Technology Club Application
2011-2012 Application
About the LZHS Technology Club and the FIRST Robotics Competition
Introduction:
Thank you for your interest in the Lake Zurich High School Technology Club! The LZHS Technology Club was
founded in 2007 with the mission of increasing student knowledge through activities that presented practical application
of classroom theory. This has been accomplished through participation in robotics competitions and the design and
construction of Rube Goldberg devices. Our students work with technology and science teachers, as well as practicing
mentor engineers in order to design and build the best possible, most efficient and simple design that will accomplish the
required task. This year’s club will be run a little differently than in the past. We will be forming two sub groups under the
umbrella of the Technology Club, the first group will be competing in a series of Lego robotics competitions sponsored by
Abbott Labs, and there will be multiple teams. The LEGO Teams will be mentored by teachers and students from the FIRST
Robotics team. The FIRST robotics team will be competing in the Midwest Regional at the UIC Pavilion.
While building robots is a major aspect of our group it is not the sole, nor the most important task that our club
undertakes. There are several tasks that must be done prior to our build season:

Fundraise to cover the cost of tooling, materials, parts, and hardware that are required to build the robots

Design and organize promotional items such as banners, informational brochures, fliers, etc.

Learn the design loop while working on a given design problem

Learn the fundamentals of machinery operation including metal cutting and finishing

Demonstrate lab safety including the proper operation of machinery and the use of safety glasses

