Why is there a selection process for Westlake FTC. Hasn't Westlake Robotics always allowed anyone who wanted to on a team to be on one?
Until 2015, Westlake FTC was able to offer team positions to any Freshman or Sophomore interested in robotics. In 2015, however, we reached our limit on the number of teams and students we can support. Given that interest in Westlake FTC is still increasing, we have had to add a selection process to ensure that we are supporting those students who are the best fit for our program.
I am a parent and wish to help. What can I do to help?
Only two Westlake Robotics coaches are Eanes ISD employees. All other mentors are volunteers (most are parents but some are from industry), so parent involvement is crucial and mandatory to this program. If you would like to mentor, please send email to [email protected]. For more information on other volunteer parent positions, please visit the "Files and Forms" tab on this website and download the Parent Roles file.
Do you have to have robotics experience to be on a team?
You do not have to have robotics experience to be on a team. You do need a desire to learn and participate in team activities.
Does each team member have a different role on the team?
It is up to each team to decide how to divide up the work, but here is a list of possible team roles.
Builder
Programmer
Marketing
SolidWorks expert
Do I have to be in the robotics class to be on a team?
You do not have to be in the robotics class to be on a team.
If I am enrolled in robotics class, do I need to go through the application process?
If you are enrolled in Invention and Innovation - FTC Focus (TC354C) or Robotics Engineering - FTC Focus (TC355), you are guaranteed a spot on a team. You still need to attend a FTC Boot Camp and fill out an application, so you can be placed on the appropriate team. If you are enrolled in Invention and Innovation (TC354), you are not guaranteed a spot and need to apply and attend a FTC Boot Camp.
What if I want to do other activities and also FTC Team?
Many FTC students have other activities they are involved in. It can work out, just know that there likely will be some conflicts in schedules. Successful teamwork requires team members who are consistently present to participate in the team activities. Students should review their extra-curricular commitments carefully before making decisions. The FTC season starts at the beginning of each school each year and goes through final competitions. Depending on how a team qualifies for advancing competitions - a team’s competition season could finish by end of February or extend until the end of April. FTC Outreach activities continue after competition season ends and some FTC events are held in the summer.
What will I learn in Robotics?
Robotics is a team experience. You will learn important life skills that will serve you as you progress through high school, college and beyond. You will learn how to work with fellow team members, approximately 9-11 students and two adult mentors. There will be opportunities to design/build/program/test and/or drive a robot designed to meet specific challenges. Communication skills are developed through working with team members and mentors, written engineering notebooks and oral presentations. Another important aspect of FTC is Community Outreach. This is where students participate in community events that encourage STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
How does a team advance in a competition?
Awards are an important part of the competition. As you can see from the advancement list below, award winners take half of the advancement slots.
1. Inspire Award Winner
2. Winning Alliance Captain
3. Inspire Award 2nd place
4. Winning Alliance, 1st Team selected
5. Inspire Award 3rd place
6. Winning Alliance, 2nd Team selected
7. Think Award Winner
8. Finalist Alliance Captain
9. Connect Award Winner
10. Finalist Alliance, 1st Team selected
11. Rockwell Collins Innovate Award Winner
12. Finalist Alliance, 2nd Team selected etc.
For a complete list and a description of the award criteria, please download the game manual, which can be found on the "Applications and Forms" page or from the FIRST website -
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game
When and how are team rosters determined?
Team rosters will be decided by the FTC Board.
Can I request to be placed on the same team with my friend?
No, you cannot request to be on a specific team or to be on a team with a friend. Team rosters will be decided by the FTC Board.
What is Westlake FTC doing over the summer?
Westlake FTC will be busy over the summer. We will have a number of activities to both continue our work on outreach and prepare ourselves for the new season. This will include work on learning how to use the new FTC control system technology and development of more rigorous FTC student training tools. Maybe we’ll even throw in some SolidWorks mentoring for good measure.
How much does it cost to be in Westlake FTC Robotics?
The participation fee is $300 plus the cost of travel to competitions outside of Austin. Families may apply for a hardship waiver from WESTA to help with costs.
How much time does Westlake FTC Robotics take?
