We encourage all parents to join us when possible so that they get to meet other parents and students on the team. Parents who meet other parents and see what the team does are more excited about the program and find that they can do lots of things to help out on the team.

Particularly important is joining us for the Kickoff event in January. Families can come and see the new game, meet other parents and students, meet Mentors, and also see some of the things that the team is working on.

Ways to help:

• Bring food - During the build season parents usually bring in food for the students and mentors. Click the Meal Train logo below to sign up and help. In addition, you can help bring smaller snacks instead of meals to the meetings. We have plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery so there is no need to bring those. We encourage students to bring their own reusable set that can be washed and stored in the shop. See additional FAQs below for more details.

• Become an approved driver - We sometimes need parent volunteers to drive members to different events. If you are interested in doing so, follow the steps here (link coming soon).

• Become a volunteer - Check out FIRST Volunteers for more info.

• Become a mentor - Talk to one of our Lead Mentors for more info.

Just like building the robot, feeding the team is a multi-faceted endeavor and requires a lot of support over an intense build and competition season. We thank you for your attention and support!

Many of you have asked for more detail on the Meal Train system we are using to feed and fuel our team members. Here are some answers and hopefully clarity on how we can do this most efficiently and effectively. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to team leaders or Mentors with any questions.

Use the Meal Train logo below for volunteer sign ups for supplying a meal to the team. If you have not yet signed up to the teams' Meal Train, please do. In total, about 40 meals between January and April are needed at school. Additional support, TBD, is also helpful during the competitions. While total attendance to any given work session can vary, approximately 16 students and 3 adults have been the norm. If this changes, updates are routinely made to the details of the Meal Train page. Please note, if there is extra food we are able to package and store it appropriately in order to re-offer these meals. There is also helpful information about allergies, etc. in the Meal Train dashboard including meal ideas.

With approximately 16 students/families and 40 needed meals, the lift per family can be quite manageable at 2-3 sign ups.

Thank you again for your support to your student and Team 5171.

The team keeps a supply of quick cook ramen for this situation (you are welcome and encouraged to add to the shelf stable ramen, and other shelf stable supplies such as trail mix, bars, snacks, etc.). The goal of the meal we supply is both fuel so kids can focus and social team building.

If there is extra food we are able to package and store it appropriately in order to re-offer these meals.

The kids are using re-usable/washable plates and cutlery which stays in the Design Shop. They are encouraged to bring water bottles which they can fill on campus. If your meal requires special service ware (tongs, ladle, scissors, spatula) please bring those and leave a note that they should be washed and returned with your student. This is also how it works if you bring something in a crock-pot or electric skillet.

The two main options here are:

1) Arrange to drop off your meal in the morning (drop off). Most things can be stored in the faculty dining room where there is a refrigerator, freezer, stove top and oven in addition to countertops, electricity and a sink. The challenge here is moving the food forward to cooking/heating and then to the team. A crock-pot or electric skillet are the best options to work around this issue. Obviously, things served cold (sandwiches, hearty salads, charcuterie boards) can be in the refrigerator and transported to the Design Shop by your student. 

2) Pizza (or other) delivery is always appreciated!

Yes, in past years, parents and student team members have made arrangements with various businesses to donate food and meals. Some examples: bagels for Saturday mornings (especially convenient if the bagel shop is on your path to school), local restaurants with a York connection (these include: Tommy's Wok, Ocean Sushi Deli, Mountain Mikes pizza, etc.). Even Trader Joes has offered fruit and snacks. Please reach out if you need a letter with all relevant information (tax donation number, etc.) to smooth this along.

Yes! If you keep your receipts for food expenses, total them up and submit to the Philanthropy Office, you will be credited with an "in-kind" donation which is recognized in our impact report and demonstrates parent participation to the foundations and charitable organizations who give to York.