2007 TE Session Proposal

The RoboJackets is a student organization at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization was formed eight years ago to provide students with a way to learn about engineering using robotics as the medium to provide hands on experience. The organization participates in several robotic competitions around the nation and has created several outreach programs. The biggest of these outreach programs is the Georgia Tech (GT) FIRST group which was started six years ago by two undergraduate students who had participated in the FIRST program in high school. FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a program designed to educate and increase interest among high school students in design, technology, math, and engineering. The GT FIRST team has adopted this mission and has expanded on it to provide a local program that has created a strong partnership and conduit between elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mentorship occurs on every level, with the university, alongside engineers from local companies, mentoring the high schools and the high schools in turn providing mentorship for the middle and elementary schools. The Technology Enrichment (TE) sessions, held annually on the Georgia Tech campus for area high schools, play a key role in the success of this program. Each fall, these sessions are run for approximately 10 weeks. The high schools transport their students to Georgia Tech once a week for a 2 to 3 hour period in the afternoon and are presented with interactive topics in engineering and robotics. These topics include, but are not limited to design methodologies, electronics, physics, mechanics, and computer programming. Each session is accompanied by a hands on activity related to the current week’s topic. Over the years we have had, on average, 15 high schools from the Atlanta area attend these sessions and many of these schools are now actively involved with mentoring their local middle and elementary schools using the FIRST Lego Mindstorm program. For the GT FIRST program to continue its success and to provide the resources need to run the Technology Enrichment sessions funding is needed. The estimated budget for items critical to the success of running the TE sessions for fall 2007 is $17,000. A more detailed breakdown of this cost, as well as, more detailed information on this program is included with this packet. Thank you in advanced for considering our proposal and if you have any question please feel free to contact us for more information.

Sincerely,

Brian Guerriero – FIRST team leader, RoboJackets VP Email: bguerriero@gmail.com Phone: 513-404-2310

Roman Shtylman – FIRST team leader, RoboJackets Treasurer

Stefan Posey – FIRST team leader, RoboJackets PR

History of GT FIRST Group The Georgia Tech FIRST group was started in the fall of 2000 by undergraduate students Jeremy Roberts and Anne Bergeron. The group contacted area high schools about the opportunity of participating on a FIRST team. George Washington Carver High School replied with an interest in starting a team at the Atlanta vocational high school. The GT FIRST team helped the high school acquire funds and provided mentoring and expertise during the building phase. The team, Prowling Panthers team number 608, participated in the NASA Langley regional in Richmond Virginia where it received a Judges’ Award for team dynamics as well as the National competition in Orlando, Florida. In the fall of 2001, the GT FIRST group paired up with Roswell High School from Roswell, Georgia and formed team Chimera, number 832. During the fall, the Georgia Tech students provided training sessions to teach the high schools students not only about the competition and it’s components but also basic engineering, physics, and electronics principles. The GT FIRST group again provided facilities for robot building, and expertise during the building phase of the project. The team participated in the Kennedy Space Center Regional where it received the Rookie All-Star award and the Nationals at Epcot Center in Orlando, Fl where it received the National Rookie All-Star award out of 108 total rookie teams. The following year, 2002, marked a critical point in the development of GT FIRST. In addition to directly mentoring students from Roswell High school the Georgia Tech students expanded their effort to include Wheeler High school located in Marietta, Georgia. This year also marked the official beginning of what are now called Technology Enrichment (TE) sessions. Over a 10 week period 11 high schools participated once a week in sessions lasting 2 hours. These sessions covered topics such as design methodologies, electronics, physics, mechanics, programming control systems, as well as gave the students a glimpse into different disciplines of engineering. Each session was linked to a hands-on activity designed to enhance the understanding of that week’s subject matter. Armed with the knowledge and experience gained from these sessions both of the high schools we mentored went on to do very well in the FIRST Robotics program beginning January 2003 . The GT/Wheeler High School team participated in the local Peachtree Regional and received the regional Rookie-All Star award, while the GT/Roswell team was presented with the regional Entrepreneurship award. In 2003, with Roswell High School making a decision to work with mentors closer to their area, the GT FIRST group focused its energy on improving on the current Technology Enrichment sessions and continuing to directly mentor Wheeler High School. The sessions grew from 11 high schools to 17 high schools and over 130 students. In January 2004, the GT/Wheeler High School team once again participated in the local Peachtree Regional and faired extremely well. The team won the two highest awards at the regional, Regional Champions and Regional Chairman’s.

