2013-2014 TEAM HANDBOOK
OUR 23RD SEASON OF
FIRST® ROBOTICS COMPETITION
Managing Partners
Delphi Corporation
Kokomo School Corporation
Delphi Electronics & Safety
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo High School
Supporting Sponsors
2
Purpose
This handbook is an information source and communication tool for members of FIRST
Team 45, the TechnoKats Robotics Team, its supporters, and their families, and a
reference tool for other FIRST Robotics teams.
Contents
Purpose................................................................................................................................ 2
Partnership and Sponsors .................................................................................................... 4
FIRST .................................................................................................................................. 5
FIRST’s Vision ............................................................................................................... 5
FIRST’s Mission ............................................................................................................. 5
Overall Team Goals ........................................................................................................ 5
History of TechnoKats ........................................................................................................ 6
Awards ................................................................................................................................ 7
Organization ........................................................................................................................ 9
Mentors ............................................................................................................................. 10
Team Projects.................................................................................................................... 11
Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 12
Scholarship ........................................................................................................................ 13
Requirements ................................................................................................................ 13
Rewards......................................................................................................................... 13
Finances ............................................................................................................................ 14
Fundraising ................................................................................................................... 14
Student Involvement ......................................................................................................... 15
Student Membership Eligibility .................................................................................... 15
Travel and Commitment Deadlines .................................................................................. 15
Mentor Involvement.......................................................................................................... 17
Lead Mentors ................................................................................................................ 17
Application for Competition Roles ................................................................................... 18
Travel Expectations .......................................................................................................... 20
General Expectations: ................................................................................................... 20
Bus Expectations:.......................................................................................................... 20
Hotel Expectations: ....................................................................................................... 20
Venue Expectations: ..................................................................................................... 20
Relationships ................................................................................................................. 20
Student Contract................................................................................................................ 21
TechnoKats Shop .............................................................................................................. 22
Location ........................................................................................................................ 22
Parking .......................................................................................................................... 22
Shop Map ...................................................................................................................... 22
Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 23
Current schedule available at: http://www.technokats.org/calendar.php
3
Partnership and Sponsors
FIRST Team 45, the TechnoKats, is a partnership between Kokomo School Corporation
and community sponsors. Mentors, sponsors, and team members are expected to uphold
the values of FIRST.
Current Managing Partners:
Kokomo-Center Schools
- Provides teacher mentors
- Provides facilities and transportation to events
- Provides various resources
Delphi Electronics and Safety
- Primary financial sponsor
- Provides finances for travel, entrance fees, parts and materials
- Provides engineer mentors
Current Supporting Sponsors:
Duke Energy
- Provides warehouse space for the team workshop
- Provides material storage and practice field areas
AndyMark, Inc.
- Provides materials and time
- Provides engineering mentors
- Provides opportunities for student employment fundraising
- Provides opportunities for student internships
Foresite
- Provides funding
- Provides engineering mentors and support
Current Contributing Sponsors:
1Up! Software
National Instruments
4
FIRST
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science
and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity
designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education
and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building
self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
FIRST’s Vision
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are
celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
~ Dean Kamen, Founder
FIRST’s Mission
Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging
them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology
skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including selfconfidence, communication, and leadership.
Find out more at http://www.usfirst.org/
Overall Team Goals







Inspire students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math
Prepare students for leadership roles
Promote the ideals of FIRST
Increase community and state awareness of STEM education opportunities
Promote teamwork
Mentor students through positive role models
Boost the level of competition in FIRST by providing technical assistance and
organizational mentoring to other FIRST teams
Annual Goals are set at the beginning of each competition season
5
History of TechnoKats
Kokomo High School’s robotics team has participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition
since its inception in 1992. In that year, the Delco Electronics/Kokomo-Center Schools
“DEKCS” partnership formed the Science Kats, one of 28 teams to compete in the
inaugural FIRST competition. Since then, FIRST has grown to include over 2,000 high
school teams in countries around the world. During this time, the team’s partnerships have
also grown. Over the years, the team adopted its current name of the TechnoKats, Delco
became a division of Delphi, other sponsoring partners have joined, and the TechnoKats
have made a name for themselves in Howard County and in the FIRST community.
