business plan  

2017-2018  

 

Presented by: Friends of BizarBots Robotics

Dear Prospective Sponsors,

My name is Kevin Monteith, I am the head coach and co-founder of the BizarBots Robotics Team at

Holbrook Middle High School. I founded the BizarBots robotics team in the fall of 2013 with my dad. Our

first year we gathered a small group of dedicated students and entered them in the Vex Robotics

Competition. With a small contribution from the school and fundraising we were able to compete in

several competitions throughout the year. Our second year, we participated in FRC(First Robotics

Competition) and won many awards for our team and robot. The next year we also competed in FRC and

were challenged with funding and mentors. We then took last year off from FRC because of funding and

our team manager(My dad) passed away from pancreatic cancer. This year we are trying to make a

comeback and we have expanded to younger grades and have started two FTC(First Tech Challenge)

teams. Although we have the motivation and dedication we need support from businesses like yours.

Maintaining a robotics team not only requires extensive monetary capital, but immense amounts of

human capital. I am writing to you on behalf of the team to ask for any support that you may be able

contribute. We are seeking to obtain the assistance of engineers, programmers, artists, businesspeople,

and other professionals, as well as monetary support. Without the support of businesses like you, we

would not be able to continue our pursuit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

education.

With the BizarBots all Holbrook students will have the chance to learn and develop many new skills.

They will be learning not only engineering and design skills, but will also be developing leadership,

business, public speaking, coaching, and communication skills. We are looking to provide these students

the necessary skills to become the next leaders in our community and beyond.

Our team is made up of 45 hardworking and intelligent students who are excelling not only in STEM but

also other aspects of school and our community. It is companies such as yours that we hope will enable

us to continue learning and applying the engineering skills that will shape our future. We seek more than

financial support and hope to build ongoing relationships with our sponsors. In exchange, we offer

recognition for our sponsors through logo placement on our banners, robot, and team t-shirts. We’ll

provide links to your company website through our own. Our sponsors are also proudly announced at all

FIRST competitions. Thank you for your support.

If you would like a demonstration of our work we would be happy to set up a meeting with you and your

company. Thank you for your time. We look forward to meeting with you and welcoming you to the

team.

Sincerely,

Kevin Monteith

Head Robotics Team Coach

 

 

Our Origin:

The Bizarbots, team 5494, were founded in October 2013 by Richard Monteith, the head of the

science department at Holbrook Junior Senior High School. He initiated the team with his son, Kevin

Monteith. Their goal was to advance STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) in Holbrook

and get students interested in engineering. The team was originally composed of about 10 members

with Kevin as the only mentor. Within the past three years, the team has expanded to 45 members and

8 mentors.

The Bizarbots are part of a larger organization called FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and

Recognition of Science and Technology). The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be leaders in

science and technology by engaging them in mentor-based programs that build science, engineering,

and technology skills, while also building self-esteem, life skills, and community awareness.

Our Mission Statement:

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology pioneers by engaging them in community projects and mentor-based programs that build science, math, engineering, and technology skills and foster self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Through the program, students are able to:

● Apply engineering principles to the design, build, and operation of robots for competitions

● Learn to use CAD (computer-aided design) and other engineering software

● Obtain hands-on experience with multi-disciplinary collaborative problem solving

● Program robots for both autonomous and human operated modes

● Travel to competitions

● Volunteer in their community

● Network with industry and engineering firms and companies

● Collaborate with students and mentors from other robotics teams across the nation

Team Organization:  

45 students

8 mentors

2 coaches

1 teacher

FIRST FRC Robotics Competition (FRC) 

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a

nonprofit organization whose goals are to introduce students to the world

of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Some of the world’s

leading technology companies support this organization: GM, Motorola, Google, Chrysler, Johnson &

Johnson, NASA, Boeing, National Instruments, FedEx, Boston Dynamics and Xerox to name a few.

The FIRST FRC Robotics Competition is the varsity level competition within the FIRST

organization. FRC unites high school students with engineering and technology mentors in a global

competition of over 2,500 teams. The competition begins on the first Saturday in January, when the

game rules are released to the teams. The robots compete in challenges that change every year. From

ball shooting to hanging game pieces on a grid, the games differ dramatically with each season. After the

rules are released, teams have just six short weeks to design and build a robot to play the given game.