In fall of 2004, the Technology Enrichment Sessions were restructured to meet the more advanced technical needs of the growing FIRST veteran community in Georgia. The sessions were broken into a full day seminar for rookie teams and new members and a 6 week program for more in-depth technical training. This program culminated to a final challenge in which robots were autonomously run through an obstacle course. The sessions resulted in the creation of 3 autonomously controlled drive bases. The team also competed at the Peachtree Regional and won the Regional Chairman’s award once again. Need some stuff here about 2005 and 2006 FIRST competitions.

After several years of success working with Wheeler High School and setting the foundation for a lasting strong team, the Georgia Tech RoboJackets parted ways and have opted to make another strong impact on local students by starting a new FRC team with Tech High School here in Atlanta. The RoboJackets and Tech High students and faculty are enthusiastic about this new team attending the TE Sessions and optimistic about a new team of young engineers learning and achieving in FIRST.

GT FIRST Technology Enrichment Session Impact

“Although we are fairly new to FIRST and have only attended the enrichment sessions for one year, we have found the enrichment sessions to be very motivating. Several of our younger students, who had not been exposed to applied science and technology, became very interested in science and engineering when they realized how much fun it could be. They were also able to work more confidently with the older students after attending the sessions. Two of our team graduates are now attending Georgia Tech. Our students are very eager to get started with this year's program. Their enthusiasm has generated a new interest in science and technology and our group is growing. Thank you for all you do in offering these sessions.” Anita Patterson Collins Hill High School

“The enrichment sessions were very helpful in three ways: they acted as a catalyst to shape and bond our new team members and give them a routine; they awakened an interest in areas that the students had not ever considered such as pneumatics, electronics, and programming; and they gave a face to the University giving most of our students their first ever lecture hall experience.” Andrew Wilson Atlanta International School

“We traveled 2 1/2 hours each way to attend the enrichment sessions. They were a tremendous help to us in getting familiar with FIRST and robotics in general. The visits to the campus of Georgia Tech and the sessions had a very big influence on our students. One student, Logan Snow, started this fall as an Electrical Engineering major. Logan has now joined the Robojackets. His father has told me on numerous occasions that FIRST, but most specifically, the trips to the Technology Enrichment Sessions are THE primary reason that he chose to attend Georgia Tech. “

Kenneth Trussell Brentwood School, Sandersville, GA

“Campbell High School participated in the First Robotics Enrichment Session in the Fall of 2003. It was a wonderful experience for my students. They were given insight into the world of engineering and problem solving. The students had a lot of fun and learned a great deal about robotics and themselves.” Terry Snipes, Engineering Drawing and Design, Campbell High School, Smyrna, Ga.

“The RoboJackets’ TE Sessions are a vital part of the initial understanding of the engineering process and the FIRST program.” Jeff Rosen Technology and Engineering Instructor Wheeler High School, Marietta, GA

GT FIRST Fall 2005 Technology Enrichment Sessions History and Growth Since 2001, GT FIRST has provided local high school students with the opportunity to learn basic engineering principles and experience the college classroom in Technology Enrichment sessions held on Georgia Tech campus. This program was geared specifically for preparation for the annual FIRST robotics competition held in the spring. The sessions spanned an 11 week period with weekly meetings in which specific engineering concepts and topics were presented by either a GT FIRST college member, a member of the Georgia Tech faculty or a distinguished industry guest. Each of the weekly sessions is concentrated on a specific subject including design methodologies, drive train design, 3-D modeling, basic physics, and many more. Each meeting consisted of a lecture and a relevant activity. These weekly meetings culminated to a final design project in which concepts taught throughout the sessions would be used to accomplish the objective. In the first year GT FIRST began with only Roswell High school, which we specifically mentored for the FIRST competition. By 2002 the TE sessions included 11 high schools, and by 2003, attendance was up to 17 high schools. By this time, graduates from some of these high schools were admitted to Georgia Tech, some of whom became a part of GT FIRST. The high schools with established FIRST teams from these sessions were now also beginning to mentor middle schools in the FIRST Lego League program. For example, Wheeler High School, the school which we currently mentor, now mentors 16 middle schools. In 2004, the TE sessions were run as a basic full day workshop for new teams and a 6 week advanced program centered on the design and fabrication of an autonomous drive base. The depth of the technical information was increased as compared to previous years, and the sessions resulted in 3 autonomously navigating robots. NEED SOMETHING HERE ABOUT 2005 and 2006

