1. Team 8712 EPIC 2015-2016 Season Building Your First Robot

2. Outline Tetrix vs Matrix What’s In the Box Document Everything Start With a Base Brainstorming Prototyping Building Questions

3. Tetrix vs Matrix Tetrix- Our Decision More popular=more help Easy to work with Matrix ●Cheaper ●Also easy to work with Whichever kit is chosen, custom parts will be useful!

4. What’s In The Box? Tetrix/Matrix kit of parts Basic structural metal Wheels Nuts and bolts Motors/Gears Metal Tubes/Bars Basic Instructions For a Starting Robot

5. Document Everything! Judges want to know who, what, when, where, how, and most of all why The engineering notebook can and will take you to super regionals if you put in the time and effort Show your mistakes and the engineering process Set time apart every day

6. Start With a Base Follow instructions in box to build simple base Helps you get a feel for building and putting pieces together Gives your programmers something to work and practice on

7. Brainstorming Takes longer than you think but is well worth the time Decide on your main goal (How are you going to score?) Brainstorm possible ways of achieving your goal Decide on a plan of action Test and refine your idea Start this early! You may have to change plans and start over!

8. Prototyping Doesn’t have to be final product --Use paper, cardboard, etc. Don't be afraid to start over Your prototypes may not be perfect Use this to figure out what works and what doesn't

9. Building Check rules for illegal materials, parts, exact specifications (on/off switch, etc.) Use what you learned from your prototypes to help guide your build Don’t make your robot 18 x 18 x 18 Remember, it's OK to change your design

10. QUESTIONS?