Teams meet a minimum of 3 times a week totally around 7 hours per week. The weeks prior to a competition usually involve a bigger time commitment.
Until 2015, Westlake FTC was able to offer team positions to any Freshman or Sophomore interested in robotics. In 2015, however, we reached our limit on the number of teams and students we can support. Given that interest in Westlake FTC is still increasing, we have had to add a selection process to ensure that we are supporting those students who are the best fit for our program.
I am a parent and wish to help. What can I do to help?
Only two Westlake Robotics coaches are Eanes ISD employees. All other mentors are volunteers (most are parents but some are from industry), so parent involvement is crucial and mandatory to this program. If you would like to mentor, please send email to [email protected]. For more information on other volunteer parent positions, please visit the "Files and Forms" tab on this website and download the Parent Roles file.
Do you have to have robotics experience to be on a team?
You do not have to have robotics experience to be on a team. You do need a desire to learn and participate in team activities.
Does each team member have a different role on the team?
It is up to each team to decide how to divide up the work, but here is a list of possible team roles.
Builder
Programmer
Marketing
SolidWorks expert
Do I have to be in the robotics class to be on a team?
You do not have to be in the robotics class to be on a team.
If I am enrolled in robotics class, do I need to go through the application process?
If you are enrolled in Invention and Innovation - FTC Focus (TC354C) or Robotics Engineering - FTC Focus (TC355), you are guaranteed a spot on a team. You still need to attend a FTC Boot Camp and fill out an application, so you can be placed on the appropriate team. If you are enrolled in Invention and Innovation (TC354), you are not guaranteed a spot and need to apply and attend a FTC Boot Camp.
What if I want to do other activities and also FTC Team?
Many FTC students have other activities they are involved in. It can work out, just know that there likely will be some conflicts in schedules. Successful teamwork requires team members who are consistently present to participate in the team activities. Students should review their extra-curricular commitments carefully before making decisions. The FTC season starts at the beginning of each school each year and goes through final competitions. Depending on how a team qualifies for advancing competitions - a team’s competition season could finish by end of February or extend until the end of April. FTC Outreach activities continue after competition season ends and some FTC events are held in the summer.
What will I learn in Robotics?
Robotics is a team experience. You will learn important life skills that will serve you as you progress through high school, college and beyond. You will learn how to work with fellow team members, approximately 9-11 students and two adult mentors. There will be opportunities to design/build/program/test and/or drive a robot designed to meet specific challenges. Communication skills are developed through working with team members and mentors, written engineering notebooks and oral presentations. Another important aspect of FTC is Community Outreach. This is where students participate in community events that encourage STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
How does a team advance in a competition?
Awards are an important part of the competition. As you can see from the advancement list below, award winners take half of the advancement slots.
1. Inspire Award Winner
2. Winning Alliance Captain
3. Inspire Award 2nd place
4. Winning Alliance, 1st Team selected
5. Inspire Award 3rd place
6. Winning Alliance, 2nd Team selected
7. Think Award Winner
8. Finalist Alliance Captain
9. Connect Award Winner
10. Finalist Alliance, 1st Team selected
11. Rockwell Collins Innovate Award Winner
12. Finalist Alliance, 2nd Team selected etc.
For a complete list and a description of the award criteria, please download the game manual, which can be found on the "Applications and Forms" page or from the FIRST website -
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game
When and how are team rosters determined?
Team rosters will be decided by the FTC Board.
Can I request to be placed on the same team with my friend?
No, you cannot request to be on a specific team or to be on a team with a friend. Team rosters will be decided by the FTC Board.
What is Westlake FTC doing over the summer?
Westlake FTC will be busy over the summer. We will have a number of activities to both continue our work on outreach and prepare ourselves for the new season. This will include work on learning how to use the new FTC control system technology and development of more rigorous FTC student training tools. Maybe we’ll even throw in some SolidWorks mentoring for good measure.
How much does it cost to be in Westlake FTC Robotics?
The participation fee is $300 plus the cost of travel to competitions outside of Austin. Families may apply for a hardship waiver from WESTA to help with costs.
How much time does Westlake FTC Robotics take?
Teams meet a minimum of 3 times a week totally around 7 hours per week. The weeks prior to a competition usually involve a bigger time commitment.