If you're interested in joining the team, contact us at cwtech2959@gmail.com !

Smarts

You DON'T have to know anything to start!  Goodness knows the majority of us began our journey with the team without any knowledge about how to build off of a blueprint; code; plan a build; or even write articles like this, in some cases.  That's what robotics is here for: learning!  Your concern should not be with how much prior knowledge you do or do not have, for robotics is a sport centralized around mental growth through teamwork, learning, and perseverance.  If you knew everything to start, then there wouldn't be nearly so much to gain from the experience.

Time Investment

There is a certain amount of time investment that is tied to robotics, just like any other sport.  

In the months leading up to the first competition, the Robotarians expect a typical student to amass around 50 hours or more in their time working with the team.  This way, we can ensure that the team's workload is balanced and all may contribute to produce something of which the whole team is proud.  

With our system of hours logged rather than mandatory, you are also encouraged to operate on a more free schedule; we understand that many students already have seasonal sports, extracurriculars, jobs, and other commitments to uphold, so it's important to us that no student becomes overwhelmed.  Our meeting times are typically on weekdays from 5:30 pm  to 8:00 pm  and on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Within these windows, it usually isn't too difficult for our students to fulfill this 50 hour quota.  That being said, if you believe you will have any particular difficulty obtaining these hours within your typical workload and schedule, then our mentors are always available to make any adjustments necessary.

You should expect robotics to take up about as much time as any other sport you may sign up for.  Keep this in mind when you decide if robotics is right for you!

Disabilities or Medical Concerns

Robotics is a diverse place, and we host among our ranks students and mentors with their own diversities to consider, whether that be hearing disabilities, ASD, allergies, etc.  If you have any health concerns, open discussion with our mentors will help make sure that we can better accommodate everyone and maintain the safety of everyone involved.

Supplies

You don't need much to begin your journey with robotics: a pair of close-toed shoes and what you would otherwise typically wear works just fine, as we provide safety glasses and gloves where they may be required.  

Exchange Students

The more the merrier!  If you're an exchange student who is either home-schooled or enrolled in one of our incorporated communities, you are just as welcome to join the team.  We find that robotics can be a wonderful opportunity to not only learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) but also about other cultures from Michigan and around the world through our competitions.