The team is proud of its history. It has a strong tradition of competing at a high level in
FIRST while also being a model team by showing “gracious professionalism” as it
competes. Its members have mentored many teams, both in Indiana and across North
America. These teams and others in the FIRST community look to the TechnoKats as a
model FIRST team, as they are a perennial contender for the highest honor given by FIRST,
the “Chairman’s Award”. The team continually strives to uphold that model for how a
FIRST team should be organized and how it should compete.
During these years, the team has been led by the partnership between Delphi and Kokomo
School Corporation, with increasing levels of student control and responsibility. The
success and stability of the team is a direct result of the strong partnership between Delphi
and KSC, and the dedication of mentors, sponsors, and students.
TechnoKats students have gone on to work as engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in
various fields. Alumni work in the automotive industry for such companies as Lockheed
Martin, Delphi, and GM. Many work in aerospace, information technology, consumer
electronics, and health care. It is certain that being a TechnoKat played a big role in their
success today.
6
Awards
Although we are proud of our past achievements and awards, the development of character and of skills is
much more important. Numerous leadership opportunities are available to TechnoKats team members,
and the real successes are seen when students succeed in finding how they can make this world a better
place because of their choice in a technical-related career.
Past Awards:
1992 National Competition Finalist
1992 Ultimate Keeper Award
1994 Chairman’s Award Finalist
1995 Chairman’s Award Finalist
1998 National Competition Champion
1998 National “Technical Excellence” Award
1998 Great Lakes Regional Runner-Up
1998 Great Lakes Regional “Best Play” Award
1999 National Competition Runner-Up
1999 Midwest Regional “Outstanding Defense”
2000 National “Xerox Creativity” Award
2000 Midwest Regional Champion
2000 Great Lakes Regional Runner-Up
2000 Scholarship: $20,000 Kettering University, Vinny Cothern
2001 National Competition #1 Seed & Division Finalist
2001 Midwest Regional GM Industrial Design Award & Finalist
2001 W. Michigan Regional Leadership in Controls Award & Finalist
2001 Scholarship: $20,000 Kettering University, Philip Lundberg
2002 Championship Competition #4 Seed & Division Semi-Finalist
2002 Championship Autodesk Animation Technical Excellence Award
2002 Midwest Regional Chairman’s Award Winner
2002 Midwest Regional Runner-up
2002 Indiana Vocational Education Excellence Award
2003 Championship Competition #3 Seed
2003 Midwest Regional Champion
2003 Midwest Regional Judges Award for Exemplary Sportsmanship
2003 St. Louis Regional Sportsmanship Award
2003 Pittsburgh Regional Sportsmanship Award
2003 Championship Woodie Flowers Award Winner, Andy Baker
2004 Championship Competition, Division Finalist
2004 Midwest Regional Champions
2004 Midwest Regional Sportsmanship Award
2005 Championship Competition, Division Semi-Finalist
2005 Midwest Regional Engineering Inspiration Award
2005 Midwest Regional Safety Award
2005 Boilermaker Regional Judges’ Award for Outstanding Excellence
2005 Scholarship: $30,000 Delphi/Purdue University FIRST 2005 Scholarship, Austin Butler,
2005 Scholarship: $2,000 Boilermaker Regional Scholarship, $1,000 IRI Scholarship, Greg McCoy,
2006 Boilermaker Regional Chairman’s Award
2006 Boilermaker Regional Woodie Flowers Award, Mark Koors
2007 St. Louis Regional Motorola Quality Award
7
2007 St. Louis Regional Champions
2007 Boilermaker Regional Motorola Quality Award
2007 Championship Volunteer of the year award, Mark Koors
