2022-23 SEASON INFORMATION - Hudsonville Robotics
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2022-23 SEASON INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
Hudsonville Robotics was started in 2014 to give students an introduction to STEM following the concept of MIT
Professor Woody Flowers. Each year he designed a competition where students had to build robotic mechanisms
to accomplish a given challenge. This eventually led to the First and Vex robotics competition models.
ABOUT US
Our teams compete using the Vex Robotics curriculum. We feel that it is a collaborative, fun, and well-designed
competition model. Every team throughout the world uses the same library of parts and follows the same rules of
the game. This provides a level playing field where a team’s advantage is solely based on the ability of its members.
The robots are designed, built, programmed, and operated by students.
Competitive Robotics is challenging and very much like a sport. It can be difficult, requires discipline, practice,
learning, and research but is also very fun and rewarding. This program is also time consuming much like any other
extracurricular activity and we do not offer a part time option. While we do have some students that compete in
robotics and another fall activity, it can be a difficult schedule to keep. Plan carefully and make a decision that is in
their best interest and the student and of their team.
We provide all the necessary equipment and training for a team to succeed.
Programs
We currently have three competition programs in our organization.
● Vex Robotic Competition (VRC) - Robots are made of metal and require some mature building skills. Teams
compete in a 2v2 timed competition.
● Vex IQ - Robots are assembled from snap-together, plastic parts. Two teams collaborate to score points in
a 60 second timed competition.
● Remote Aerial Drones (RAD) - Teams program and compete with quad-copter drones in timed events. This
program is offered in the spring.
Competition
Teams will compete in qualification matches, timed Skills events, finals elimination, and present their notebook and
robot design to judges.
HEALTH POLICY
We will continue to adhere to the Hudsonville Public Schools health policies.
LOCATION
The now former Robotics/Fitness center has been demolished to make space for the new fieldhouse. The HPS
administration is planning a new dedicated robotics space with completion expected by February 2023. In the
meantime, we will have a temporary space at the main HS.
HudsonvilleRobotics.com info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com
2022 Registration V6.22022-23 SEASON INFORMATION
TEAM SELECTION
Hudsonville Robotics is open to any HPS student from age 9 to 18 with programs based on age groups.
In the signup form, students will be able to note a friend request. We try to accommodate newer students in
younger programs. For high school we tend to build teams vertically combining a senior, junior, sophomore, and
freshman while taking experience into account.
Team Sizes
We prefer to have three to four students on a team. If your student has other activities that they are involved in
this fall, please mark that on their application. Competitive Robotics can be quite a commitment and we often will
place students with other obligations as the 4th team member.
Age Groups
We place students on teams based on their age. See the table below to identify which program for your student.
Students can opt to play-up at an older level and teams will compete at the level based on the eldest member’s
age. If your student is near a line, then feel free to contact us to determine which program they should choose.
VRC Age Group Program Grade Born after... Before
High School Vex VRC 9 - 12 May 1, 2003
Middle School Vex VRC 7-8 May 1, 2007
Elementary Vex IQ 5-6 May 1, 2010 May 1, 2013*
* While there are exceptions, we find that students can focus on competitive robotics once they reach age nine.
Team Coordinators
For our elementary and middle school teams to succeed we rely on volunteers called Coordinators. Their role is to
keep the team focused, organized, and to help them find answers to problems. The team will have a primary
coordinator and often there will be support from other parents to assist. The more coordinators that volunteer the
more teams we can have. Elementary teams meet once, and middle school teams twice per week.
● You do not need to be an engineer or technically minded to be a coordinator.
● All Hudsonville Robotics volunteers must perform and pass a HPS background check.
● Coordinators can receive a one-time student registration credit. See the Fees section below.
CHARITY STATUS
Hudsonville Robotics is a volunteer driven, non-profit, that works to give students a fun competitive robotics
experience, immersing them in a S.T. E.M. environment, while keeping the fees for families as low as possible.
Almost 100% of the equipment and supplies needed for students to compete is provided by the organization. We
receive donations from area businesses and individuals that help us expand the program. The more the community
supports us the more students we can impact.
HudsonvilleRobotics.com info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com
2022 Registration V6.22022-23 SEASON INFORMATION
PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
From the sidelines most visitors see a robotics competition as something similar to Battle Bots but there is so much
more to this program. It involves planning, time management, research, design, strategy, patience, and diplomacy -
just to be on a team. At events students will need to collaborate with teams from other organizations, discuss rules
with referees, present to judges, and promote their skills - all while managing stress, design failure, and the normal
challenges of competition.
Over 300 students have participated in our program, but we would like to reach more. In order to be sustainable,
we feel there are opportunities to improve, and we could use help.
