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About

Rocky Mountain Robotics is a student-run team organized like a real business. We prepare students for the real world and provide a fun opportunity to learn new skills while having a good time. We build people who build robots while encouraging students to reach as high as they can dream. Any Academy District 20 high school student can join the team.

Michael Steiner - Coach

Dr. Amanda Trimillos - Coach

How it Works

  • Each student selects the department in which they will work.

  • All work supervised by teachers and industry mentors. Safety is our number one priority.

  • Students, please show up dressed to work: clothes that can get dirty, closed-toed shoes, long hair pulled back, no loose jewelry.

Schedule

Pre-Season

Training & Team Building
Wednesdays: 6 - 8 p.m.

Build Season

  • Tues. – Thurs.: 6 - 9 p.m.

  • Saturdays: Noon - 6 p.m.

Except for holidays, snow days, or parent-teacher conferences.

The Team, Functional Areas and Mentors

  • Manipulator

  • Drivetrain

  • Wiring and Pneumatics

  • Programming

  • Special Projects

  • Safety

  • Media (includes website development), Scouting and Strategy

  • CAD

Leadership Positions

Leadership applications/interviews will occur after the competition in March. Resume and interview are required.

Available Positions:

  • CEO

  • COO

  • Safety Captain

  • VP Manipulator

  • VP Drivetrain

  • VP Wiring & Pneumatics

  • VP Programming

  • VP Special Projects

  • VP Media / Scouting

  • VP CAD

Robotics Departments

Because our team has over 50 members, Rocky Mountain Robotics Team 662 is split into nine separate departments focusing on one specific aspect. Each department is led by a Student Vice President who has specialized knowledge about the areas the department focuses on and is guided by an Adult Mentor who shares wisdom and aids in teaching the student members. 

  • Drive Train: Designs and builds the drive base of the robot, making it mobile and allowing for movement on the field. Also works on the bumpers and wiring plates.

  • Manipulator: Designs the main structure of the robot to fit the specific competition each year and creates moving game pieces.

  • Wiring and Pneumatics: Designs and implements electrical circuits that communicate instructions to components and aid in the moving of parts of the robot through pneumatics.

  • Programming: Our job is to ensure that the robot functions once built. We do this by writing code in Java in VS (Visual Studio) using FRC documentation and libraries. We write most of the code without the robot and then debug once the robot is constructed.

  • Computer Assisted Design (CAD): We design the robot in a 3d model form and assist the manipulator/drive train with measurements and printing pieces using 3d printers.

  • Special Projects: With the use of woodworking, build the annual game pieces and practice playing field to imitate the conditions seen in competition. Also determines the needs of the team to build/source out any non-robot related items. 

  • Scouting and Strategy: Determines alliance picks and gathers information about other robots at competitions.

  • Media and Production & Public and Team Relations: Manages social sites and creates digital media that is used to exhibit aspects of the club to new members and sponsors. Organizes community outreach as well as positive intra-team relations and works on team branding.

Other Student Leaders

  • Chief Executive Officer: Responsible for the overall organization of the team and administrative tasks such as event planning, team communication, business reports, running team meetings, and preparing the team for various awards.

  • Chief Operations Officer: Supplements the CEO's work by managing behind the scenes affairs. They create a project schedule, ensure effective communication between departments, and oversee robot production and drive team.

  • Quality Assurance & Safety Captain: Monitors and ensures the team's safety throughout building and processes. Ensures the quality of work from each department.

Team Awards

  • 2018 - Denver Regional Industrial Safety Award Runner-Up

  • 2017 - World Championships Qualifier, Utah Regional Wildcard, Utah Regional Finalist, Utah Regional Entrepreneurship Award

  • 2016 - Arizona North Regional Excellence in Engineering Award, Arizona North Regional Entrepreneurship Award

  • 2015 - Colorado Regional Industrial Design Award

  • 2014 - Colorado Regional Finalist

  • ...and many more!

About FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) was established in 1989 as a basic robotics competition for 28 high school teams in New Hampshire. Over time, it has grown to include more than 2,300 teams and about 58,000 students from all over the world.

The goal of FIRST is to inspire young people to take an active interest in science and technology and to become leaders in these fields. The program also helps students develop important life skills, such as teamwork, communication, confidence, perseverance, and initiative. Register for FIRST on their website.

Rocky Mountain Robotics is a FIRST Robotics team, #662.

Community Outreach

We pride ourselves on inspiring people around the community to explore STEM fields. Below is a list of annual events that Rocky Mountain Robotics participates in:

  • What If Festival - Downtown Colorado Springs

  • Cool Science Festival - UCCS Campus

  • Mini Maker Fair - Pikes Peak Library District - Library 21c and Barnes and Noble