples of FIRST Robotics.
2019 build season.This page, left to right: Using a paper playing field mockup and coins to work out game strategy during three-day
design; discussing how our robot could hold both the “cargo” ball and the “hatch” disk game piece at one time. Opposite page, row 1:
testing a “cargo” ball intake mechanism; testing the cargo intake after adding a metal bar to help the ball stay in the arms. Row 2:
successful test of “hatch” disk intake and retention on the “roadkill” test robot; testing robot vision code on the intake mechanism; building
the “rocket” field element mockup. Row 3: assembling the elevator; adding the electrical board; bagging the robot on the last day of the
build season. Row 4: drilling holes in an aluminum sheet for the robot perimeter; cutting a piece of polycarbonate for new robot arms;
testing “Cargo” game piece placement by the robot on the last day of build, as a student takes shots for our robot reveal video.
14 15
iterative robot Design
LigerBots
info@ligerbots.org ■ www.ligerbots.org ■
■ FIRST Robotics Team 2877
#FRC2877 ■
®
The LigerBots ■ @ligerbots ■ @ligerbots_frc2877
Three-Day Design
■■ After kickoff, LigerBots break into small groups for a three-day design process
●■ Day 1: Groups analyze game rules to determine the most effective strategy
Day 2: Groups brainstorm mechanisms for a potential robot design
LigerBots DesigN process ●■
●■ Day 3: Groups present their strategy analysis and robot designs to the whole
team
Parallel work allows the team to find many options, and to avoid prematurely
preseason training and improvements ■■
converging on a design solution. The small group setting encourages new members
to express their ideas Game strategy session during Three-Day Design,
Hands-on Projects using coins and a schematic of the playing field to
LigerBots preseason training starts with projects that get new members working mock up the game
■■
Robot Design and CAD
hands-on in the shop, with robot components, as fast as possible. In fall 2018 ■■ LigerBots discuss the different designs created in the three day design process,
LigerBots ran a total of 19 training sessions in all team skill areas, including 10 in
filtering the designs until the team reaches a consensus on the goals for the robot
technical areas. Examples from 2018 include:
■■ Robot strategy determines our priorities. The robot is built to best fit our strategy,
●■ Building two FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robot drive trains and a game piece
rather than the strategy changing to accommodate the robot we build
manipulator for practice in programming, mechanical, and electrical
■■ Students design and CAD the robot structure and begin mechanism design in the
●■ Creating custom gearboxes to practice use of the bandsaw, machining on the
first weekend of build season, so that chassis construction can begin immediately
CNC mill, and assembling of parts
LigerBots co-head coach teaches a rookie to solder ■■ Mechanism groups begin detailed design and CAD of each mechanism
●■ Writing software, using the previous year’s robot code and Arduinos, and
■■ CAD model of the entire robot is completed as quickly and thoroughly as possible A LigerBot presents his group’s Three-Day Design
instruction in the basics of vision tracking
strategy to the team
Game Analysis Prototyping and Continuous Improvement
■■ Prototypes are built of materials as identical as possible to materials used in the
■■ Veteran LigerBots choose videos of matches from the previous several seasons of
final mechanisms, allowing more realistic test results
robot games. Team members, especially rookies, are invited to watch these videos in
a group and think about robot design and game strategy before the new build season ■■ LigerBots continue to test, redesign, and prototype mechanisms. The 2018 intake
had nine iterations
Improvements to Manufacturing Processes
Two Robots
■■ Installing a digital readout on one of our school’s manual mills, improving the
precision of manufactured parts
■■ The team builds two robots in parallel so they are as identical as possible
■■ Restoring an idle CNC mill in one of our schools, creating the capability to make
■■ To improve quality control, the team does not decide which robot will be the
precision metal parts LigerBots veteran teaches a rookie to use the CNC competition robot until close to the end of the build season LigerBots work with a mentor to create a test
mill to precisely drill a hole in a metal sheet platform for arms that will hold a gamepiece ball
■■ Investing in a crossfeed table and crossfeed vice for use on the drill press, increasing
■■ The second robot allows LigerBots to continue to do driver practice, autonomous
the speed and accuracy of drilling holes mode testing, and mechanism refinement right up until competition
■■ Using the team-built CNC router to quickly and precisely cut polycarbonate sheets for prototypes and final mechanisms
Project Management
■■ Using 3D printing to manufacture complex parts suitable for solving many design problems ■■ Mechanism groups with individual student leaders form during build season,
■■ Using the electrical test bench to run motors on prototypes quickly and flexibly with minimal setup and no battery allowing every LigerBot to concentrate on and feel ownership for one part of the
■■ Learning how to accurately bend aluminum and heat treat it such that it does not lose its strength robot. Fluidity of groups ensures the team’s needs are always filled
■■ A new project management system, centered around a Kanban/Scrum task board,
allows students to find tasks that need completing and track progress
■■ The task board is supplemented by daily progress meetings and weekly group
integration meetings, ensuring that the team is working towards its goals and that
McVittie
Tax Advisors, LLC no group is falling behind LigerBots task board
Design process flyer (front). Design process flyer (back).