2008 St. Louis Regional Finalist
2008 St. Louis Regional Engineering Inspiration Award
2008 Boilermaker Regional Finalist
2008 Boilermaker Regional Industrial Design Award
2009 Washington DC Regional General Motors Industrial Design Award
2009 Washington DC Regional Winner
2009 Boilermaker Regional Chairman's Award
2009 Boilermaker Regional Finalist
2009 Boilermaker Regional Xerox Creativity Award
2010 Boilermaker Regional Champions
2010 Boilermaker Regional Motorola Quality Award
2011 CAGE Match, $1,000 Art Anderson Memorial Scholarship winner, Glenda Hernandez
2012 Boilermaker Regional Website Award
2012 Queen City Regional Winner
2013 Regional Woodie Flowers Winner, Mark Carmain
2013 CAGE AndyMark Award for Awesomeness, Alan Anderson
8
Organization
Managing Partners
Kokomo School
Corporation
Delphi Electronics &
Safety
Superintendent
KHS Principal
Risk Management Advisor/
Energy Education Specialist
Executive Sponsor
Student Leaders
Steering Committee
Technical Lead
Business Lead
Mechanical Lead
Software Lead
Lead Teacher
Lead Engineer
Lead Parent
Business Department
Technical Department
Marketing Committee
Activities Committee
Chairman’s Committee
Mechanical/CAD Committee
Electrical Committee
Software Committee
Operations Department
Competition Department
Travel Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator
Attendance Coordinator
Safety & Shop Coordinator
Shipping Coordinator
Food Committee Coordinator
Team Awards Coordinator
Robot Coordinator
Pit Boss
Scouting Chief
Spirit Leader
Drive Coach
Drive Team
Lead Secretary
Scouting Lead
Web Site Group
Animation Group
9
Mentors
KOKOMO SCHOOL CORPORATION
* Mr. Ben Diener
Dr. Joy Dewing
Math Teacher
English Teacher
Mrs. Robin Townsend Math Teacher
Mr. Robert McIntyre Energy Education Specialist
Lead Teacher
Travel Coordinator
Awards Mentor
Drive Coach
Teacher Mentor
Safety & Shop Coordinator
DELPHI ELECTRONICS & SAFETY
Alan Anderson
Mike Carmain
Kevin Keller
___________
___________
___________
* Mark Zehner
Software Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Manufacturing Manager
_________________
_________________
_________________
Mechanical Engineer
Software Group Leader,
Electrical Group Leader
Executive Sponsor
Technical Group Leader,
Mechanical Group Leader,
Mechanical Support
Lead Engineer
AndyMark, Inc.
Foresite
Mechanical Mentor
Field Construction Manager
Chairman’s Award
Fundraising
Public Relations
Website Group Leader
Parent Committee Coordinator
Activities Coordinator
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
Mentor
ADDITIONAL MENTORS
Mark Koors
Kirk Davis
Bette Anderson
Carol Anderson
Dana Davis
Charles Yocom
______________
______________
* Dorinda Davis
Fred Blessinger
Corey Anderson
Tim Davis
Crystina Wegert
Steven Zehner
Kenneth Beckwith
Phil Leuck
* Steering Committee
10
Team Projects
FALL/WINTER 2013-14
“Win-win” discount card sales
Other fundraising activities
Fall Robotics Game: Not in My House
Shop cleaning and equipment training
HoCoRoCo (Howard County Robotics Coalition)
CAD, electrical, and software training
Indiana FIRST Forum Workshops
C.A.G.E. Match offseason competition
FLL Regional Host and Organizers
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
WINTER/SPRING/SUMMER 2013
FIRST Robotics Competition
Howard County Relay for Life
Indiana Robotics Invitational
PAST PROJECTS
1994-1997: Pop Can Regatta
1998-2000: TechnoKat Challenge
1998-2000: Haynes-Apperson Parade
1999-present: New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
1999: KHS Technical Library
2000: Haynes Car Turntable
2000-2003: TechKnowFest (Ivy Tech)
2000-present: Indiana Robotics Invitational (IRI)
2001-2003: Delphi Technical Forums
2001: FIRST Lego League team sponsorship & startup
2001: ChiefDelphi Invitational Robot Build
2002: Bona Vista TechnoBox