The teams compete at regional events across the country, and the best of the best move on to the world

championship event held in April of each year.

FRC is built on the principles of Gracious Professionalism and cooperation. These ideals provide

an ethic that is unique amongst most teams and clubs. FRC teams do not just strive to win each event

they compete in; they also try to make sure that the rest of the teams competing are performing at their

best and that everyone is having a good time. Older FRC teams mentor younger ones to collectively

.develop more competitive machines. FRC also stresses the development of each student outside of

their technical skills. Each FRC team is run like a small corporation. Not only do these teams have to

make a successful product (the robot) but in most cases market their team, develop a business plan,

manage the finances for the competition, and produce an annual report called a Chairman’s Award

Entry. The Chairman’s Award, FIRST’s highest honor, celebrates a team that best models the ideals of

FIRST in all aspects, focusing heavily on community partnerships and outreach. FRC is the “hardest fun”

high school students can have. It builds confidence, qualities, and skills that students will take with them

for the rest of their lives.

FIRST FTC Robotics Competition (FTC) 

It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (10+

members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate

robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.

Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!”

Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles

(like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing

ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages,

including Java. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community

outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college

scholarships. Each season concludes with Super-Regional Championships and an exciting FIRST

Championship.

The positive impact on FIRST Tech Challenge participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 86%

have more interest in doing well in school and 87% are more interested in attending college.

FIRST Tech Challenge teams get to:

● Design, build, and program robots

● Apply real-world math and science concepts

● Develop problem-solving, collaboration, and team-building skills

● Build and become strong leaders

● Understand and practice Gracious Professionalism™

● Cooperate and compete in alliances at tournaments

● Compete for awards on and off the field

● Participate in a tiered competition that culminates at the FIRST Championship

2018 competed with two robots at canton high school,the team consisted of about 30 children from the

grades 6,7,and 8.They had an excellent experience learning how to use and produce a working robot.

 

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) 

The VEX Robotics Design System, developed by Innovation FIRST Inc., is a

construction system based in Texas. It is the modern-day “Erector Set.” It

allows students to gain engineering knowledge through hands-on development of robotic systems.

The VEX Robotics Competition is managed by The Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, has

over 4,800 teams from 20 countries in 300 tournaments each year. Small groups of students design and

construct robots, while also building a foundation in engineering, math, and science.

Travel costs to the regional VEX Competition are minimal due to many being held in Worcester.

A smaller challenge than the FIRST Robotics Competition, Bizarbots uses VRC to introduce students and

new schools to competitive robotics. VRC’s smaller size allows students to recreate robot designs until

finding optimal solutions to game challenges. Through VRC participation, Bizarbots hopes to teach

younger students and support the growth of educational robotics programs at more schools within its

community.

SeaPerch 

SeaPerch, an underwater robotics program, equips teachers and students with resources needed to

build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) both in and out of school. The ROV is built from a

kit of low-cost and accessible parts, following a teaching curriculum of basic engineering and science

with an encompassing theme of marine engineering. SeaPerch allows students an opportunity to learn

about robotics and STEM while building an underwater ROV.

SeaPerch teaches basic skills in ship and submarine design and encourages students to explore these

principles. It can be used as an introduction to basic science and engineering concepts, tool safety, and

technical procedures. Through the experiences with SeaPerch, students become exposed to the exciting

careers possible in naval architecture and marine engineering.

Community Outreach 

The Bizarbots Robotics Team is committed to helping both our local

and international community, which is why every member of our

team is required to complete at least 10 hours of community service.

Students volunteer at a variety of events from cleanups to blood

drives in order to give back to the community. So far this year the

team has participated in a local food drive and done a Halloween

fundraiser for the UNICEF emergency and disaster relief fund.

We have also partnered with the Enabling the Future foundation which is an amazing group of

individuals from all over the world who are using their 3D printers to create free 3D printed hands and

arms for those in need of an upper limb assistive device.