16 17Features of Thanos
LigerBots
LigerBots
FIRSTRobotics
FIRST RoboticsTeam
®
Team2877
® 2877
140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459
info@ligerbots.org
#FRC2877 n
n www.ligerbots.org
The LigerBots
Drive Train
■■ Custom, 80/20-framed drive train is powered by six powerful brushless NEO motors, four
@ligerbots n @ligerbots_frc2877
Newton for moving forward and backward and two in the middle of the robot for strafing.
NewtonNorth
Northand
andSouth
SouthHigh
HighSchools
Schools
■■ Custom, CNC-machined drive gearboxes are designed to accommodate reversion
to CIM-style motors if necessary.
Thanos ■■ Side gearboxes have an “over-the-wheel” design, allowing better utilization of
robot volume. Middle gearbox can pivot, allowing the wheels to clear the ground.
Elevator Two-Function Claw ■■ Easily accessible fold-out electronics board allows for easy debugging.
Super-sturdy, fast, and stable elevator is A polycarbonate claw attached to the
designed for precise and rapid placement elevator has two “fingers” that close to Elevator
of game pieces into all Ports. It is custom acquire the Hatch through its center ■■ Construction, inspired by the popular Vex Robotics design, includes more than 30 custom
built with two different aluminum opening, to release the Hatch Panel once aluminum plates for elevator rollers, precision milled and stronger than the plates sold by Vex.
extrusions: 2” x 1” 80/20, and it is placed in the Hatch, and to grasp
■■ Outermost and carriage stages are built with 80/20 T-slot aluminium extrusion, whose slots
2” x 1” rectangular box tube. the Cargo and place it into the Port once
allow mounting of objects without drilling holes.
Instead of stacking toward it is rolled in by the intake. The claw’s
the front of the robot, the fingers open to hold the Hatch Panel ■■ Winch is powered by four 775pro motors with 6.75:1 gearing for quick lifting of the elevator.
stages are stacked inward to securely by the perimeter of its center
minimize the torque applied opening for transport. The claw can Cargo Intake
to the elevator. pivot up to allow game pieces to be ■■ Polycarb plate-and-standoff construction allows intake to absorb hits from other
placed in the top Hatch or Port. robots or field elements.
Cargo intake
■■ Intake pneumatically deploys from a folded position inside the robot to allow for
Over-the-bumper, full-width Cargo Cameras and Vision stowage at the beginning of a match, when entering the opposing side, or when
intake swiftly acquires the Cargo The robot has two stationary manipulating Hatch Panels.
without necessitating precision alignment.
cameras on the side of the
The intake folds up and in to allow the claw to
elevator. Both cameras feed
acquire the Hatch Panel and to place the Hatch Two-function Claw
images of the field to the
Panel and Cargo into the Hatch and Port. A single game piece manipulator for both game pieces allows for maneuverability and fast elevator raise time.