2002-present: Indiana FIRST Workshops & Leaders Meetings
2003: Tinkertoy Challenge
2003-2004: RibFest Pig Drop
2003-2009: RoboEducators (Ivy Tech)
2003-2008: Bona Vista Putt-putt course construction and participation
2004: United Way Donation Tracking with Lighted Ball
2004: Woodie Flowers Award mobius assembly
2005: FIRST Lego League Mentoring
2005-2009: IRI Vex Challenge (Ivy Tech & team 447)
2005-2009: Boilermaker Regional Planning Committee
2006: All Girls Vex Team
2006-present: American Cancer Society Relay for Life team
2006-2007: TechnoKats History Project
2007: Bona Vista Playground Cad Model
2007-present: Relay for Life Lumanaria Ceremony video display
11
2008-2009: FIRST President’s Circle
2009-2013: built trailer for Tearwood Medical Clinic in Guinea
2011: Began hosting FLL Qualifying Tournament
2012: Partnered with Green Alternatives to use collected solar energy to power New Year’s Eve ball
2012: Began midnight Dodgeball Game during Relay for Life
2013: Bona Vista Robot Room
2013: Fall Robotics Game: Not in My House
Many team projects focus on improving the Kokomo community and the FIRST community. These
projects prepare the team not only in technical aspects of completing a project, but also in being prepared
to work together. While this happens, the entire community improves.
Schedule
Jan. TBA – student/ parent kick-off meeting, KHS cafeteria
Jan. 4 – season kick-off webcast, KHS auditorium 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 4- Feb 28
Tuesdays at the shop 3-5:30, 6-8
Team Meeting Tuesdays 5:30-6
Wednesdays at the shop 3-5, 5-8
Thursdays at the shop 3-5, 5-8
Fridays at the shop 5-8
Saturdays at the shop 9-4
Feb18 – stop build
March 6-8 – Arkansas Regional, Search, AR
March 20-22 – Boilermaker Regional, West Lafayette, IN
April 23-26 – Championships, St. Louis, MO
For other events and the most current schedule, see the team website at www.technokats.org
12
Scholarship
Requirements
According to the student contract (see page 21) each student must maintain a C- (70%) or better in each
course in order to be eligible for team travel. This grade policy applies to AP courses also.
Grades are a Priority
This grade requirement is strict, and there are no exceptions. Schoolwork is a greater priority than team
activities.
Grade Assistance
In order to help the students meet this requirement, study tables and tutoring are available for students
who are in need of help. Students should depend on team mentors for personal tutoring assistance if
needed.
Rewards
There are many potential rewards for TechnoKats members.
Scholarships
 Each graduating senior will receive a college scholarship of $100 per full year of team
membership.
 More than sixteen million dollars in other scholarships were available for FIRST Team members
last year. Check out the list on the FIRST web site: http://www.usfirst.org/scholarships
Internships
 Experienced TechnoKats are exposed to and preferred for internships with Delphi and other
companies.
 Delphi and AndyMark have hired college-aged interns at their Kokomo facilities.
Experience
 Many corporations across the nation are participating in FIRST and want to hire FIRST students.
Being on a FIRST team exposes students to these corporations and also helps teach the skills that
these companies desire.
High School Varsity Letter
 Students who meet travel requirements, are active members for 2 years, participate in at least
50% of off-season activities, attend at least 50% of meetings, attend at least 3 competitions per
year, and take a lead role on a special project can earn a KHS TechnoKats varsity letter. See
application on p. 19.
13
Finances
The team is fortunate to have excellent sponsors. Delphi serves as the main financial sponsor and
provides equipment and other materials.
