FRC Team 980 ThunderBots is part of FIRST, an international robotics competition program. Team 980 is the FIRST Robotics Competition team for Burbank Unified School District students from grades 8-12, located at Burbank High School’s STEAM Lab.
Every year on the first Saturday of January, FIRST “kicks off” a new Competition challenge. Teams then have two months to design, prototype, assemble, program, and test a robot to take on the challenge and compete against teams from across the globe. The rules are strict, and resources are limited, so our team members must learn to collaborate and cooperate as they hone their teamwork skills, expand their technical knowledge, and produce a prototype robot in an environment simulating what they will face in the real world.
As part of FRC Team 980 ThunderBots, students:
- Use a state-of-the-art machine shop to learn manufacturing skills and gain hands-on experience in a high demand environment.
- Use industry leading 3D design software to create mechanical drawings and assemblies.
- Gain experience working with electrical components, circuits, and computer coding.
- Develop budget, presentation, and other entrepreneurial management skills necessary to run a small business.
- Work with a team, learning how to guide others and become a strong leader
FRC Team 980 ThunderBots is open to all BUSD students in grades 8-12. No previous experience is required and there is no fee to join. For more information, click here.
Mission Statement:
To educate and inspire high school students to become the next generation of science and technology leaders by building a competitive robot through the guidance of professional mentors, corporate sponsors, and parents in alignment with FIRST core values.
Vision:
To create a world-class, award-winning team of confident and competent student leaders, who act as a source of inspiration for their peers both in their respective schools and beyond.
Our Core Values:
Non-Discrimination Policy
Team 980 has a strict non-discrimination policy. We believe in equal opportunity to learn and grow regardless of socio-economic, ethnic, and religious background; that this team can be a place of belonging, where minority and LGBTQ+ voices can be heard. Female and nonbinary students make up 40% of our team. Our outreach mentor is one of the few women WFFA winners. We believe that it is our actions, not our traits, that define who we are.
Gracious Professionalism®
Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects both individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.
Coopertition®
Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from other teams and teaching other teams. On the field we try our hardest to win, but off the field we try our hardest to help anyone that needs it, even if we will be competing against them in the future.