driver. The lower camera ■■
feeds images of the Two “fingers” pneumatically open to acquire Cargo, and then close to hold the Cargo securely. Fingers close for
Drive Train ■■
reflective-tape vision insertion into the center opening of the Hatch Panel to acquire it, and then open to
The robot uses a hold the Hatch Panel securely.
target to the vision
holonomic H drive,
software, which ■■ Durable and flexible polycarb plate-and-standoff claw is stowed within the frame
which allows for
allows the robot code to perimeter at the start of the match to comply with game rules.
nimble movement in any
direction for quick alignment, automatically drive and align
■■ Passive fins tilt the claw at the top of the elevator to reach the highest Port.
by use of omni wheels, whose to the Port or Hatch with the push
of one button. ■■ “Kicker piston” inside claw ejects the Cargo into Ports at high speed.
perimeters are made up of smaller
cylinders that can turn in a direction
perpendicular to the wheels’ axis of rotation.
Cameras and Vision
The LigerBots 2019 robot, “Thanos,” is named for the Marvel Comics villain,
whose name means “immortal” in Greek. ■■ Two Logitech C930e cameras on the side of the elevator detect targets and enhance driver vision.
■■ Precise info resulting from the target tracking software is sent directly to the RoboRio through
NetworkTables, allowing the robot code to run a simultaneous three-PID autonomous routine to
swiftly and accurately align to the target. Camera streams are sent directly to the driver station.
McVittie ■■ Vision processing is done using OpenCV with Python on an ODROID-XU4 coprocessor for a
Tax Advisors, LLC custom system that allows for maximum image processing and transmitting efficiency.
2019 robot flyer (front). 2019 robot flyer (back).LigerBots Compete
FIRST Robotics competitions are the big alliance from scoring. Everyone on our team sits in the
payoff for all of the LigerBots training and stands to cheer on our robot. Our scouts take notes on
build season work. At these competitions our robot every team’s robot performance so that we can choose
performance, our driving skill and strategy, our awards partner teams wisely if we become an alliance captain
preparation, and our marketing efforts are all put to during the playoffs.
the test. We enter two district (first tier) events every Our pit technicians repair our robot between
year. When we do well at these events we go on to matches when something breaks. We also lend tools
compete at the New England District Championship, and materials and repair the robots of other teams in
and, if we do well there, we go to the FIRST World the FIRST spirit of “coopertition.”
Championship in Detroit. The LigerBots have made it During competitions team members stand in our
to the World Championship four times in our first ten repair pit and talk to FIRST judges about the robot
years. In 2018 we finished sixth out of 68 teams in our and about our team’s organization and activities.
division and advanced to the division semifinals before LigerBots also give a formal presentation to compete
falling to the eventual world champion alliance. for the prestigious Chairman’s Award, which sends
FIRST Robotics qualfiying matches are played by the winning team automatically to the next level of
two randomly selected alliances of three teams each, compeition no matter how its robot performs. Every
on a playing field about the size of a basketball court. year our efforts have resulted in at least one award for
We have a different alliance for each qualifying match. our team, for a total of 26 awards during our first ten
Our alliance drive teams guide our robots around the years.
field to earn points cooperatively and to keep the other
2018 competition season. This page, left to right: FIRST official waves the LigerBots flag before a match; LigerBots cheering in the stands.
Opposite page: Row 1: The competition field at the NE District Championship; placing the robot on the field. Row 2: The Red alliance,
ready to start a match; 2018 robot, Chronos, placing a “cube” on the “scale” for points; repairing the robot between matches. Row 3: The
drive team in the pit; talking to the public in the pit; talking to FIRST judges; Row 4: receiving the Engineering Inspiration award.
20 21Our Strategy Council Helps Us Improve
Scouting Sheet 2877, 157, 246, 7822, 6731 logo
Sandstorm Teleop
Match # Hab (lvl) Cargo Ship Low Mid High Dropped Cargo Ship Low Mid High Dropped Penalties Scout Name
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Computational biologist Noam Shoresh from the Broad Institute talks to the LigerBots about data analysis.
