Getting Started

Gearing Up "Team in a Box" DVD

Starting a FIRST Robotics team may seem overwhelming when you begin, but it is well worth the time and effort. Focusing on the Gracious Professionalism ethos of FIRST is to encourage high-quality work. The Miss Daisy Team, featured in Gearing Up, are encouraging others with a DVD to help rookie teams get started. The ‘Team in a Box’ project was created in 2004 and will help guide you through the different phases of FIRST. Information is geared towards FIRST Robotic and FIRST Lego League teams.

The DVD guide gives valuable information on:

• what to expect throughout the process
• organizing a team
• learning about the new challenge game
• how to survive the six-week build season
• what happens at a competition
• what to do during the off-season
• how to arrange team sub-groups
• how to give demonstrations
• how to get parents involved with the program
• tips on how to successfully build a robot
• how to prepare award submissions

Interviews integrated into the video gives another perspective of FIRST. In addition to the DVD, the accompanying CD provides a resource center for teams to refer to. Producing a sponsorship video, tips and a collection of templates for common tasks in FIRST are included. 

Ready to get started?  View the presentation Team 341 made at the 2007 Kickoff Event in Manchester, NH about Team in a Box and the progress it has made.

Here’s the contact to order the DVD.