They are people who have put aside their political, religious, cultural and personal differences – to come

together and collaborate on ways to help improve the open source 3D printable designs for hands and

arms for those who were born missing fingers or who have lost them due to war, disease or natural

disaster.

The e-NABLE Community is made up of teachers, students, engineers, scientists, medical professionals,

tinkerers, designers, parents, children, scout troops, artists, philanthropists, dreamers, coders, makers

and everyday people who just want to make a difference and help to “Give The World A Helping Hand.”

Program Goals

Short Term Goals:

● Cultivate the abilities and character of all team

members

● Compete for awards at competitions such as the

Chairman, Creative, and Engineering Inspiration

Awards.

● Begin and mentor engineering teams

● Host and volunteer at robotics tournaments and

events

● Get more mentors to teach various skills to the

students

Long Term Goals:

● Gain recognition for STEM

● Support the growth of educational robotics

and STEM programs

● Strengthen our local community through

volunteer outreach

● Inspire people to be exceptional

● Expand robotics within the

community

● Gain multiple Sponsors

Influences other fields besides STEM graphic

Design, Writing, Business Skills, Logistics, and

Media.

● Advertise our team and a consistent

logo through online merchandise stores, our

local newspaper, and active platforms, which

will be ran by designated students

● Recruit new mentors by exposing

Bizarbots Robotics to the high school and

middle school, and reaching out to sponsors

and parents

● Acquire new team members by holding classes at a local library to teach many aspects of

computer literacy, attend STEM nights for lower grades, and go to every open house at each

section of our school

Success Measures

95% of the Bizarbots members who have decided to attend college have majored in the STEM fields

75% of those seniors are currently mentoring the team.

Program Benefits

For Students

● Engineering and technology literacy

● Business development and communication

skills

● Community outreach and service

● Internship opportunities

● Leadership and project management

experience

● Cooperation and collaboration skills

● Homework help and tutoring

● Over 16 million dollars in scholarship

opportunities

● Exposure to STEM career opportunities

● Strengthens logic skills

● Able to apply school curriculum to real world

projects Increased interest in STEM

● Develops creativity

● Character building and personal growth

● Promotes self confidence

For Mentors

● Enriching opportunity

● Community service

● Engineering and technological

experience

● Project management and leadership

experience

For Schools

● Exposes students to Math, Science, Engineering , Business, Finance, Computer Science,

Fabrication, and Language Arts Education to foster a love of learning

● Promotes STEM Education

● Character building program

● Recognition

● More independent and engaged students

For Sponsors

● Creates networking opportunities for

interns and future employees

● Engages employees in volunteerism

opportunities

● Provides employees with team-building

opportunities

● Recognition and respect within the

community

 

Summary of Growth 

Autumn 2013 – 10 Students

● 3 competitions a year

April, 2014 -- 30 Students

● Increased interest in STEM

● Potential involvement in FRC

November, 2014 – 60 Students

● Savage Soccer Competition, won a total of four awards

● Involvement in FRC

March, 2015 - 60 Students

● Participated in two district FRC events

● Won Rookie Inspiration, Rookie All-Star, and Highest Rookie Seed awards

● Our alliance placed fifth in quarterfinals in the Rhode Island District Event

August, 2015

● Became a 501c(3) organization

● Won Savage Soccer Competition

● Ran a summer camp to increase interest in STEM

September, 2015 - 25 Students

● Savage Soccer 3rd place

February, 2016

● Competed in 2 district events

● Went from CAD to physical robot

● Prototyped our entire robot digitally in order to reduce costs and design time

September, 2016

● Won Savage Soccer competition

● Rebuilding year (did not compete in FIRST) due to monetary constraints

Actions being taken to Grow and Develop the Team:

● Video and print promotion within the school and local media

● Robotics presentations to prospective younger students

● Fall Open House to recruit interested students

● Year-Round work on technical and outreach activities

● Interviews and formal feedback from student team members and parents

● Formal business planning

● Foster stronger community partnerships with local high schools and organizations

Organization/Structure

Our students are incorporated in all aspects of the team and are not constrained to a single area of

work. Consequently, students have opportunities to explore and participate in multiple fields of

engineering and business. In a progressive environment like this, we hope to foster a more nurturing

and enlightening experience for the students. However, we do incorporate some form of structure into

the team in order to maintain balance and communication.