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This year, the LigerBots are piloting a new sub- ies watch and analyze previous season robot games.
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group, the strategy council. Strategy encom- We focus on analyzing robot types and game strategy,
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passes communication with other FRC teams, data and on predicting game outcomes in both qualitative
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analysis, game strategy, design strategy, and scouting. and quantitative ways. When the game is announced
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teams to collect data on other teams by observing documents, including a comprehensive guide to build
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matches and then sharing the data among ourselves. season for rookies, and critical numbers that save our
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student engineers time and energy during the robot
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ance partners when we make it to tournament playoffs The strategy council also focuses on data analysis, Comments -
as an alliance captain. using R and Python. We have been mentored in this
Scouting requires six people in the stands for the process by Noam Shoresh, a computational biologist
entire competition. By scouting together, each team from the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA. We share
needs to contribute fewer members. Sitting in the our results with our FRC scouting partners and have
stands together as we scout and sharing our data also posted the blank scouting sheet we developed for our
allow us to grow our connections with other teams. alliance on FRC’s Chief Delphi and on our scouting
We also use our analyses of game strategy, rules, and alliance’s Discord, two of the forums that FRC teams
design to help train our team members. During the use to exchange information. One of our ongoing Clockwise from top: Raw data detailing the performance of 2018 New England district FIRST Robotics teams: Python code written to
preseason we train rookies to understand the basics of projects is to rank the New England teams using anal- determine an offensive power rating (OPR) for each team; plot of the OPR of New England FRC teams vs. their ranking at the 2018
an FRC game, and how we operate as a team. Rook- ysis of statistics like offensive power ratings (OPR). FIRST World Championship; logo and scouting sheet for our 2019 joint scouting project with four other FRC teams.
22 23LigerBots Win the Safety Animation Contest LigerBots FIRST Awards
Year Event Award The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award that FIRST
offers, honoring the team that best displays the values and goals of
2018 Worldwide competition Safety Animation FIRST, while also being a role model for other teams. In 2015 the
In 2018 the LigerBots won our first internation- “It took considerable work,” said Vivek, “but I’m Greater Boston District Engineering Inspiration LigerBots won the Chairman’s Award at both the district and NE
al award—first place in the world-wide FIRST North Shore District Imagery Championship levels, which qualified the team to compete at the FRC
excited about what it means for our team. It got me
Robotics Safety Animation competition. Our winning 2017 Rhode Island District Entrepreneurship World Championship in St. Louis. Judges chose the LigerBots for the
thinking about STEM vs STEAM and how the ‘A’ Art
WPI District Gracious Professionalism work the team did to spread the message of STEM around Newton
video was shown at many FIRST Robotics competi- factor ties into the work we do.” and beyond, through education and outreach.
tions to about half a million spectators over the 2018 We are proud of the work the team did to win this 2016 New England Championship Innovation in Control
season. These animated videos combine an educational WPI District Entrepreneurship The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding
prestigious award and hope that our video will have a
Boston District Innovation in Control success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a
message about safety with creative art and imagery. lasting impact on the community by encouraging safe
2015 New England Championship Chairman’s team’s school and community. The LigerBots won this award in 2018
practices. for the team’s extensive STEM outreach efforts.
How We Made the Video Northeastern District Competition Finalist
The public can subscribe to our YouTube channel to UMass Dartmouth District Chairman’s
In order to follow the retro-1980s arcade theme of the The Entrepreneurship Award recognizes a team that has
see this video and all the rest of our team videos.
2014 Northeastern District Competition Finalist developed a comprehensive business plan to scope, manage, and
2018 FRC challenge, we developed a story that com-
Spirit achieve team objectives. Judges chose the LigerBots in 2016 and
bined safety principles with elements of our very own WPI District Competition Winner 2017 for the team’s work in expanding professional relationships with
video game. We designed characters and scenery and Creativity sponsors, acquiring new business mentors, creating a comprehensive
brought them to life with 3D animation. Finally, we business plan, and developing a detailed student leadership structure.
