Robotics: Stay up-to-date with everything happening with our FIRST Robotics Team at www.ntithunderbots.com. 

New Tech Thunderbots Team 7657

Robotics Newsletter | Week of September 21–26, 2026

Most Important

• Robotics Code of Conduct: Please make sure the completed and signed form is turned in ASAP.

• FIRST Registration: All students must register for the 2026–2027 season.

• Robotics Dues: $350 per student, due January 1, 2027.

• Vincennes University Purdue Forum: We need 8 attendees to receive the $400 team bonus. We currently have 6 signed up.

• Boilerbots Off-Season Competition: Please complete the registration form by September 30 at 3:00 PM if your student would like to attend.

This Week

Monday, September 21

Organizational Session
2:15–5:30 PM-Optional

Junior PSAT Prep and other clubs will meet until 3:00 PM.

Mr. Memmer will be working in the Robotics Room. If you are able to help, he could use your help!

Mentor Meeting

6:30–7:30 PM | Google Meet

This meeting is a touch-base for both new and returning mentors. We will discuss upcoming events, answer questions, and give mentors an opportunity to share ideas, topics, or concerns.

Google Meet:
https://meet.google.com/qof-tcfm-nay

Tuesday, September 22

FLL Student Mentors

FLL at Elementary School Locations

We are looking for more students to participate in FLL mentoring! This is a great opportunity for first-time team members to get involved and gain valuable experience in STEM outreach.

Students will leave immediately after school. Please meet at Mr. Gibson’s office. Mr. Gibson will transport students to the FLL locations by minibus.

If you have not yet signed up to serve as an FLL student mentor, please sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BA4AE2FABFF2-65245921-flllocations

This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in outreach and share your passion for STEM with younger students!

Wednesday, September 23

Nothing Scheduled-

Robotics Meeting — Required for All Students

Room 1
4:00–6:00 PM

Programming will begin at 3:00 PM for anyone who is able to attend early.

Agenda

• 3:00 PM: Programming with Lucas

• 4:00–4:15 PM: Team meeting — please be prompt

• Continued CAD training

• Business meeting

• Sub-team work, if time allows

Thursday, September 24

Robotics Meeting 

Room 1

3:00 PM-Robot Revamp and Programming- Optional

Junior PSAT Prep and other clubs will meet until 3:00 PM.

Mentor Dan will be working in the Robotics Room with sub team students @3:00PM on the robot revamp. If you are able to help, he could use your help!

4:00–6:00 PM-Required for All Students

Agenda

• 4:00–4:15 PM: Team meeting — please be prompt

• Continued CAD training

• Business meeting

• Sub-team work, if time allows

Friday, September 25

Organizational Session
2:15–5:30 PM-Optional

Mr. Memmer will be working in the Robotics Room. If you are able to help, he could use your help!

Saturday, September 26

Vincennes University Purdue Forum

1300 Chestnut St., Vincennes, IN 47591

Transportation: There will not be a team bus for this event. Please reach out to Mrs. Sarikie if you are able to attend and need a ride.

Who Should Attend?

Students, mentors, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about FIRST are welcome!

All times are Eastern Time.

• 9:00 AM — Doors Open

• 9:30 AM — Welcome & Announcements

• 10:00 AM — Session 1

• 11:00 AM — Session 2

• 12:00 PM — Lunch Break

• 1:00 PM — Session 3

• 2:00 PM — Session 4

• 3:00 PM — Depart

Team Bonus

We need 8 people in attendance at this event to receive the $400 team bonus. We currently have 6 people signed up.

If you are available to attend, please let Mrs. Sarikie know!

Required Forms & Registration

Please make sure your student completes the Robotics Application and that both the student and parent/guardian read and sign the Robotics Code of Conduct.

Robotics Code of Conduct

A copy of the Robotics Code of Conduct is available from Mrs. Welde in the office.

Important

The completed and signed Robotics Code of Conduct must be turned in ASAP.