The Board of Directors is a committee of adult mentors who make overarching decisions about the

team’s decisions and finances. They meet very rarely and mostly function as a moderator to the

students and mentors.

Student officers are two student members elected by the Board of Directors to represent and lead the

team as a whole. They conduct the required bi-weekly team meetings and make minor decisions within

the team.

Department Heads are three students who administer and mentor other students in specific facets of

robotics. This year, our three departments are C.A.D and programming, fundraising and media, and

build.

Marketing Strategy

Targets and Goals

Students in our schools

● Spark an interest in STEM, join the team, and participate in events Students in other High Schools

● Spark an interest in STEM, start a team at their school, participate in events Students in elementary and middle schools

● Spark an interest in STEM, enroll at one of our schools for high school, start a team at their

school, participate in events Parents

● Inform parents about the team’s activities ● Ask them to mentor and support the team ● Encourage them to find mentors and sponsors for the team

The General Public

● Promote educational robotics programs and their benefits ● Support programs in their community ● Spread programs to new communities

Methods

Website (www.bizarbots.org) ● Hosts information about our team, programs, and robots.

● Links to all of our other media outlets.

● Holds resources for other teams and members of our own team.

Twitter (www.twitter.com/bizarbots) ● Allows for us to broadcast our activities to many people and other robotics teams.

● We also promote engineering through links to interesting news and articles for our team

members and others.

Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BizarBots) ● Easy access to the activities of the team along with photos and videos of our projects.

YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/BizarBots) ● To display our competitions and progress

Instagram (@bizarbots)

● A creative way to share photos of our team

Handouts and Flyers

● Direct media to students in our school and to the community about our events.

Town Television Program (HCAM)

● We have been featured on HCAM at school committee meetings and various events. They

have featured coverage of one of our fundraisers and even created a thirty minute

documentary of our 2014-2015 FRC season.

Newspaper articles (Holbrook Sun & Holbrook Hub)

● This allows us to reach an audience that doesn’t normally attend our events.

Recruitment, Attendance, participation and Behavior Recruitment:

● In the beginning of the school year, we have everyone who is interested in the Robotics club

come and meet together. Then we explain what our club is about and what we do in our club.

● We also tell people they are always invited to join the team.

Attendance:

● The students come back each week because they want to get the robot finished, they are willing

to come and do the work to try to have their robot be the best it can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROJECTED Financial Expenses 

FRC Costs

Event Cost Notes

2 FRC District Event Registrations $5,000 (Potential Grant; Received one for 2014-2015 Season)

FRC District Championship $4,000 (Dependent on success at District Events)

FRC Regional Registration $4,000

FRC Championship Registration $5,000 (Dependent on success at District Championship)

FRC Construction Budget $10,000

FRC Away Regional Hotel $6,000

Transportation to FRC Championship $8,000

Hotels for FRC Travel $8,000

Transportation $7,000

Total $57,000

FTC Costs

Event Cost Notes

FTC team registration $550 Two FTC robotics teams

FTC Construction Budget $2,000 Two complete competition kits

FTC Misc Parts & Supplies $400 Unforeseen parts and supplies not accounted for in the planned build

FTC Tournament Registration $300 Two tournaments for two teams

FTC State Championship Registration $400 Registration for the state championship for two teams

Transportation $8,000 Transportation to and from three competitions

T-shirts $1,000 T-shirt making supplies

Total $12,250

VEX EDR Costs

Event Costs Notes

VEX Registration $500

VEX League Registration $400

VEX Regional Registration #1 $300

VEX Regional Registration #2 $300

VEX Worlds Registration $750

FRC Construction Budget $10,000

VEX Robot Parts $2,000

Transportation to VEX Championship $4,000 Airfare for 20 students

Hotels for VEX Championship $4,000

Total $22,250

VEX IQ

Event Cost Notes

First Lego League $3,000

Travel For First Lego League Competition $3,000

VEX IQ Parts $1,500

VEX IQ Transportation $3,000

VEX IQ Registration $800

Total $11,300

Misc

Event Costs Notes

Miscellaneous $2,000 Banners, Handouts, etc.