Costs covered by Delphi:







FIRST Competition entry fees
Robot parts and materials
Playing field costs
Portion of team uniforms
Regional competition travel
Championship travel for engineering mentors
Senior scholarships
Costs covered by TechnoKats not-for-profit “club fund” (funded by team, parents, and student
fundraising):
 Non-FIRST competition costs
 Various materials and supplies
Costs covered by Kokomo-Center School Corporation:
 Teacher sponsor contracts
 Championship travel for teachers
 Bus transportation
Costs covered by students/ family:
 Food for travel
 Championship hotel cost
Fundraising
Students raise money in order to travel to the FIRST Championship event. Trip costs are typically $300$400. The primary fundraising projects are the “Win-win” discount cards, with Kokomo area merchants
providing special offers to cardholders, and the FIRST lightbulbs. Cards are sold for $5, with $4 of the
money going toward the seller’s account to pay student travel costs. Working at AndyMark is also an
opportunity for students to raise money toward their travel accounts.
14
Student Involvement
TechnoKats students have many ways to be involved with the team. In the fall, they participate in the team
events, training sessions, and meetings. In January, the competition season begins with a Saturday kick-off
FIRST live webcast. Beginning in January, students will become more active and use the skills they learned
in the off season. Some opportunities are available for students during the season include:
 Team leadership positions
 Mechanical design
 Electrical design and wiring
 Software development
 Shop management, part fabrication, and assembly
 Marketing, writing, public relations, and media publications
 Fundraising
 CAD and 3D animation
 Strategy development and robot operation
 Photography and videography
 Web design
Student Membership Eligibility
Recognizing that students are involved in other activities, the TechnoKats accommodate various levels of
student participation. In order to be considered an “active” member, a student must meet these requirements:
 Attend at least 50% of all team activities between January 4 (kickoff meeting) and February 28
(robot ship date)
 Meet team grade requirements
 Be productive on the team and comply with TechnoKats “shop rules”
Travel and Commitment Deadlines
Only active team members are permitted to travel with the team and participate in team competitions.
Students must also meet the team grade requirements in order to be active, as described in this handbook.
While traveling with the team, students will stay in hotels. There will be up to four students in each room,
sharing two double or queen beds. Students need to communicate any special needs regarding travel to team
mentors and the team travel coordinator at least a week in advance of travel.
Family members are encouraged to attend competitions with the team. They can either plan their own travel
or work through the team’s lead teacher for travel arrangements. If parents are using team arrangements,
they must abide by the guidelines of the team travel coordinator and will be responsible for all costs
associated with travel.
Any person traveling with the team must commit by writing a check and giving it to the lead teacher on or
before Tuesday, March 4, in the amount of $100. This is a commitment deadline for all team members!
This applies to students, parents, mentors, siblings, and anyone else traveling with the team. (Delphi
15
mentors are exempt from this deposit, but must still commit to their travel status at that time.) Parents
traveling with the team must pass a background check before traveling.
Final travel money for the Championship is due on Tuesday, March 25. Deposit checks will be returned
to a student if he or she has fundraised more than the required travel cost.
During the 2014 competition season, we plan to attend two Regional Competitions and the FIRST
Championship. We are committed to the Arkansas Regional in Search, Arkansas March 4-6 and the
Boilermaker Regional March 20-22, in West Lafayette, Indiana. We will also attend the FIRST
Championship event in St. Louis, Missouri April 23-27. We are fortunate to be pre-qualified as one of the
few remaining teams to have been active in the FIRST Robotics Competition each year since it began.
16
Mentor Involvement
There are many ways to mentor TechnoKats students, including:














Mechanical/Machine Design
Electrical Design and Wiring
Software Development and Programming
CAD – Design, Drafting, Animation
Metalworking and Part Fabrication
Carpentry and Construction
Project Leadership
Marketing and Public Relations
Fundraising and Financial Management
Video and Graphic Publications
Machine Shop Management
Strategy Development and Coaching
Travel Coordination
Event Planning
Lead Mentors
A lead technical mentor is expected to commit to the following:
FALL (PRE-SEASON) ACTIVITIES
September: attend 3 meetings at the shop
October:
attend 4 meetings at the shop
form and attend team workshops
November: attend 4 meetings at the shop
form and help with Delphi tour if available
December: attend 2 meetings at the shop
help with Ball Drop preparation and setup
BUILD SEASON ACTIVITIES
January & February:
attend kickoff
attend and lead shop work session one weekday per week
attend Saturday work sessions as available
visit shop after work to check on progress in area of responsibility
(minimum of 6 afternoon/evening work sessions and 3 Saturdays)
Adults associated with the TechnoKats are encouraged to help out in any way they can assist the team.