2007 Plans Once again, the RoboJackets will be revising the Technology Enrichment Sessions in order to provide the high school students with a more beneficial robotics experience. The previous bi-level format will be maintained. The Basic Technology Enrichment Session will be changed to 9 weekly installments of basic engineering topics rather than a one-day event. This will enable teams to bring all interested students and the students can attend the level of training with which they are comfortable. Each basic session is standalone and will include basic activities for students to complete with their VEX kits. The Advanced Technology Enrichment Sessions will span the same period over 8 weeks while covering even more advanced engineering topics in design, fabrication, and control of robotic subsystems. The advanced lectures will span 1-2 weeks each and will feature more advanced engineering topics and activities for the students to complete with their VEX kits. The sessions have been designed to be more accommodating to the demands of student schedules. The advanced and basic sessions will be taught simultaneously in afternoons once per week to more properly accommodate student schedules. Electrical and programming topics will be incorporated into both basic and advanced sessions in their own separate lectures for both the basic and advanced sessions. Furthermore, schools will be able to sign up for any or all of the sessions without worrying about becoming lost in the curriculum.

Basic Technology Enrichment Sessions The Basic Technology Enrichment sessions will take place over 9 weeks starting mid-September, and will involve approximately 15 high schools. Each session will begin with a 20-30 minute lecture followed by a 60 minute activity involving the topic applied to Vex kits. Another short lecture on a related topic will follow, followed by another pertinent activity. These segments will give a basic overview of principles necessary to participate in the FIRST robotics competition and will be presented by the volunteer members of the GT RoboJackets FIRST team. The presentation information will be supplemented by information packets that include more in depth information about each topic. A finale cookout will be held at the conclusion of the TE Sessions, open to students, parents and teachers. During this event, a final keynote speech will be delivered regarding methodologies and tactics to succeed in the world of FIRST robotics.

Basic Technology Enrichment Sessions Outline/Itinerary

Week Topic 1. Introduction 2. Mechanical Basics a. Geometry of structures b. Rotation c. Gravity d. Stress basics e. Demos f. Activities 3. Mechanical Power Transmission a. Mechanisms i. Gears ii. Belts iii. Chains iv. Other b. Advantages and Disadvantages of each c. Activities d. Drive Types i. Methods of motion ii. Advantages and Disadvantages of each e. Demos f. Activities 4. Manipulation and “Reaching” Your Objectives a. Arms b. Conveyors c. Demos d. Activities 5. Manufacturing, Safety, and Fabrication a. Design towards building b. Safety c. Fabrication i. Cutting ii. Drilling iii. Fastening d. Activities 6. Fluid Power and Mechanical Energy Storage a. Mechanical energy storage i. Springs ii. Flywheels iii. Fluid b. NSF Fluid Power Research Center Lecture (Dr. Book, Dr. Paredis) c. Demos d. Activities 7. Electrical Power and Electrical Energy Storage a. Electrical energy storage i. Batteries ii. Capacitors b. Motors and solenoids i. Bridge of electro-mechanical worlds ii. Control basics c. Demos d. Activities e. Circuits i. Basics of Ohm’s Law ii. Wiring 1. Safety 2. Fuses 3. Schematics iii. Fabrication f. Demos g. Activities 8. Programming a. Introduction i. What is a robot? ii. Why a program? Why a computer? b. State machines c. Demos d. Activities 9. Programming a. DSP – sensor conditioning, analysis b. Motor control basics – Simple feedback. c. Demos d. Activities 10. Finale cookout a. How to succeed in FIRST keynote b. Activities

Advanced Technology Enrichment Sessions The advanced Technology Enrichment Sessions will be available to students already comfortable with basic engineering and robotics concepts. The advanced curriculum will span 8 weeks with some topics spanning 2 sessions. The topics are not consecutive and students may attend a combination of basic and advanced sessions. These advanced topics, while not critical to FIRST success, will expand and enrich the education received by prospective engineers and will provide unequaled insight into the worlds of engineering.

Advanced Technology Enrichment Sessions Outline

1. Technical Drawing (1 session) a. Introduction to AutoCAD Inventor b. Drawing practices c. Parts d. Assemblies 2. Motor Control (1 session) a. Selecting motors b. Motor specifications c. Control circuitry d. PID control e. Pulse width modulation f. Programming 3. Advanced Mechanical Power Transmission (2 sessions) a. Gearbox types b. Power Transmission methods c. Specific gearbox design i. Gear types ii. Ratios iii. Design d. Fabrication 4. Manipulators (2 sessions) a. Manipulators b. Arms and objectives c. Design of specific arm i. Actuation ii. Control 5. Topics in Autonomous Control (1 session) a. Autonomous control b. Demos of autonomous robots c. Guest speakers 6. Topics in Machine Vision (1 session) a. Machine vision introduction b. Demos of vision applications c. Guest speakers

