Vex Robotics Summer Camp:

            When Team Driven began in 2006 they knew that in order to keep the team strong in the future something had to be done to reach younger children. Team members solved this problem with the same efficiency as any other by starting a summer camp. The first took place in the summer of 2006 with 24 elementary school students. They had no real plan as to what to do and were unsure of how successful it would be. Little did they know that two years later there would be 4 summer camps with three levels of students.
            The first year students begin with a Vex kit, a box containing the parts of a box-shaped robot. They play a teambuilding exercise that allows the staff members to divide them into teams based on their strengths in 3 categories: engineering, creativity, and leadership. These teams not only have to build a robot, they also have to make a webpage and a flyer for their team. From there students begin a 4 day work session until the final day when they compete for 1st place. Winning is not all that is focused on at camp every team receives an award of some sort, be it sportsmanship or spirit.
            After the 1st year the students enjoyed the camp experience so much that they wanted to come back for a second year. Team Driven then created the second level of camp known as Programming Camp. In Programming Camp the students learn how to build and program a basic robot.
            Finally, in “Super Camp” the 3rd level of Summer Camp students get to design, program, and build a robot in much the same way that the real Robotics Team, only adhering to a few restrictions.
The success of these camps was largely dependent on the energy and enthusiasm that the camp staff had for helping others. Everyday for 2 weeks 12 student-mentors would come together to provide guidance for the elementary school students. In this way the cycle of student-mentoring continues in the off season preparing students for life in Team Driven.

League Overview:

            After the success of the summer camps Team Driven decided to begin a Junior Vex League competition to spread the word about FIRST Robotics. It was open to anyone in Kindergarten through 8th grade and took place during the school year. In the competition teams of three formed and raised money to buy a VEX Robotics kit which they would later use to compete with.
             In 2009, Team Driven hosted its second annual Junior Vex League. 21 teams took place in the league. They were given a game and rules for the competition and 6 weeks to build and program their robot. All of this cumulated into the Junior Vex League competition which was staged almost identically to actual FIRST competitions. Team Driven Members took part not only in judging and setting up the matches but also in mentoring the teams throughout the season. By using Team Driven members as mentors Team Driven members get to ensure the future of Lee’s Summit High School Robotics.