The efforts of these mentors must be student-focused and within the spirit of FIRST.
Adults volunteer their time to act as coaches and mentors by working with the students during team
meetings, after regular work hours, during weekend work sessions, at special events, and at FIRST
competitions.
17
Application for Competition Roles
The purpose of this application is to help choose the best students for competition roles on the 2014
TechnoKats Robotics Team.
1. Complete and return application to Mr. Diener by Thursday, February 20, 2014.
2. Drive Coach tests students. All students must earn at least 70% on the team test to travel. Drive
team, Scouting Lead, and Strategist must earn at least 90%. The Pit Boss and Spirit Leader will be
selected by lead mentors.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Year in school:
9
Years on TechnoKats:  1
Cumulative GPA: ______
 10
 11
 12
2
3
4
Fall 2013 Semester GPA: ______
Competition Positions:
Number your top three choices in order of preference.
_____
Driver
_____
Scouting Lead
_____
Operator
_____
Pit Boss
_____
Human Player
_____
Spirit Lead
_____
Other ______________________________________
_______ Strategist
Other after-school activities (January-April 2014):
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions on the back of this page or type on separate paper:
1. Why are you interested in representing the TechnoKats in this position? (150-350 words)
2. What skills and abilities do you have that would benefit the team? (200-400 words)
3. In your own words, describe "Gracious Professionalism". Use an example, if you wish. (100-200
words)
18
Application for TechnoKat Varsity Letter
Name: ____________________________________________________
Year in school:
9
Years on TechnoKats:  1
Cumulative GPA: ______
 10
 11
 12
2
3
4
Fall 2013 Semester GPA: ______
Which competitions have you attended:
 CAGE, Oct. 2013
 Purdue, March 2014
 Arkansas Regional, March 2014
 Championships, 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAGE, Oct. 2012
 Purdue, March 2013
 Baltimore, March 2013
 Championships, 2013
 Indiana State Finals, May 2013  IRI, July 2013
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CAGE, Oct. 2011
 Championships, 2012
Purdue, March 2012
 IRI, July 2012
 Queen City, March 2012
List other TechnoKats activities you’ve attended/ participated in during the last 2 school years
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
List any TechnoKats projects on which you have taken the lead position in the last 2 school years
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Turn completed application in to Mr. Diener by Tuesday, April 29
19
Travel Expectations
General Expectations:
Students should always be in groups of 2 or more (minimum of three if there are mixed genders).
Be alert! If there is anything suspicious, report it to a mentor.
Bus Expectations:
Every seat should just be all-male or all-female. The only exception to this is family.
Hotel Expectations:
Students are not allowed to be in the hotel room of someone of the opposite gender.
Bed checks will typically be at 10:00pm.
After bed check students are expected to stay in the room (no ice or vending machine runs). The
student doors will be taped.
The tape will be removed a half hour before breakfast
Keep the hotel rooms clean. The mentors may check room cleanliness at check-out
Venue Expectations:
Students should report to the mentor in charge of their sub-group (scouting, pits, and drive team)
before leaving that area.
Relationships
As the team travels, as well as in the shop and at all team activities, school rules expressed in the
Lens will be followed.
Students are expected to refrain from Public Displays of Affection (PDA) including handholding, kissing, back massages, etc.
Students who are dating will be expected to meet with the lead teacher prior to travel, and as a
condition of travel, to review expectations.
20
Student Contract
By signing below, I acknowledge that I understand and agree to these rules and conditions:
1. I have read the TechnoKats 2013-2014 Team Handbook and will adhere to team expectations.
2. I understand that I am responsible for arranging my transportation to and from the TechnoKats
shop at Duke Energy.
