Leopard Spots in the Community
The Leopards define FIRST as a commitment for students, mentors, and parents to make a difference in the world, in essence to leave our Spot on the world. We like to think of leaving our spot as a leopard leaving its paw print wherever it goes. The Leopard spots we leave are how we spread the message of FIRST and the way we impact the community. The first step for us means giving back to the school that has given so much to us. Here are some of the spots left on the wall and halls of Booker T. Washington and The High School for Engineering Professions.
Back to school! The Leopards ushered in the new school year by participating in orientation workshops for incoming freshmen. The topics of the workshops included structural and architectural engineering, robotics, rocketry, and careers in engineering. The Leopards showcased their 2011 FRC robot, Big Cat 14.
Representatives from the ADNOC Technical Institute in Abu Dhabi, Dubai visited the Booker T. Washington and High School for the Engineering Professions campus, to learn more about the engineering program. Student representatives from Team 57 gave a presentation on the FIRST Robotics Program. The students featured Big Cat 14 and talked about their work in the community with FLL and EARLY robotics teams. The Dubai representatives were very impressed with the FIRST program and plan to work with the school to implement programs at schools in Dubai.
Since the team's inception, the Leopards have always tried to leave the community better than we found it. We are assisting with FRC workshops while mentoring new FRC teams. Team members volunteer at all of the robot competitions in Houston which include EARLY, FLL, BEST, VEX and FIRST. The most recent activity that we are extremely proud of is the student mentorship program with area middle schools.
Houston Energy DayTeam 57 was invited to participate in Energy Day Houston held at Hermann Square in downtown Houston. Energy Day Houston featured activities energy STEM activities for children K-12. Team 57 students did a demonstration with their FRC robot "Big Cat" 14. Energy Day attendees had the opportunity to race the Team 57 minibot and feed tubes to "Big Cat" 14. The Leopards also had First Lego League activities to promote the program. As a result of Team 57's participation in Houston Energy Day, the principal from Booker T. Washington and the High School for the Engineering Professions, has been invited to speak at the Center for Houston's Future education symposium. She will discuss the Washington engineering program as a “best practice” at the symposium here in Houston in February 2012. |  |
| School RevitalizationOne of The Leopards Community Projects was helping our principal continue her vision of improving the school. Team 57 students, mentors and a business partner were able to update two teacher lounges with new furniture. The Leopards helped their teachers by preparing classrooms for the new school year, getting furniture for the school office and redoing two teacher lounges. In their "Give Back to Teachers Projects", The Leopards prepared welcome back bags for the teachers. |
Ongoing Outreach Programs
Tools For Teams
Team 57 has supported several fellow FIRST teams through Team Adoption and its Tools for Teams program. These programs help mentor fledgling teams and provide them with the tools they need to compete. The programs were developed out of Team 57's experience and partnership with Brazilian Heitortec Team 1772.
Since the program's inception, The Leopards have sponsored 10 teams through its Tools for Teams program. The 2012 FRC season brings many new rookies to Houston. The Leopards will adopt and sponsor two Houston area rookie teams. The teams will receive a full set of essential hand tools at the Houston kickoff.
Team 57 will continue its safety award program at the regional events. Teams that practice good safety are eligible for safety award drawing. The Leopards that good safety practices at the regional events should be rewarded.
KIVA Organization
In 2008 Team 57 participated in an organization known as KIVA. KIVA is an organization that provides personal loans to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries. It helps the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Team 57 supports the ambitions of these families and entrepreneurs to take a small investment and transform it into a self-sustaining business. From loans of as little as $25 an entrepreneur is able to purchase the necessities they need to begin a business, for instance livestock or machines. By doing this, KIVA is empowering many families to get their lives out of poverty and offering them an opportunity to achieve their goals.
Ongoing/New Program Summary
With these and other programs, Team 57 continues to make a difference in the community through its team motto of "giving back". In the 2012 season; the team will continue its long established programs such as:
- Toys for Tots
- Mentoring FRC, FLL and FTC teams
- Assisting with FRC workshops
- Volunteering at robotics competitions (FIRST, FTC, FLL, EARLY, BEST, VEX)
- Recruiting teams for FIRST programs
- FIRST robotics community demos
- HSEP Freshman Oreintation
- School Revitalization Program
- Give Back to Teacher Program
- Tools for Teams
The team values the positive experiences team members receive from participating in these programs.