Q: How do I sponsor the team?

A: Individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor, please navigate to the How To Sponsor page on this site to learn more about how to sponsor. If you are interested we appreciate it and will be in communication with you!

 

Q: What will my donation be used for?

A: Monetary donations are extremely generous, and go a long way to support the team. Money will be used to purchase parts, tools, and tech for the robot and allow the team to purchase other necessities for the competition.

 

Q: How many people are on the team?

A: There are about 33 students and 9 adults/mentors on our team this year, with varying levels of experience with robotics and FIRST competitions. This is a major increase from previous years, and we are excited to welcome so many new members.

 

Q: How long has the team been in existence?

A: Team 3648 has been competing for 13 years.

 

Q: What sets your team apart from others?

A: Our team is unique due to the various levels of experience and the differing ages of students on the team. This allows for the more experienced students to guide those who may need more support so that they can be encouraged to pursue robotics again in subsequent years. The team members are like family, and this creates a positive and hard-working atmosphere for students and mentors.

Q: Why join robotics?

A: Robotics is a fun and exciting adventure for everyone! There is always a job for everyone to do to create a functional and prodigious robot, and experience is gained from every build day. The team is made up of students who are dedicated to engineering and passionate about robotics, and everyone has lots of fun! Competitions are experiences unlike any other, and the opportunity to meet new people while competing is terrific. Robotics has something to offer to everyone, no matter your interest or career goals!

​

Q: Who is eligible to be on the team?

A: Our team members are juniors and seniors with previous robotics experience. While competition experience is recommended, it is not required! Underclassmen are eligible to participate in build days and are treated as real team members if they show dedication!

 

Q: Where are we located?

A: We are located in colorful Denver, CO,  at Thomas Jefferson High School. Our robotics team is part of the Center for Communication Technology Magnet, one of the state's best technology programs.

 

Q: When is the competition?

A: The regional event we are participating in, part of the FIRST Robotics Challenge, will take place from March 13-16 in Phoenix, Arizona. We have another regional on March 20-23 at Denver State University.

​

Q: What skills are needed to be successful in robotics?

A: Many abilities can be useful in robotics. Robotics is all about working on a team, so the ability to work well with others, communicate efficiently, and be patient with your peers comes in handy. Additionally, it is important to take pride in your work, commit to producing high-quality products on time, and put hard work and dedication into your tasks. Robotics can sometimes be stressful, so it is important to keep a level head and remain professional under pressure.

 

Q: What is FIRST Robotics?

A: FIRST is one of the world’s most innovative robotics programs that seeks to spread STEM education to all young people. There are several different competitions for teams of different ages and experiences, allowing anyone and everyone to compete as they wish. Our team participates in the FIRST Robotics Challenge. To learn more about FIRST, please visit https://www.firstinspires.org

 

Q: I don’t want to build a robot. What else can I do?

A: Building a robot is only part of the experience of robotics at TJ. Creating a robot requires students who can wire, work with programming, communicate with potential sponsors, build websites, and establish a social media presence for the team. Many jobs don’t require building that are necessary for this process to unfold and for team 3648 to succeed in competitions!

 

Q: What will I learn from the program?

A: Being part of a robotics team is an invaluable experience! Abundant with challenging concepts and the need to problem solve, robotics is a course for dedicated, passionate, and ambitious students.

​

Q: What is the role of mentors on the team?

A: Our mentors are some of the most dedicated, hard-working professionals that we have had the pleasure to work with. Our mentors assist us with technical support, troubleshooting problems with building and software, and help us to navigate complicated programming. These adults help to guide us in the right direction and give us the nudge that we may need to make our ideas become realities. We appreciate all our mentors do and look forward to working with them.

 

Q: What is the time commitment?

A: This season we have had about 180 available build hours for students to work with. Each member is given a requirement of 100 hours minimum but needs at least 10 more to letter in robotics. Students spend in-class time every day and build days after school and on weekends working on our robot.

 

Q: What are FIRST competitions like?

A: FIRST competitions are very exciting! There are so many unique and equally passionate people to meet and share ideas with, and we feel very fortunate to connect with these teams. Competitions are long days of hard work and dedication. While some students are driving and working on our robot in the pits, others are scouting to enhance game strategy.

 

Q: What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

A: Loctite

 

Q: How many brain cells does the team share?

A: One, two on a good day.

 

Q: Are you charged up?

A. For the last time, NO. Leave that in 2023, I AM DONE. NEXT PERSON TO ASK IS GETTING CHARGED UP BY A 12-V BATTERY