Community Involvement

In the spirit of FIRST, and because we have been fortunate to receive such generous support from our sponsors and the community, EnTech 281 strives to give back to the community by promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

A.J. the Robot and A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering

This past spring, Ansel Sanders, program director for A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering in Greenville, met with EnTech 281 and presented a unique challenge.   Would the students build a "greeter robot" for the new AJW school's lobby?   This was a robot like no other the team has developed as it had to be kid friendly and interactive, and also look like the school's logo.

During the summer, students met to imagine, design, and build the AJ Robot - at first weekly, and as the deadline neared, almost daily.   Finally, on August 14, 2010, members of EnTech 281 delivered A.J. the Robot to A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School.   Some of AJ's final features include: an unpainted back so that students can look inside him and see how he works, an arm which waves and a special hand which allows him to hold an object, LED lights for his eyes and belt, a working chest display, the ability to say different things, and the ability to see if someone is standing in front of him.

A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School also invited the team to their Playground Design Day on July 15 at Fluor Field, the Greenville Drive stadium.   The primary purpose of the event was to allow the AJW students to participate in designing their own playground, but the event also offered an opportunity for other activities including a demonstration of the EnTech 281 Breakaway Robot.   The soccer ball kicking robot from 2010's game was a magnet for onlookers and wanna-be drivers and operators.

From September 29 through October 3, the community rallied around the playground build, and EnTech students, parents, and mentors joined with the dozens of other volunteers to build two playgrounds in 5 days.

Today you can go see the semblance of AJ the robot on the playground and meet AJ itself in the lobby of this fine new school.

Hosting Our Own Robotics Camp

About 28 students aged 8-13 participated in EnTech's Robotics Camp over two days during June of 2010.   The camp was designed to be an introduction to the engineering decision process and how robots are used.   The team gave a tour of our shop and demonstrated the FRC robot used in the Breakaway game.   Students were given some materials and design constraints and were asked to create a tool to pick up objects.   These end effectors grew more complex, progressing to simple anthropomorphic tele-operated hands.   Each student also used a toothbrush head, a battery, and a vibrating motor to build a bristlebot that could run a straight course or bounce around.   The BotCamp program was developed by STEM Outreach Coordinator Beth Leavitt and run with assistance from EnTech 281 team members.   We partnered with 4-H and local FLL teams to draw in interested students.   The money raised was placed into an account for travel.

Volunteering at Roper Mountain Science Center Summer Camp

For one week each of the past two summers, EnTech 281 team members have worked alongside the STEM Outreach Coordinator Beth Leavitt at Roper Mountain Science Center in NASA Engineering Design Challenges summer camps.   Each day the campers were given a NASA Challenge such as Structural Launch Test Stands, Thermal Protection Systems, Electrodynamic Propulsion, Building a Better Propeller, and Understanding Forces Through Roller Coasters.   Working in teams, campers designed, built, tested, and then redesigned - achieving better test results throughout the day.   Each team also created a story board and presented their findings to the rest of the camp.   Not only did we have great fun building things, but we destroyed, melted, burned, and sent some things flying.   The student members of EnTech 281 mentored these youngsters, built bonds, and shared their excitement about engineering, science, and technology.

Robot Demonstrations

On October 26, 2010, students from EnTech 281 attended Science Fun Night at Stone Academy where they assisted with the balloon race car activity and also demonstrated the FRC Breakaway Robot.

For the last two years, we have demonstrated our robot at the upstate balloon festival Freedom Weekend Aloft, held in May.

Helping Other Teams Get Started

See Rookie Team Mentoring.

Toys for Tots

Each year during the Holiday Season, we collect STEM toys for the annual Toys for Tots Drive, donating hundreds of toys geared to developing skills and interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Christmas Shopping

For the last two years, EnTech 281 team members have assisted children from low-income families of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club shop for presents for their families.

Volunteering with GAIHN

GAIHN stands for Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network.   It is an organization that uses churches to house homeless families that would be separated at any other homeless shelter.   One night a year, EnTech 281 serves them a meal and entertains the children.   We told the children of the robotics program and now they aspire to join when they are of age.