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Robotics team is self-sufficient
October 29, 2011
By Mary Pechar
features@lstribune.net
Budget cuts, larger classroom sizes, personnel cuts, failed levy increases and program cuts – it’s been a rough few years for the school district, but for Lee’s Summit High School’s Team Driven, it is business as usual. Their robotics program is totally self-funded.
Team Driven began in 2005 with a small group of students that LSHS physics teacher Jim Nazworthy talked into meeting to find out what the FIRST program was all about. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology was started in 1989 by Dean Kamen, an inventor, physicist and entrepreneur. Kamen concerned with what he perceived as a significant drop in students in the science and technology fields, started FIRST to fulfill his vision “to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”
This small group of students have continued and grown into a self sustaining, award-winning program that has changed the lives of hundreds of high school students. One such student is Robin Koogler.
Robin, an athlete playing both soccer and softball, has has a passion for environmental science. She joined Team Driven at the end of her sophomore year. Now a senior, Robin is in charge of Logistics and PR.
“I’m not directly involved with the technical,” she said. “But I do know what most all of the tools are and I can use a drill press.”
Also, Robin has found she really likes being in charge.
When you visit the build site, you will see Robin’s office surrounded by white boards full of lists. Robin makes sure that every task gets done when it is supposed to be done. Not only do these tasks involve the build, but she also manages the fundraising required to keep this program alive. “This is such a great experience. Learning how to tell someone how to so something right is different from telling someone what to do,” she said.
She was a part of the three person team who won Team Driven’s first Chairman’s Award. Presented to the team judged to have created the best partnership effort and which best exemplified the true meaning of FIRST through measurable impact on its participants, school, and community. The team was required to submit written documentation, prepare and present a video and make an oral presentation and be interviewed.
“This has helped my communication skills so much,” Robin said.
Thus far, Team Driven’s’ biggest fundraiser has been their lawn aeration project. In addition, they raise money by holding robotics camps, a Team Driven Executive Discount Card, Hy-Vee coupon books and Junior Robotics League league fees and food tables. Fundraising adds up to about $45,000. The rest of the budget is made up from donations by sponsors.
Last year’s budget covered the cost of camps, JRL, fundraising expenses, kickoff, the build season costs, Kansas City regional championships, regional championships in St. Louis, an end of season event and scholarships. Travel costs alone add up to about $42,000.
Robin was a part of the three person team who won Team Driven’s first Chairman’s Award. Presented to the team judged to have created the best partnership effort and which best exemplified the true meaning of FIRST through measurable impact on its participants, school, and community. The team was required to submit written documentation, prepare and present a video and make an oral presentation and be interviewed.
“This has helped my communication skills so much,” Robin said.
While she continues to be passionate about environmental science, Robin still really likes being in charge.
Visit the Team Driven web site at www.teamdriven.us.
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