Beak Squad Robotics - US 9-12

Students compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) which boasts 4000+ teams worldwide. With a new challenge presented each January, the team has about 2 months to design, build, and program a 120 lb robot. Playing 3 v. 3 matches on a large field, FRC is dubbed “a varsity sport for the mind.” FRC provides students with hands-on, professional technological and business-minded experience.

Thanks to dedicated adult mentors with extensive professional career experience, Team Members learn and develop skills spanning multiple skill sets including:

• Mechanical: hands-on manufacturing and robot assembly, including CAD and 3D printing.
• Controls: electrical engineering; programming for operator robot controls and autonomous routines.
• Scouting & Strategy: “competitive intelligence” and liaison between CHCA robot drive team and competition alliance members.
• Business & Branding (B²): communications, public relations and community outreach, documentation and content creation, fundraising and accounting, project management, etc.) 
  • Beak Squad partners with CHCA’s Entrepreneurship Certification Program. Contact Beak Squad Head Coach to learn more about how joining the Beak Squad Business & Branding sub team can function as your internship requirement!

Pre-Season: August - December Practices
Monday and Thursday -- 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Team dinner provided)
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Team “brunch” provided)

Build/Competition Season: January - April Practices
January-February: Intensive 6-8 week robot design and build period
Different roles & responsibilities require more work time.
Monday-Thursday - 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. or later (Team dinner provided)
Saturday - 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or later (Team “brunch” & dinner provided)

Field Set Build: January
Saturdays and other as-scheduled starting 2nd Saturday in January through completion.

Summer Off-Season: May - July Practices
Monday and Thursday - 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

Robotics HQ within 1 mile of campus
11563 Grooms Road, Blue Ash, OH  45242  (map)

Pre-Season & Off-Season Competitions: TBA

Competition Season:

• Mid/late March; Multi-Day (Thursday - Saturday) 2 Regional Tournaments involving overnight travel and missing a few days of school
• 04/17/24-04/20/24: World Championship held in Houston, TX for qualifying teams

$375 for new members (includes Beak Squad Uniform Shirt); $350 for returning members

Additional financial commitments reviewed at Parent Meeting. These include:

• Team Dinners
• Student Competition Travel Expenses (transportation, hotel, food):
  • 2 Regional Competitions:  ≈ $500 each
  • World Championship (if qualifying) ≈ $1200
  • Off-Season Competition: ≈  $300

Scholarship opportunities available. Contact Beak Squad Head Coach

**Competition Travel Costs are off-set by successful Corporate Sponsorship & Community Supporter Donations**

• Volunteer at Beak Squad hosted events
• Transport to/from Robotics HQ when not provided by CHCA
• Help make connections/build partnerships with potential Corporate Sponsors and Community Supporters
• Attend competitions - We love a good cheering section!

• Check out the Beak Squad microsite (www.chca-oh.org/beaksquad) for more information and regular updates.
• Each year the team must raise about $40,000 to cover basic robot costs. Funds are raised through Corporate Sponsorships and Community Supporter donations. Want to help? Visit our sponsorship webpage or email Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org.

• Email Beak Squad Head Coach to schedule 1-2 practices as a “Shadow”
• Complete and Return a Speciality Program Parent Agreement (aka Liability Waiver to Shadow)
• Post shadow, complete these registration steps:

1. Register in Ultracamp PRIOR to attending your first practice.
2. Read & Sign Beak Squad Student and Parent/Guardian Handbooks
    
3. 2023-2024 Student Registration with FIRST (+) Parent Connected
   • Students: Complete during Pre-Season On-boarding @HQ
   • Parents/Guardians: Complete at Parent Meeting with Coach
      
4. Download Student AND Parent Communication Tools
   • Mobile App “TeamSnap” – invitation sent after UltraCamp completion
   • Mobile or Desktop App “Slack” – invitation sent after UltraCamp completion

08/01/23 - Registration Opens
08/17/23 - Pre-season practices begin (Registration required to attend)
08/28/23 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ location TBD - Parent Information Meeting
12/01/23 at 11:59 p.m. - Registration Closes