2013 Boston Regional Creativity
added arcade-style music and sound effects along with
2012 Boston Regional Gracious Professionalism The Safety Animation Award is the result of a world-wide
a voice-over narration by a LigerBots team member to competition, and is given to the team that produces the best 40-second
WPI Regional Gracious Professionalism
accompany the visuals. animated video that combines an educational message about shop
2011 WPI Regional Website safety with creative art and imagery. The LigerBots’ winning 2018
Rising to the Animation Challenge Dean’s List Finalist video was shown internationally at many FRC competitions.
According to LigerBots’ animator Vivek, the biggest 2010 Boston Regional Team Spirit
The Innovation in Control Award celebrates an innovative
WPI Regional Imagery
challenge was fitting the story into only 40 seconds— control system or application of control components—electrical,
the maximum time allowed by rule. The deadline also 2009 Hartford Regional Rookie Inspiration mechanical, or software—to provide unique machine functions. The
Highest Rookie Seed LigerBots won at both the district and NE Championship levels in
provided an obstacle, forcing us to make fast decisions
Boston Regional Rookie All-Star 2016 for its robot’s adjustable-tipped ball-shooting mechanism and
and to start the animation process early. LigerBots YouTube channel. Highest Rookie Seed vision-control software.
24 25LigerBots Promote FIRST LEGO League
In 2015, the LigerBots hosted an FLL com- tive. One parent commented, “I just wanted to thank
petition and STEM fair. Feedback from FLL everyone for all their hard work making this a success.
coaches was so positive that New England FIRST My son will definitely be back, and our younger son is
asked us to host the Eastern Massachusetts Champion- likely to participate.” Another parent said, “Every sin-
ship. Since 2016, the team has organized, coordinated, gle LigerBot was helpful and friendly. They did a great
and staffed two competitions each academic year. This job of representing their team, their teachers, and their
year, 23 FLL teams took part in the Newton Qualifier, school. Well done!” One even thanked us for inspiring
and 48 competed in the Championship. All events his kids stating “they want to be just like you.”
include robots from other FIRST programs. Every year, we host an FLL info night in June to en-
In addition to our work, we also had staffing help courage the creation of more teams in Newton. We set
from FRC 246 Overclocked, Newton South High up engaging STEAM activities, including brushbots,
School’s Science Team, and the Newton North High LEGO towers, and binary beads, while the parents
School Computer Programming Club, helping build listen to an overview presentation about FIRST. This
relationships with other STEM programs both inside year, we facilitated the creation of three teams, as well
and outside of FIRST. as an FLL Jr. team, bringing more than 20 families
We measure the success of our FLL competitions in into the FIRST pipeline.
two ways: the income the competitions generate and In 2018 three of our students helped mentor a
the feedback from those who come. Our FLL compe- rookie FLL team, which was created at our FLL info
titions attract about 1500 people annually, and help night. The SuperNovas are a team of six Newton stu-
us earn $4,000 from a combination of food sales and dents. The mentors taught the basics of programming,
team registrations. Our feedback from coaches, par- robot design, essay writing, and public speaking.
ents, students, and volunteers is overwhelmingly posi-
LigerBots mentor a presentation by the Day Dragons FLL team. Visitors make crayons at the LigerBots FLL Info Night.
Row 1: Astronettes compete; the awards ceremony. Row 2: limbo line before an awards ceremony; LigerBots with mentee FLL team the
SuperNovas. Row 3: parents snap their FLL teams in front of the LigerBots/FLL backdrop.
