FRC Team 980 ThunderBots supports the larger mission of FIRST:
The mission of FIRST® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Or, in the words of Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST:
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."
FIRST LEGO League
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) is a LEGO Mindstorms based robot competition for students in 5th - 8th grades. FLL is often a student’s initial exposure to FIRST and robotics, and it is an important step in laying the foundations of robotics, STEM and teamwork.
Team 980 students mentor several FLL teams in the Burbank area. Having high school students mentor elementary and middle school students is a great experience for all students involved. The younger students experience the benefit of having an older role model and the older students experience the challenges and resulting satisfaction of inspiring the next generation. Team 980 and also is working with current teams and interested families to expand FLL across BUSD.
Team 980 students and mentors volunteer at area FLL competitions, supporting FIRST in the SoCal FLL program. Several of our members are currently mentoring two Burbank area FLL teams. We are also exploring once again hosting an FLL Qualifying Tournament, this time in Burbank.
Robotics in Burbank
Team 980 holds outreach events throughout the year to raise awareness of FIRST, STEM and robotics opportunities for all students in Burbank.
We hold Robotics Open Houses at the Burbank Public Library where all library families are encouraged to interact with our robot and learn about Team 980, and how to join (or start) a FIRST robotics team.
We hold an annual Robotics / STEM camp at Burbank Public Library, specifically geared for rising 5th and 6th grade students to prepare them to join an FLL team.
We are working with BUSD NAF Academies, the BUSD Board of Education, and the Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness of, and community support for, STEM and especially robotics opportunities for every student in Burbank.