September 26 th, 2013 Beth Looper/Carl Joye Mr. Henry Wilson

* STEM = SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY-ENGINEERING-MATHEMATICS * The LEGO Robotics program is part of the STEM initiative in Pickens County. * Many high paying STEM jobs go unfilled as candidates lack necessary technical skills, training or post-secondary degrees. * STEM jobs are projected to grow by 17% and produce 2.8 million new job openings. * STEM education promotes critical/innovative thinking, creative problem solving, and develops communication and social skills using the subject areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math.

* Project Research. Innovative Solution. Presentation * Core Values Inspiration. Teamwork. Gracious Professionalism* Our Core Values are as follows: * We are a team. * We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors. * We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together. * We honor the spirit of friendly competition. * What we discover is more important than what we win. * We share our experiences with others. * We display Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® in everything we do. * We have FUN! * Robot Design Mechanical Design. Programming. Strategy & Innovation

Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Coopertition ® produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.

* October-December after-school club meetings – Wednesdays, 2:30-4:00. * Club activities include: hands-on running of robot missions (programming) working on research topic (research/presentation) team building activities * Parent/Volunteer Mentor Involvement: Helping serve up snacks Encouraging students & supervising activities- Creating competition buttons and bling apparel

* * We hope to have MANY 4 th & 5 th graders sign up for after school Robotics Club! There is a one- time $10 fee. Members will receive a Club T- shirt and weekly snacks. * After December, the team(s) (10-20 students)* will emerge from Club members and team(s) schedule will increase in frequency to get ready for competitions. Some SATURDAYS will be involved for competitions. * * Since FLL stipulates only 10 students per team, we may have to initiate “try-outs” as we near competition dates.

* Questions??? * Comments?