26 27LigerBots FLL Maker Fairs Get Girls into STEM
All of our FLL competitions include a STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Exhibitors at Our Recent FLL Maker Fairs
Math) maker fair that brings in outside organiza- ■■ Brandeis Maker Lab
tions to share their knowledge with the community. ■■ Code Ninjas
In 2018, the Newton Girl Scouts used our event to
■■ Einstein’s Workshop
replace their canceled STEAM fair, spending time
learning STEAM skills through activities like origami, ■■ Empow Studios
binary beads, handling 3D printed molecules, and ■■ Gamewright
“coding” our PB&J robot. Deb Terman, the face of ■■ Hatch Makerspace
Newton Girl Scouts, said, “The K-5 girls had a lot of ■■ IRobot
fun at the STEAM event. They were engrossed in the
■■ Johnson String Instrument
individual activities.” We trained LigerBots mem-
■■ Made@MassChallenge
bers to teach the activities to students, and our team
learned how to share their STEAM knowledge in a ■■ Massachusetts National Guard
way that everyone could understand. ■■ MassBay Community College STEM
Working with the Girl Scouts is part of our overall ■■ Microsoft
effort to achieve gender balance in STEM. In 2017,
■■ New Art Center
our team ran a Girls + Tools event, which inspired
■■ New England Model Engineering Society
local middle and high school girls to get more in-
volved in engineering opportunities. Each attendee ■■ New England Optical Association of America
milled a smiley face out of metal stock, then wired and ■■ New England R2 Builders
soldered LED lights. The LigerBots also helped put ■■ Newton Free Library
together a day-long Women In STEM event at New- ■■ NuVu
ton North High School, which celebrated the accom-
■■ Orimagi.io
plishments of women in STEM fields with the goal
of inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers. Two of our ■■ Prospect Hill Forge
mentors gave presentations about their professional ■■ Rise Robotics
work, and five of our team members took a hands-on ■■ Robosall
approach to organize the event. ■■ Russian School of Math
■■ SharkNinja
■■ Students for a Greener World
■■ Woobo.io
■■ LigerBots 3D printing
■■ LigerBots origami
■■ LigerBots binary beads
Displaying a smiley face made at the ■■ LigerBots PB&J robot Girl Scouts at the FLL E. MA Championship maker fair with: Row 1: Kevin Osborne, Maker; Gamewright. Row 2: Code Ninjas;
LigerBots Girls + Tools event. Newton Free Library. Row 3: Code Ninjas; LigerBots slime. Row 4: Johnson String Instrument; Hatch Makerspace.
28 29LigerBots Maker Fairs are Engaging At FLL, LigerBots Fill Many Roles
Row 1: Brandeis MakerLab, LigerBots binary bracelets; LigerBots 3D printer. Row 2: LigerBots PB&J robot (top); Code Ninjas (bottom); Row 1: judging for FLL Jr.; refereeing. Row 2: selling food; staffing safety desk and lost and found. Row 3: MCing; resettting game table;
LigerBots slime; R2 Builders. Row 3: LigerBots origami; Einstein’s Workshop. running audio/visual.
30 31LigerBots Engage with Our Community
The LigerBots participate in outreach events in per year, and we are on track to meet that standard
order to accomplish three goals: to spread the this year. These events range from bigger community
messages of FIRST; to promote project-based learn- events like Newtonville Village Day to smaller gather-
ing; and to give team members experience in sharing ings like Cub Scout meetings.
STEM ideas with the community. Students learn to We also regularly participate in the Newton Inspires
communicate the messages of FIRST by practicing event, the annual fundraiser for the Newton Schools
giving speeches and presenting them at outreach Foundation (NSF). Entrepreneurs, lawyers, and en-
events. gineers in our community come to the event to learn
We take our STEM activities for children and about the growth and innovation going on in Newton.
informational flyers about these activities to outreach We use this to maintain a strong relationship with
events. These include brush bots, origami, paper air- NSF, our parent organization and one of our biggest
planes, slime, binary beads and PB&J robot. supporters.
Since 2015, we have averaged 29 outreach events
2018 Newton Memorial Day parade.
Row 1: Memorial Day flag planting on veterans’ graves at the Newton Cemetery; Newton Free Library STEAM event. Row 2:
Newtonville Village Day; Newton Inspires. Row 3: Boston STEM Fair; Cub Scouts meeting.
