Chairman’s & Outreach

The Chairman’s Award department, managed by Marina, organizes our team’s outreach, and presents the information to the judges at the competition. Our team hosts FIRSTFare, Girls' Generation, and the BunnyBot competition, so our department coordinates our team’s involvement in setting up for and running the events. We write the Chairman’s Award essay, collaborate with the video department to produce the Chairman’s Award video, and present about our team’s work to judges at the competitions we attend.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis department, led by Eli and Tucker, manages the scouting and data tracking aspects of the team. As robots compete, it is the job of the competitive analysis department to analyze and quantify their potential in relation to other teams. On the first day of the competition, the team fans out throughout the pits with iPads and cameras to take notes on each robot. During competition matches, data is inputted on a custom scouting interface designed by Eli. The data then is run through algorithms generated fresh each year for each new challenge. Eventually, the algorithm spits out a ranking score. This score is then compared with subjective comments to create a pick list. The competitive analysis department ultimately plays a huge role in the success of the team because the list used to pick alliance partners. We enjoy our Red Bull neither shaken nor stirred.

Software
The Software department writes the software for our robots and driver's station.  This software, written in C++ or Java is what's responsible for the smooth control and ease of driving of our robots.  The department is managed by Casey.

Control Systems

Control Systems department, co-managed by Anne and Alex, is responsible for the designing the electronics and wiring the robot. Control Systems works with the Software and Fabrication departments to fit the needs of each robot.

Marketing

The marketing department is responsible for the image of the team, as well as the promotion of FIRST and Team 1540 at any event. Marketing organizes all of Team 1540’s assemblies, designs any team apparel and ultimately organizes any team spirit activities. The marketing department includes the mascot, who makes appearances at different off-season events. Marketing also oversees the manufacturing of the 100s of buttons that our team gives out throughout the year.

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering department, co-managed by Mint, Keegan, Eve and Tucker, is responsible for the design and fabrication of our prototype and final robots.  For the first two days of build season, the entire team participates in brainstorming strategies and robot designs. Over the next one or two weeks, teams of around three mechanical engineering department members, each led by a senior leader, design and prototype specific subsystems of the robot. After designs for specific parts of the robot are developed, tested, and integrated into one robot design, the small design teams merge, and all Mechanical Engineering students work to build our prototype, then final, robot.

Video

The video department, led by Tucker, works closely with the Marketing and Chairman’s departments in order to successfully integrate multimedia into our outreach. The video department creates annual videos such as the Chairman’s video or compilations and highlights to be shown at school assemblies. Video also create unique videos each year. This year, to accompany and document our new event. The video department hopes to make strides towards a large integration of video moving forward.