Recognizing the lack of any one organization that strongly promotes science and technology in Central Virginia, Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics desires to fill that gap. At Charlottesville/Albemarle Robotics we encourage students and mentors to share and apply knowledge of engineering, business, and leadership skills through a fun, hands-on experience. As a team, members work toward a common goal of designing, building, marketing, and operating a competitive robot in a business-like environment while supporting the ideals of FIRST (usfirst.org).
Since 2001 Team 619 has successfully participated annually in the NASA/VCU FIRST Regional Competition in Richmond, Virginia. At the conclusion of the annual regional competitions FIRST also conducts a Championship event that involves over 350 teams. Team 619 has not, to date, participated in this event. Team 619 is eligible to participate in the 2006 Championship. Team 619 intends to participate in the 2006 Championship and has set as a goal participation in the 2006 Championship which will be held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics follows one FIRST principle strongly, the idea of "Gracious Professionalism."
Below is a quote from the FIRST website:
"Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended. In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity."
Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics has, since 2002, been directed to nurturing the enthusiastic pursuit of hands-on science and engineering among the youth of Charlottesville and Albemarle. This is accomplished through fielding teams each year in the FIRST Robotics competitions.
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High school students participate in the FIRST competition in January through March. What is there to say – robots, kids, music. A rock festival for robots.
But before the festival comes the designing and building of the robot to meet the specifications and challenges set out by FIRST. From kick-off to shipping we have six short weeks to get a robot up and running. It is intense; it is challenging and most of all – its fun!
During non-competition periods we offer technology-oriented workshops and programs with the help of mentors from the community. Examples of workshops would be drive-train design; pneumatic systems; programming and animation.
Our programs accommodate students with a wide array of interests, including computer programming, web design, electrical and mechanical engineering, media relations, organization, robot construction.
The organization is student-run, under the oversight of a board of directors. As such, there are also opportunities for students to experience aspects of running the club as a business, which include budgeting, writing, photography, fund raising, planning and marketing.
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The Board of Directors consists of 15 members who have fully embraced the concepts and benefits associated with Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics and FIRST.
The board assists the Steering Committee in the development of business plans, policy objectives, and business strategy. The board also ensure effective organizational planning, sees that team resources are managed effectively and that the team meets regulatory requirements that apply.
This board monitors the team's performance in light of the mission, vision, goals, and strategies, as articulated in the business plan. Directors are expected to follow developments that affect the team.
The Board of Directors brings a breadth of skills, experience and diversity to the team with members who have backgrounds and contacts that differ from - but complement - those of the Steering Committee and other directors. As the organization grows and changes, this board also will evolve to meet changing needs and circumstances.
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Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics Steering Committee
Charlottesville Albemarle Robotics is lead by a Steering Committee consisting of the adult leader of each of the six work groups, and the student leader or "captain" of each work group.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Articulate overall mission, vision, and strategy for Team 619
- Determine sponsor/partner/university/school relationships
- Determine overall policies which impact more that one workgroup
- Receive reports from each work group and oversee the efforts and coordination of the overall organization to ensure alignment with the overall mission, vision, and goals of the team
- Resolve conflicts regarding strategy, allocation of resources, etc.
