History of Team 1828
The team was organized in fall of 2005 as the Vail High School Science, Engineering, and Robotics Club. A NASA grant helped us pay for our registration for the Phoenix Regional event. The goals of the club and team 1828 were to:
In our first year our team was composed of almost all freshmen. Twelve boys and two girls were committed to the building phase under the guidance of Don Adams, the science teacher and Team Advisor. He remained with the team until he retired in 2016. We built a robot that first year that worked, but did not score well at competition. However we did learn a lot about how to do things and were excited about the next year.
Since our first year, the team has fluctuated anywhere between 12 and 50 students, and 1 and 6 adult mentors. Our sponsors have included Freeport McMorran Mining, the Caccioppo Foundation, NASA, the UA Tech Park, and numerous tax credit donations from parents and relatives. In 2010 we were approached by Caterpillar, Inc., to become our sole sponsor for the Arizona Regional competition. We have enjoyed our relationship with Caterpillar who continues to underwrite our robot construction costs and registration fees.
The team was organized in fall of 2005 as the Vail High School Science, Engineering, and Robotics Club. A NASA grant helped us pay for our registration for the Phoenix Regional event. The goals of the club and team 1828 were to:
- increase student awareness of what scientists and engineers do.
- prepare and acquaint students for careers in science, technology and engineering.
- develop problem solving skills in all students.
- introduce students to the safe and proper use of hand and power tools.
- provide an out-of-classroom education and experience that can not be obtained during regular school hours.
- involve parents, business, and community members in a fun and educational experience.
- increase community awareness and student interest in our school.
In our first year our team was composed of almost all freshmen. Twelve boys and two girls were committed to the building phase under the guidance of Don Adams, the science teacher and Team Advisor. He remained with the team until he retired in 2016. We built a robot that first year that worked, but did not score well at competition. However we did learn a lot about how to do things and were excited about the next year.
Since our first year, the team has fluctuated anywhere between 12 and 50 students, and 1 and 6 adult mentors. Our sponsors have included Freeport McMorran Mining, the Caccioppo Foundation, NASA, the UA Tech Park, and numerous tax credit donations from parents and relatives. In 2010 we were approached by Caterpillar, Inc., to become our sole sponsor for the Arizona Regional competition. We have enjoyed our relationship with Caterpillar who continues to underwrite our robot construction costs and registration fees.