Learn and apply Inventor solid modeling skills by creating CAD models of designs

Create and understand the importance of time schedules
Activities:
Fall Season
Spring (“Build Season”) 6-weeks from the beginning of Jan
FRC “Pre-Season”
Project Training
o Autodesk Inventor solid modeling software
o Autodesk 3D Studio Max animation software
o Lab Safety, Machine/ & Tool usage
o Electrical, Mechanical and Software training
 Demonstration robot or robot attachment
 Fundraising/ Promotional
FRC “Competition-Season”
 FIRST Robotics Competition
o Design, build, test a robot for the competition
o Practice sessions
o Work with mentor engineers
 FRC Midwest Regionals
 FRC World Championships (If we qualify)
Lego Fall Season
 Training class will be at Abbott in the end of September
 Lego competition season begins in October
 Competitions will be every other Tuesday at Abbott
Lego Fall Season
 Several competitions that will carry over from the fall
 Culminating competition at Abbott
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Technology Club Application
2011-2012 Application
Time Commitment & Parents:
Our work load is very heavy during build season, and our work schedule is very important, especially on the FRIST
team with only six weeks of build time, and the possibility of missing days due to inclement weather. Deciding to apply for
the club is an important decision that should be made by the student and their parent/ guardian. In order to have a
successful season our team members must have a high level of attendance. Participation in the LZHS Technology Club
includes a large time commitment and a high level of dedication from each member. Members of both the LEGO and FIRST
teams are just that, a team, and as such team mates rely on each other in order to have a successful team. Dependability
comes from attending as many meetings as possible. Parents play a pivotal role in our team’s success by encouraging their
student in every possible way. We do understand that balancing homework, social activities and their commitment to the
team can be difficult, especially during competition season. We will try to alleviate the pressure caused by balancing these
activities; however team roles will be based on several criteria with attendance being an important one. Although some
students will have more responsibility than others we expect that each student gives the team and the project their best
possible effort.
Typical Schedules:
LEGO Team
Fall Season
Meetings 2 days per week 3:15 – 5:00
Competitions every other week
Spring Season
Meetings 2 days per week 3:15 – 6:00
Will also play a limited role in the FRC team as needed
FIRST Team
Fall Season (Start of school until Jan)
Meetings 2 days per week 3:15 – 5:00
Pre-season activities and mentoring Lego teams
Spring Season ( 1st week of Jan for 10 weeks)
Meetings Mon-Thu 3:15 – 6:00 & Sat 8:00 – 5:00
More meetings & extended time if necessary
Student/ Parent informational meeting
All interested students are asked to attend this meeting with at least one parent
Thursday
September 15th 7:00 – 8:00
C129
Technology Club Fee
We have decided, in order to save some of the effort of fundraising, to charge a club fee of $250 for the year per student
member regardless of their role in the club. This fee will cover each student’s competition Tee-Shirt and will help to relieve
some of the costs that we incur for purchasing materials such as aluminum stock, tooling and tools, hardware, wheels, tires,
motors, and the other myriad of expenses that we face. We would also like to register for a second regional this season,
this fee, combined with some grants and sponsorships will allow us to do this (pending grant approvals).
Technology Club Fee Waiver
We understand that our country is in troubling times economically; our goal is to ensure that all students who would like to
participate in the Technology Club have a chance to do so, regardless of their ability to meet the fee requirement. If you are
unable to pay the club fee please contact Mr. Keyzer confidentially to discuss reducing or waiving the fee.
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Technology Club Application
Technology Club Faculty Mentors
John Keyzer
Technology Education Teacher
john.keyzer@lz95.org
http://www.lz95.org/directory/default.aspx?StaffId=893&DepartmentId=14
Office (847) 540-4036
Julie Gyarmaty
Physics Teacher
john.keyzer@lz95.org
http://www.lz95.org/directory/default.aspx?StaffId=884&DepartmentId=14
Office (847) 540-4026
Eric Prostka
Technology Education Teacher
eric.prostka@lz95.org
http://www.lz95.org/directory/default.aspx?StaffId=1322
Office (847) 540-4619
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2011-2012 Application
Technology Club Application
LZHS Technology Club
2011-2012 Application
1
Student ID # This is Important!
Congratulations on your decision to apply to the Lake Zurich High School Robotics Team! Please fill out all
information below as completely as you can, making sure to check your spelling, grammar and word usage.
Step 1:
Go to Mr. Keyzer’s website, click the tech club link, and right click the link for this document and save it
to your computer. Fill out using word, and print it out.
Step 2: Also on the tech club website click the link for the contact info and fill out the Google doc
Step 3: The application committee will review your application
Step 4: We will schedule an interview with you
Step 5: Teams will be announced based off of the recommendation of the interview committee
Please sign the Page 7 of this packet and return it in a 9” x 12” envelope unstapled & unfolded to Mr. Keyzer no
later than 09/06/11
2 Contact/ Biographical Information
Sex:
Male
Last Name
Female
Grade:
09 10 11 12
First Name
MI
Address 1
Address 2
City
Zip
Home Phone
Student Mobile
Parent Mobile
Student E-mail
@
Parent E-mail
@
Parent E-mail
@
Note: the majority of all team communication is done through e-mail; please notify us if you change your e-mail
address so that communication is not interrupted.
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Technology Club Application
2011-2012 Application
3 Clubs & Extracurricular Activities
Please list all clubs or activities that you are a
member of or are considering joining
Please list any jobs or non-school activities that
you are a member of
If you have activities above that conflicts with the Tech Club schedule please describe how you will manage these
conflicts, i.e. which activity will take precedence?
Please list any additional hobbies or interest that you have. What do you like to do in your free time?
Have you ever played a team sport? If yes please list all sports that you have played.
Please describe any leadership experiences that you have.
Please check all boxes that you have experience with list any other pertinent information in the box below
□
LEGO
Robotics
□
Principals of Robotics
# Years _______
□
FIRST Robotics
# Years _______
□
FIRST Lego League
# Years _______
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Technology Club Application
2011-2012 Application
4 Personal Statement & Skill Sets
Please provide a personal statement that describes how you feel that you can help the team to succeed
Please place a check mark in the box in the left column for a skill for which you have a basic knowledge
Please place a check in the box in the right hand column for a skill which who have a mastery knowledge
Fundraising
Finances
Marketing
Leadership
Video Editing
Photography
Grant Writing
Website Design
Computer Programming
Accounting
Videographer
Public Speaking
Electrical/ Wiring
Mechanical Design
Drafting (AutoCAD)
Drafting (Inventor)
Soldering
CNC Machining
Please rate yourself on the following criteria:
Least Comfortable
Most Comfortable
Public speaking in a large group setting
1
2
3
4
5
Public speaking in a small group setting
1
2
3
4
5
Written communication
1
2
3
4
5
Working in a group
1
2
3
4
5
Working under pressure
1
2
3
4
5
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Technology Club Application
2011-2012 Application
5 Recommendation and Disclaimers
From the LZHS Pledge Card:
I pledge, as an LZHS Co-Curricular/ Athletic participant, to abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the
Co-Curricular Handbook. We (student/ parent) understand that this agreement encompasses four
consecutive calendar years at LZHS from the date of this signature.
Student’s participation in the Technology Club requires a large amount of time, and will mean that they must
balance their studies with their time in the lab. In addition to this commitment students need to demonstrate an
ability to work independently with a high level of maturity.
To the Teacher/ Mentor:
The applicant is a highly motivated self starter who has the ability to work independently. They are mature and
responsible, and I feel that they can work effectively in an intense team environment as a team player. The
applicant has demonstrated the ability to be responsible for their own actions.
Teacher Name (Print)
Teacher Signature
Date
To the Parent:
I understand the time commitment and dedication that are involved with participation in the technology club, and I
vouch that my student will act in a responsible and mature manner. I also understand that my student is subject to
the terms of the student pledge card and academic eligibility requirements.
Parent Name (Print)
Parent Signature
Date
To the Student:
I understand that I am to act in a responsible and mature manner and will exercise safety and caution when I am in
the robotics lab. I am also aware of and am willing to exercise a high level of dedication and commitment to the
club, my teammates and the project. I also understand that I am subject to the terms of the student pledge card
and academic eligibility requirements.
Student Name (Print)
Student Signature
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Date