● Girls in STEM -We want to find ways to get more girls involved. Robotics programs throughout the US &
the world have as many as 50% female participation but our program is between 5-10%. The goal is not to
meet a quota, but to find ways for more students to learn about the program and see how it can be applied
to their future endeavors. There is a high demand for women in STEM fields leading to scholarships and
internships.
● Volunteers - We need to have more parents involved. For the past few years, the robotics program has
been managed by a small group of parents, of which many have students near graduation. The interest is
not to hand the program off but to get more members to distribute the workload. This year we are adding
an adult volunteer requirement of three blocks of three hours (9 total) for each student. It takes some time
to fully understand the complexity of competitive robotics so we would like to invite you to spend more
time with the students and see the benefits. We also have some work-from-home spots if you are unable
to find time to be onsite.
● Business Relationships - The concepts that students learn in the competitive robotics program are in high
demand at businesses and universities. We would like to build on that relationship with sponsorships but
moreover with business involvement. Having professionals involved as event judges or trainers can lead to
opportunities that benefit the student and the organization. When business leaders are involved,
recruiting, scholarships, internships, and sponsorship are all possibilities.
FEES
If your student is selected to be on a team the tuition fee is $160. This includes a team shirt, league competition,
two tournaments, and covers the use of parts and equipment.
The fee does not include the state or world tournament, or travel fees. Should teams qualify, we will host a
fundraising event or look to sponsors to help cover costs.
Mentor / Coordinator State Grant
Adults that choose to become a Mentor or team Coordinator can receive a student registration credit for this
season. Through a grant from the State of Michigan we are able to offer a student registration fee credit when an
adult volunteers to be a program Mentor or team Primary Coordinator. Only one credit is available per team and
requires a commitment for the whole season.
Volunteer Time
We have updated the volunteer policy for 2022-23. Each student must have one adult volunteer for three blocks of
three hours. This can be helping with a practice, league night, tournament, event setup, planning, recruiting
sponsors, marketing, maintenance & construction, or referee - to name a few. The volunteer does not have to be a
parent, but we want to encourage parents to be involved.
HudsonvilleRobotics.com info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com
2022 Registration V6.22022-23 SEASON INFORMATION Spring Training Credits We encourage students to try robotics through our Community Education courses before making a commitment to the full season. If you paid for your student to attend a Spring Training robotics course through Community Education, then you can lower your registration fee by that same amount. Example: You spent $30 on our course then the $160 registration fee is now $130. $160 is the max out of pocket for each student for a season. Financial Assistance We do offer scholarships each year to students that do not have the financial means to reduce the registration fee. The best way to apply for scholarships is to talk with your school’s principal or counselors to see if your student qualifies for a reduced rate. COMMUNICATION We will work to make regular updates to the website, www.HudsonvilleRobotics.com, to keep you apprised of news and information. You can always reach out to us by sending an email to info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com. Once your student is registered, we will work to provide them with email contact information to reach volunteers. SCHEDULE Competition Robotics Season Length The core program runs for up to 13 weeks, Sept through early December. Vex IQ Elementary The season typically runs from mid-September through mid-December. Students will be committing to a build/practice schedule of one evening per week. Vex IQ Dates The program will start on Tuesday, September 13, with training courses for students and coordinators. IQ competition league play starting in mid-October, and the first tournament on Nov 12. Vex VRC Middle & High School The core season typically runs from the start of school to early December. Students will be committing to a build/practice schedule of two evenings per week. VRC Dates Orientation for HS / MS teams will start on Wednesday, August 31, practice schedule will start on September 6, leagues starting October 3, and the first tournament as early as Halloween. Extended Season The robotics season continues through the state tournament in February / March and the world championship in May. We will be offering an extended season to students on an individual basis. Students will be evaluated based on their attendance, team contribution, and the number of infractions. The extended season offers more competition opportunities for students, but it can also lead to burnout. Near December we will be conducting interviews with students that wish to extend their season. HudsonvilleRobotics.com info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com 2022 Registration V6.2
2022-23 SEASON INFORMATION STUDENT EXPECTATIONS As with any school activity, students will be expected to behave in a courteous, respectful manner while interacting with volunteers and other students in the program. Their team provided t-shirt is the Hudsonville Robotics uniform and must be worn to all league and tournament events. Student Policies We want to keep students involved and contributing to their team but sometimes students are not interested so we need to have policies in place to handle distractions or behavioral issues. We will be taking attendance, monitoring team involvement, and looking for those causing distractions. We will give students an opportunity to correct their actions, but we may choose to send them home if they are not participating. If issues continue to happen, we will ask parents to get involved in practices. More details will be provided to teams in the Student Expectation document posted on our website. This document will be reviewed in person at the student orientation. HudsonvilleRobotics.com info@HudsonvilleRobotics.com 2022 Registration V6.2
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