32 33LigerBots Connect with Our Government
We connect regularly with government offi- the country. We lobbied the offices of Senator Warren,
cials to advocate for our team and for STEM Senator Markey, Representative Capuano, and directly
learning. talked to Representative Kennedy. Congress passed
Before the Newton mayoral election in 2016 the both acts after deliberation. Since most educational
LigerBots workshop became a stop on every candi- funding happens at the state level, we plan to attend a
date’s campaign trail. During this process Newton state advocacy event, hosted by the FRC team 1735.
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller became a LigerBots fan, Our relationships are strong enough that elected
driving our robot at outreach events and inviting us to officials share in our successes. When we informed
her office to celebrate a successful season. We regularly the Newton school committee of our FIRST safety
email with members of the city council and also take animation award, committee member Matthew Miller
part in community events such as the annual Memori- responded: “Your video was well done, and the execu-
al Day parade. tion was insanely creative. I have always been a huge
In the summer of 2018 we worked with 25 teams LigerBots fan. Keep on making Newton proud. You
in the FIRST National Advocacy Conference in all ROCK!!!” From training to FLL, everything we
Washington D.C., advocating for the reauthorization embark on ensures that the LigerBots remain the core
of the Perkins Act, as well as for fully funding the allo- of project-based learning in Newton and an advocate
cation for the Every Student Succeeds Act. These pro- for STEM throughout the country.
vide funding for STEM education in schools around
Row 1: with MA representative Joe Kennedy, III at the 2018 National STEM Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.. Row 2: with
Mass. representative Ruth Balser at the Massachusetts State House during the FIRST 2019 Southern New England Advocacy Conference;
FIRST Robotics teams a the 2018 National STEM Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. The at the 2017 Boston March for Science. Row 3: Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker gets an explanation the LigerBots pit during a
LigerBots are at the left in the middle of the group. Boston University FRC competition; Newton mayor Ruthanne Fuller drives the LigerBots robot at the Just Think Expo.
34 35LigerBots Do Outreach Everywhere!
Events with LigerBots sponsors Community events
■■ Whole Foods/Newton Schools Foundation ■■ Newtonville and Newton Highlands village days
fundraiser ■■ Newton Inspires
■■ PTC LiveWorx ■■ Newton/Needham Innovation District maker
■■ Robo Madness, at Google space talks
■■ Yogurt Beach store ■■ Cambridge Carnival and Robot Zoo
■■ Sponsor pitch at Fowler High Precision ■■ Newton Festival of the Arts
■■ Boston STEM Fair
LigerBots and FLL events ■■ Forest Avenue Cleanup
■■ LigerBots Open House ■■ Flag planting at Newton Veterans Memorial
■■ Girls + Tools Night ■■ Newton Memorial Day parade
■■ FLL Info Night ■■ Tour de Newton
■■ Newton FLL Qualifier + maker fair ■■ Newton Free Library STEAM Expo
■■ Eastern MA FLL Championship + maker fair ■■ Newton Free Library Think Big girls’ STEM event
■■ Field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry ■■ Talk at a retirement community
■■ Field trip to studio of maker Todd Cahill ■■ Demo at Cub Scout meeting
■■ Girl Scouts STEAM patch workshop
School events
■■ Assisting Newton’s Law of Mass FTC team
■■ Just Think! Expo
■■ Mentoring FRC 6740, Glue Gun & Glitter
■■ Newton North and South club fairs
■■ Cub Scouts Visit
■■ Women in STEM Day at Newton North
■■ Newton South High School parents’ night Tech events
■■ Newton South science department open house ■■ Booz Allen Ideas Festival
■■ Bowen Elementary School science day ■■ Electronic Components Industry Association
■■ Cabot Elementary School Invention Invasion events
■■ Weston Field School robot demo ■■ MA STEM Summit
■■ Robotica
Government Relations ■■ Robo Madness
■■ FIRST National Advocacy Conference ■■ From Global to Local MIT education conference
■■ Southern New England Advocacy Conference ■■ MIT IDE Inclusive Innovation Awards
■■ Photo op with the mayor ■■ RoboExpo at Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua NH
■■ Mayoral Candidate visits to our workshop ■■ MIT Blueprint high school hackathon Row 1: visit to the Field School of Weston; Newtonville Village Day. Row 2: Cambridge Science Festival; MIT IDE Inclusive Innovation
Awards. Row 3: Tour de Newton; Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) conference.
