Quantum Quacks
FTC 16072 - "The Quantum Quacks" is a seventh year team composed of 5 girls and 3 boys that almost all came from successful FLL teams. Our team is composed of students from different schools in the area, including charter schools, public schools, private schools, and home schools. This means we are not eligible for the Donors Choose program which makes fundraising a little more difficult. However, it also means that we get a wide variety of different viewpoints and opinions which we believe makes us a stronger team.
We choose to do things that are new and difficult for us as we enjoy learning new things. We use the robot as a reason to learn about things we haven't done before.
We have learned how to:
We enjoy meeting and learning from experts. Last season, we met with:
In addition to informal sharing, we actively volunteer both in hosting and leading workshops as well as at FLL scrimmages and tournaments. During the Into the Deep season (2024-2023), we reached over 21,000 people!
Some examples of workshops we've run:
Our team demonstrates what it looks like to help and inspire others. One of the most memorable compliments we have received was from an FLL team, they mentioned how after watching our team, they decided to go help other teams themselves. They then told us about the positive impact that helping other teams had caused, not just for the other teams but for them as well.
This season we expect that we will not only help FLL teams but rookie FTC teams as well. We have been taking notes of the challenges we faced and how we overcome them so we can share them with rookie teams in the future.
We choose to do things that are new and difficult for us as we enjoy learning new things. We use the robot as a reason to learn about things we haven't done before.
We have learned how to:
- Use CAD (Fusion 360/OnShape)
- Use 3D printers
- Use the laser cutter
- Use Java (programming language)
- Use Computer vision (OpenCV)
- Cut extrusion
- Drill holes
- Bend metal
- Film and edit videos
- Use project management software (ClickUp).
We enjoy meeting and learning from experts. Last season, we met with:
- An engineer from Google that taught us how to effectively use version control (Git)
- Two different mechanical engineers who came back several times to continue teaching us about revising and changing our robot.
- An technical writing expert that taught us how to format our portfolio.
- An autonomous control expert that taught us about different kinds of sensors.
- An computer vision expert that taught us about reviewing our designs.
- STEM experts from a Women in STEM panel taught us about what life can be like pursuing stem as an occupation.
- An Gobilda and mechanical expert helped us with several design questions throughout the season.
In addition to informal sharing, we actively volunteer both in hosting and leading workshops as well as at FLL scrimmages and tournaments. During the Into the Deep season (2024-2023), we reached over 21,000 people!
Some examples of workshops we've run:
- We've prepared and presented numerous workshop sessions at our state's FLL and FTC kickoff every season.
- We've worked with NC State to host a Girls in STEM workshop at the college campus to introduce and encourage more girls in STEM!
- Since we're based in a neighborhood, we decided to host a community workshop so neighbors could gather and learn about what we have been up to.
- When we heard that there were few opportunities for teams on the coast, we organized and ran a workshop in Wilmington, NC for teams there. (Of course, we combined it with a beach afternoon to help with another core value, FUN!).
Our team demonstrates what it looks like to help and inspire others. One of the most memorable compliments we have received was from an FLL team, they mentioned how after watching our team, they decided to go help other teams themselves. They then told us about the positive impact that helping other teams had caused, not just for the other teams but for them as well.
This season we expect that we will not only help FLL teams but rookie FTC teams as well. We have been taking notes of the challenges we faced and how we overcome them so we can share them with rookie teams in the future.
