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INTRODUCTION: For Team Castilleja Gatorbotics, FIRST is a unique opportunity to meet students who share our interest in science and technology and to challenge ourselves by learning new skills and knowledge that we cannot learn in the classroom. Participating in this competition is a confidence-building experience that hones our abilities both to work as a team and to think independently. We grow comfortable utilizing our current skills, but are also anxious to develop new talents, all of which is possible through involvement with the FIRST competition. The multi-faceted programs FIRST has put together attract students of all types and abilities to our robotics team. With special recognition for outstanding animations, designs, websites, and business techniques, FIRST allows each person to find a niche within the team, from programming to team spirit. As a result, we have been able to successfully spread enthusiasm for science and technology to a broad variety of individuals within our community in past seasons and will continue to do so this season. TEAM GOALS: The team aspires to reach the goals laid out by FIRST and to provide opportunites for students to immerse themselves in science and technology. As such, Gatorbotics has put together the following team goals: 1. To expand awareness and exposure to robotics and engineering for all students at Castilleja and in the community at large. 2. To share our knowledge and enthusiasm for science and technology with less privileged elementary school children. 3. To share our experience with other FIRST teams through contact, alliances, and possible mentorship. 4. To expand the leadership and teamwork skills of participating students by remaining a student led venture. 5. To increase the breadth and depth of student knowledge of technology, science, and engineering by successfully creating a functional, competitive robot. 6. To create student awareness of the range of skills required for a successful entrepreneurial venture: finance, marketing, design, and implementation. 7. To be role models for women in engineering and to be an exceptional team in the FIRST community at the regional and national levels. 8. To create opportunities to inspire and motivate other women to get involved in robotics, technology, and science and continue to positively represent women in the sciences. 9. To conduct ourselves with gracious professionalism, dedication, and resolve and with the "Five C's", courtesy, conscience, courage, charity, and character. 10. To be an exemplary team in the FIRST community and nationwide in our conduct, our robot's construction and performance, our competitive results, our team working abilities, our knowledge, and our overall team dynamic. |