3. I understand that I am responsible for all make-up work while absent form school for team travel.
4. I understand that I am responsible for my schoolwork. If any of my grades are below a C- during
the grade checking period prior to an official FIRST competition trip, then I will not travel with
the team to the event. If I don’t meet the grade requirements, then I can only attend the event as a
spectator and many not participate in any team activities during the event. AP classes are not an
exception.
5. I understand that I can seek tutoring and should attend any offered study table sessions if my
grades are low enough to keep me from traveling with the team.
6. I understand that I must pass the 2014 Game Test with at least 70% in order to travel with the
team. I understand that I may retake the test up to once per day until one week prior to travel.
7. I understand that in order to be on the Drive Team, the Scouting Lead, or the Strategist, I must
pass the test with at least 90%.
8. I understand that I may not use any machines in the shop until I have passed the team approved
training program and a mentor has signed off on this. I will not use machines unless at least 2
mentors are present in the shop.
9. I agree to safely use all tools and equipment while working in the TechnoKats shop. I respect the
severity of a possible accident and understand that I may be sent home or dismissed from the
team if I don’t work safely.
10. I understand that safety in the shop is important. I will not participate in “horseplay” in the shop
and will follow posted instructions. I will follow mentors’ instructions.
11. I understand that I must maintain an acceptable level of productivity while in the shop and at
team activities.
12. I understand that all off-season projects must be approved by the lead teacher before any work on
the project begins.
13. I understand that supplies in the shop were purchased through funding from our sponsors
specifically for team activities. I will not use the team’s materials for personal projects without
permission from the lead teacher.
14. I understand that I am expected to follow all TechnoKats rules, as stated in the team handbook, as
well as the policies in the KHS Lens. I understand that if I am asked to leave an event or the
shop I am expected to do so. I understand that I may be dismissed from the team immediately if I
do not follow the rules.
15. I understand that if I break team rules while traveling, I will be sent home immediately at my
family’s expense.
16. I will respect Duke Energy property and will follow posted TechnoKats Shop rules.
____________________________
Student’s Signature
________________________
Parent’s Signature
21
______
Date
TechnoKats Shop
Location
The TechnoKats shop is located two blocks
north of Kokomo High School at the Duke
Energy facility at 1619 West Deffenbaugh
Street.
Parking
Regular team parking is in the west parking
lot. There should be a minimum of 4 empty
spaces available for Duke employees at all
times. If there are fewer than 4 empty spots
available, please park in the east parking lot.
There is a walkway from the west parking lot along the side of the building to a gate in the fence. A set of
stairs leads up from the gate to the loading dock area on the south side of the building. The shop entrance
is the westernmost overhead door on the covered loading dock.
We will park in the southeast corner of the employee lot when taking a bus to an out-of-town event.
Shop Map
The shop is divided into 28 areas.
22
Contact Information
TECHNOKATS ROBOTICS TEAM
Web site
Shop telephone
http://www.technokats.org/
765-454-6106
TECHNOKATS LEAD MENTORS
Alan Anderson
Mike Carmain
Ben Diener
Mark Zehner
765-451-3463
765-451-7087
574-238-3616
765-451-8272
alan.anderson@technokats.org
michael.carmain@technokats.org
ben.diener@technokats.org
mark.zehner@technokats.org
DELPHI ELECTRONICS & SAFETY
Delphi
765-451-5101
KOKOMO SCHOOLS
Kokomo Area Career Center
Kokomo High School
765-455-8021
765-454-7000
FIRST
Web site
FIRST Headquarters
http://www.usfirst.org/
800-871-8326
frcteams@usfirst.org
603-666-3906
PARTS SUPPLIERS
Small Parts
PIC Design
McMaster-Carr
Grainger
National Instruments
AndyMark
http://www.smallparts.com/
http://www.pic-design.com/
http://www.mcmaster.com/
http://www.grainger.com/
http://www.ni.com/
http://www.andymark.com/
MEDIA
Kokomo Tribune
Kokomo Perspective
WZWZ 92.5 FM
WWKI 100.5 FM
765-459-3121
765-452-0055
765-453-1212
765-459-4191
23