Parents/guardians who have not yet signed the Code of Conduct acknowledgment should make sure their student gets the form to them as soon as possible.

Please take time to review the Code of Conduct with your student and make sure both the student and parent/guardian sign the form.

FIRST Dashboard Registration

All students need to log in to their FIRST Dashboard and register for the 2026–2027 season.

If you are having trouble completing the registration, Mrs. Sarikie will be receiving step-by-step instructions soon. Stay tuned!

Registration Steps

1. Go to FIRST:
   https://www.firstinspires.org/

2. Log in using the email address you have on file with FIRST.

3. If you do not remember which email address is on file, please ask Mrs. Sarikie.

4. If you have not logged in this year, you may need to reset your password.

5. Go to My Roles.

6. Select Team Member.

7. Select Apply for a Team.

8. Enter team number 7657.

Student Registration

https://my.firstinspires.org/JoinTeam/Welcome/d71f6289-a7ce-11f1-9b5e-00505699b848

Mentor Registration

https://my.firstinspires.org/ExpressMentor/landing-page/cdae6795-a7d1-11f1-9b5e-00505699b848

Robotics Dues

Robotics dues for the 2026–2027 season are $350 per student and are due by January 1, 2027.

Dues may be paid by cash or check.

Paying by Cash

If paying with cash, please make sure the payment is clearly marked with the student’s name so we can properly identify who the dues are for.

Paying by Check

Please make checks payable as directed by the team/school and write “Robotics Dues” in the memo line.

Financial Assistance & Sponsorships

If your student needs financial assistance with robotics dues, please see Mr. Gibson to discuss available options.

If you are obtaining a sponsorship to cover your student’s robotics dues, please let Mrs. Sarikie know which company is sponsoring the student and covering the dues.

Coming Up!

Team Giveback Events

• October 20: Chipotle Giveback, 4:00–8:00 PM — location across from the mall

• November 3: Azzip Giveback — 1st Avenue

• November 22: Thunderbolts Ticket Giveback — 3:00 PM puck drop
  Family Day featuring $3 hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, and inflatables

• December 17: Hacienda Giveback — 1st Avenue

FIRST Purdue Forums

The FIRST Purdue Forums are a great opportunity for students and mentors to collaborate with other teams from across the state.

We will be attending both forums, with Eean and Mrs. Sarikie in attendance at each event.

If one date works better for your family, that is perfectly fine. If you can attend both, AMAZING! We would love to see as many Team 7657 members there as possible.

These are FREE events for students, mentors, and parents. Parents will be responsible for transportation.

More information will be provided as the events get closer.

• September 26: Vincennes University Purdue Forum

• October 3: Purdue University Forum

Off-Season Competition: Boilerbots

October 23–24

Registration Deadline: September 30 at 3:00 PM

We will leave via bus on October 23 at 1:00 PM.

We will stay overnight on October 23 and return late on October 24. Parents are welcome to attend.

All meals will be provided by the team.

Students will have opportunities to participate in a variety of activities throughout the event.

If your child would like to attend, please complete the Google Form as soon as possible:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciiRJEqIPL6GBLbPhEpXbO5Pb6CEBHK_U1A-y5uYp0qJAsxQ/viewform?usp=header

Thank You, Thunderbots Families!

Thank you for helping us prepare for another great season with New Tech Thunderbots Team 7657!

Your support, encouragement, and involvement make a tremendous difference in our students’ experience.

We are excited about the 2026–2027 season and everything our team will accomplish together!

Go Thunderbots!

Questions?

If you have questions about the upcoming robotics season, meetings, events, or requirements, please reach out to Mrs. Sarikie.

Email: ntithunderbots.lead.mentor@gmail.com
Slack: Send Mrs. Sarikie a direct message.
Phone: 812-568-9095

Go Thunderbots!

Rachel Sarikie

Lead Mentor

New Tech Thunderbots FRC 7657

Check out the video for the 2024 season here.