36 37LigerBots
LigerBots
FIRST Robotics Team 2877
140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459
info@ligerbots.org n www.ligerbots.org
LigerBots
LigerBots
FIRST Robotics Team 2877
®
140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459
info@ligerbots.org
#FRC2877
n www.ligerbots.org
The LigerBots
FIRST Robotics Team 2877
®
#FRC2877 The LigerBots
FIRST Robotics Team 2877
n n
® ®
Newton North and South High Schools @ligerbots n @ligerbots_frc2877 Newton North and South High Schools @ligerbots n @ligerbots_frc2877
Newton North and South High Schools Newton North and South High Schools
About the LigerBots Be a LigerBot, Mentor a LigerBot
T he LigerBots is FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team LigerBots do intensive technical and outreach training each fall,
Who is on Our Team
2877. FIRST (“For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and and have six weeks each winter to build a 120-lb. robot that can
n We are composed of students from Newton North and Newton
Technology”) is an international organizer of competitive compete in the spring in a new game designed by FIRST each
South high schools
robotics events whose mission is to lead students toward year. The LigerBots pride ourselves on our dedicated student
n We have adult mentors and coaches, including parents of team
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership infrastructure and variety of mentors, who include
scientists, engineers, programmers, marketers, publicists, members and other STEM and business professionals. We
(STEM). The LigerBots is a non-profit organization that provides
are always looking for adult mentors who have expertise in
students with the skills they need to prepare for the jobs of financial consultants, project managers, and graphic designers.
mechanical and electrical engineering, programming, marketing,
the future and become the next generation of engineers and The team’s ability to offer these opportunities to high school
publicity, finance, project management, and graphics
business people. The team combines students from Newton students is dependent on its generous sponsors. The LigerBots
North and Newton South high schools to spread the message is always looking for new sponsors and donors to help sustain
Our Role in FIRST Robotics
of STEM education in the community and help students develop the team. Major sponsors are identified on all LigerBots
n We design and build a robot with a different function every year,
their problem solving and critical thinking skills while they materials, including marketing documents, the competition pit, LigerBot and mentor work on 2018 mock playing field elements
and participate in two to four FIRST competitions
pursue their interests in business and robotics. the website, and the robot itself.
n We have made it four times to the FIRST World Championship, FIRST Opportunities for Younger Students
including in 2018 n FIRST Lego League (FLL) is robotics for students in grades
Sponsor or donate to the LigerBots: info@ligerbots.org, www.ligerbots.org
n We organize the Newton FLL Qualifier and the Eastern MA FLL 4 – 8. Email: fll@ligerbots.org
State Championship for elementary and middle school students, n FIRST Lego League Jr. is for students in grades 1 – 3.
and we mentor FLL teams Website: www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org
Be a LigerBot, mentor a LigerBot: info@ligerbots.org, www.ligerbots.org
The Engineering and Business Skills We Learn
n Mechanical engineering n Entrepreneurship n Event planning
n Electrical engineering n Finance n Public speaking
n Programming n Time management n Graphic design
n Computer Aided Design n Leadership n Writing
n Gracious Professionalism n Teamwork n Mentorship
The Rhythm of Our Year
n Fall and late spring: Pre- and post-season. We plan projects, do team-
building, technical training, fundraising and STEM outreach to our
The LigerBots at the 2018 FIRST World Championship in Detroit
community. Team meetings at Newton South High on Mondays 6:30
Puma and Panther level sponsors Puma and Panther level sponsors p.m., and at Newton North High on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
n Winter: “Build” season. We design and build a robot over a six-week
The 2018 drive team with Chronos, the 2018 robot
period, Jan. – Feb. Meetings Mon. – Sat. at Newton South High School
n Spring: Competition season. We compete against other FIRST teams
McVittie
Tax Advisors, LLC with our robot, weekends in March and April.
Outreach flyer (front). Outreach flyer (back).
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