About Our Team

Mission Statement

To prepare ourselves and future generations for college & career success by providing an education that builds a solid foundation in mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering principles.

Team Principles & Values – Team 5900 proudly embraces the following six principles and values that guide our daily actions and behaviors:

Gracious Professionalism® -- 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.

Coopertition® -- Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but assisting and enabling others, including teams you are competing against, when you can.

Safety First – Safety must be the most important issue at all times. While our team wants to learn and have fun, we do not want any team member to be injured during the process. All team members are expected to participate in safety training, follow safety guidelines at all times, and look out for the safety of others. While we do have a Safety Captain on the team, safety is ultimately the responsibility of each and every team member. Team members who do not take safety seriously can be terminated from the team.

Learning – Learning occurs every day. Regardless of skill level and experiences, each of us can learn new things and also help teach others what we know. Our team will have a culture of learning which will help prepare us for success on the competition field and in life. Respecting the ideas and perspectives of others is a key part to learning.

Teamwork – As a team of diverse individuals, we will accomplish more together than individually. To be effective as a team, we will respect diversity, value different opinions, listen to others, and collaborate to solve problems. Teamwork also means everyone doing their part to help the team – regardless of role and experience. Individuals may need to sacrifice individual glory for the team to success. Teamwork also means helping other teams during competition and giving back to the community through outreach to help the next generation find their success.

Career Preparation – Taking part in FRC will help each team member learn skills that can be applied in various career fields. Working with mentors we will learn about career and education opportunities that align with our interests. Taking part in Team 5900 in not only about the present – it’s about finding your future!

Forming the Team

In fall of 2015, the Northwest Georgia College & Career Academy (NWGCCA) formed Team 5900 -- The Fighting Mongooses -- as part of strategic efforts to prepare a skilled workforce for advanced manufacturing employers in the Greater Dalton area.

FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) is part of the Advanced Manufacturing & Business Academy that has been developed by the NWGCCA in partnership with area manufacturers to develop skilled individuals in the areas of Manufacturing, Logistics, and Corporate Administration. FRC provides real-world technical & soft-skills, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and innovation skills that will greatly benefit area employers and the community. In addition to FRC, the Advanced Manufacturing & Business Academy also provides students with opportunities to participate in a paid apprenticeship while in high school that is based on the Swiss apprenticeship model.

Kell Robotics (Team 1311) conducted demo sessions at NWGCCA in fall 2015 to educate our students on FRC. These demo sessions sparked interest and shortly after the first meetings were held to form the team. We appreciate the help and support provided by Kell Robotics as we began our journey.

TEAM HISTORY:

2015 - Formed Team in Fall

2016 - Rookie Season (FIRST® Stronghold)

• 13 team members
• Robot = Lemon Sweets
• March 2016 – Host Team for Peachtree Dalton District Qualification Event

2017 - 2^nd Season (FIRST® Steamworks)

• 27 team members
• Robot = Mr. Spoon
• March 2017 – Host Team for Peachtree Dalton District Qualification Event

2018 - 3rd Season (FIRST® Power Up)

• 30 team members
• Robot = Zotzbot
• March 2018 - Host Team for Peachtree Dalton District Qualification Event

2019 - 4th Season (FIRST® Destination Deep Space)

• 40 team members
• Robot = Rocket
• March 2019 - Host Team for Peachtree Dalton District Qualification Event