Spreading the word!

 

The Juggernauts are determined to make the FIRST dream a reality, either by helping to form new teams, mentoring rookie teams or increasing awareness of science and technology.

In 2000, The Juggernauts led the development within Oakland County of a competitive robotics association (OCCRA). This regional collaboration of 30+ schools has helped develop some of the finest robotic programs in FIRST. Through this organization we have introduced numerous teams to robotics (Waterford, Birmingham Groves, Brandon, Holly, Cranbrook, Roeper and Royal Oak, to name a few), and we have captured an exceptional level of recognition for our county’s science and technology students.

The Juggernauts have created a wealth of educational and promotional materials to assist association teams and FIRST rookie teams in developing their robotics programs. We have:

This year, the Juggernauts have stepped up their mentoring efforts to new heights.  We have mentored 10 new FIRST teams in a program we call FIRST Steps! We have provided each of these teams with $500 of financial assistance, robot materials, how-to guides and tech support via weekly telephone and e-mail messages. Juggernaut members have visited 3 of these mentored teams at their own facilities to answer questions.  Also, some of the teams have come to our center to ask questions and tour our facility; some even use our shop to fabricate their robot components.

Who you gonna call?  The Juggernauts are the favorite of Industry and Government.  When an Industry/Governmental high tech consortia called “Automation Alley” was getting ready for the groundbreaking ceremony for their new headquarters, they wanted a high tech participant.  They called on the Juggernauts, who provided a quickly retrofitted FIRST robot, equipped with a shovel, to make the ceremonial first scoop.

When word went out that FIRST robots were needed at the Michigan State Fair Technology Exhibit, the Juggernauts answered the call.  The highlight of the display occurred when Michigan’s Governor Granholm actually drove our robot, to the delight of the fair-goers.

The Juggernauts are constantly out in the community sharing the message of FIRST. Just this year, we set up our displays and gave free robot driving lessons at: a cub scout meeting, two high school parent orientation meetings, a school board meeting, the Oakland County Parent Information Night, Chrysler’s “Wild Wheels at Work” Expo, the Michigan State Fair Technology Exhibition, the Automation Alley Alternative Energy Solutions Conference, and at the Woodward “Dream Cruise.” We also helped stage a sample robotics tournament for prospective FIRST teams at the “YES Expo” at Ford Field, teaching students from throughout the region about the excitement of driving a robot in competition. Two of the schools that attended this event are teams that we are now mentoring in FIRST!