2007 Technology Enrichment Sessions Budget

VEX Robotics Kits (Innovation First) Distributing one VEX kit per high school team attending TE Sessions is critical to our success in effectively supplanting engineering concepts and skills in these students. Each instructional lecture is closely matched to an activity involving the VEX kit. Use of the VEX kits in this setting also prepares each attending group to compete in the annual FIRST VEX Challenge, a noteworthy event for any young student engineer to attend. Any in-kind donations or discounts would be greatly appreciated to offset the cost of this item. 30 Vex kits will allow the distribution of one kit to each group at both basic and advanced sessions.

Vex Robotics Design Kit Each $299.99 Required: 30 $9,000

Notebook Computers Transporting presentation files and other information to and from the TE Session site is very critical to the TE program. Not only must presentation files be transported, but digital model demos of engineering concepts are being created to help students visualize difficult topics. Since these files need certain software to run, the demos must be run from a RoboJackets computer. Programming C++ codes and a compiler must also be transported back and forth from the RoboJackets HQ for lectures on electromechanics and programming. The computers available in lecture rooms simply are not equipped with the software needed to effectively teach these topics. Since two simultaneous lectures will be taught each week, we will need two portable computers for file transport. The computers need not be top of the line or exotic in any way, and any in-kind donations to help offset this cost would also be greatly appreciated.

Notebook Computers Each $1,000 Required: 2 $2,000

Competition Field A competition field is required to host an in-house competition at the conclusion of the TE Sessions. This event will allow the students to showcase their work by competing in a FIRST Vex Competition styled event at Georgia Tech. In addition to building pride and confidence in our TE Session students, this annual event brings positive attention to both the Georgia Tech engineering community and the RoboJackets alike.

Vex Competition Field Each $3,000 Required: 1 $3,000

Paper and Binding Each student who attends a Technology Enrichment Session will receive a packet of notes and slides pertaining to the day’s lecture. With 20 high schools and at least 4 students per school, this quickly adds up to 80 packets per session per week. This massive quantity of paperwork produced problems in 2006 when it was produced in-house at Georgia Tech, and this year, outsourcing the job was deemed the best option. 160 packets per week over 12 weeks is a total of almost 2000 packets over the course of the 12 week program. Any in-kind donations or discounts would also greatly offset the burden of this cost.

Paper and Binding Each $1,000 Required: 1 $1,000

Demonstration Materials In addition to presentation slides, software models, and Vex activities, physical demonstrations will be constructed by RoboJackets volunteers to demonstrate engineering fundamentals. Examples of physical demos planned for the 2007 TE Sessions are: multi-point bending demonstration jig, small vehicles with varying drive styles, manipulator or small robotic arm, pneumatic demonstration setup, and an electrical bench setup to enforce more difficult engineering concepts Any in-kind donations of metal and plastic stock, electrical components, pneumatic components, or other devices designed for education would greatly offset the monetary and time cost of these physical demos.

Demonstration Materials Total $1,000

RoboJackets Development Board Past TE Sessions have featured programming and code development for mechatronic devices (motor speed control, logic processing) on a custom “TE Board” developed by Georgia Tech RoboJackets members. This circuit board features a microprocessor, serial communication port, and analog and digital inputs and outputs. A new board with dedicated encoder inputs, more robust motor control, and higher processing power is being designed by RoboJackets members for use in Technology Enrichment Sessions. This new microprocessor board, once fully developed, will be available for high school students. The new “RJ Board” will be an invaluable tool for teaching both basic and advanced programming and interface concepts to young students. In-kind donations of electrical components or circuit board fabrication would greatly offset the cost and expedite development of this crucial tool.

RJ Board Development Total $500

Refreshments Each Technology Enrichment Session will host an approximate total of 60 students per week for three hours. High school students will inevitably get hungry and unfocused, and snacks and beverages will greatly enhance their positive attitudes and focus. Distributing snacks and beverages between lectures is the best way to avoid these problems and will also enhance their learning experience. Any in-kind donations of snacks and beverages would greatly offset the costs of providing these students with refreshments.

Refreshments Total $500

2007 Total Technology Enrichment Session Budget To adequately prepare these young prospective engineers with the highest level of education in engineering and robotics in the field and spirit of FIRST competitions, the Georgia Tech RoboJackets hereby submit the following budget for the 2007 TE Sessions:

2007 TE Sessions Total Total $17,000