Tools and Machines $5,000

Laptops and Tablets $3,000

Saturday Build Lunches $2,000

Total $12,000

 

Beyond materials cost, the team is also in need of mentors that could help in the following areas:  

CAD:

Work with students focusing on the use of CAD from idea formation to assembly integration.

Electrical:

Work with students focusing on various aspects of electrical components from motor selection to wiring

implementation and component placement.

Programming Work:

Work with students focusing on target systems and GUI software to support the testing and operation of

robots and robot features.

Engineering Design:

Work with the team to pick a strategy, design a robot, manage robot creation, and lead/advise on the

design of a robot feature.

Mechanical:

Help students build structurally sound robots for both VEX and FIRST competitions in the future

Website:

Teach students how to build and manage a website.

Graphic Design:

Create improved banners, logos, team handouts, and t-shirts for upcoming competitions

Finance:

Help students manage team funds and assist with fundraising.

Prototyping:

Assist with the design of robots and teach the students how to create a basic prototype.

Social Media:

Work with students to manage social media sites.

 

 

   

Degrees of Sponsorship  

Friends of BizarBots - $1-$49

Website: Name on sponsorship page.

Memorabilia: “Thank you” letter.

Pewter Sponsor - $50-$100

Website: Link on sponsorship page.

Social media “Shoutout” on Team Facebook, Twitter page and Instagram Page.

Memorabilia: “Thank you” letter.

Bronze Sponsor - $101-$250

Website: Link on sponsorship page.

Social media “Shoutout” on Team Facebook and Twitter page.

Memorabilia: “Thank you” letter and a BizarBots T-shirt.

Banner: Business card size logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Line of text on shirt (worn at events and tournaments).

Silver Sponsor - $251 - $500

Robot: Business card size logo of business.

Banner: Business card size logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Line of text on shirt (worn at events and tournaments).

Website: Logo and link on sponsorship page.

Memorabilia: Thank you letter, framed signed photograph of Team, 2 BizarBots tshirt.

Gold Sponsor - $501 - $1000

Robot: Small logo of business.

Banner: Small logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Small logo on the backs of team shirts (worn at events and tournaments).

Website: Logo and link on sponsorship page.

Memorabilia: Thank you letter, framed signed photograph of Team, 3 BizarBots tshirt.

Platinum Sponsor - $1001 - $5000

Robot: Medium logo of business.

Banner: Medium logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Medium logo on back of shirts (worn at events and tournaments).

Website: Logo & link on sponsorship page.

Memorabilia: Thank you letter, framed signed photograph of Team,BizarBots Sweatshirt, 2

BizarBots t-shirt.

Titanium Sponsor -$5,001 - $15,000

Robot: Medium logo of business.

Banner: Large logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Large logo on back of shirts (worn at events and tournaments).

Website: Logo & link on sponsorship page and logo on first page.

Memorabilia: Thank you letter, framed signed photograph of Team,BizarBots Sweatshirt, 3

BizarBots t-shirt.

Invitation to end of year celebration.

Kryptonite Sponsor - $15,000+

Tournaments: Your Company will be thanked during competition alliance selections nationally

televised on the Discovery Channel and on tournament travel invitations.

Robot: Large logo of business.

Banner: Large logo (displayed at events and tournaments).

Team Shirts: Large logo on back of shirts (worn at events and tournaments).

Website: Logo & link on sponsorship page and logo on first page.

Memorabilia: Thank you letter, framed signed photograph of Team,BizarBots Sweatshirt, 10

BizarBots t-shirt.

End of Year demonstration of the robot at your company.

Invitation to end of year celebration.

Contact Information

BizarBots Robotics

Attention: Kevin Monteith

245 South Franklin Street

Holbrook, MA 02343

Phone: 774-222-0650

Email: bizarbots@gmail.com

Website: BizarBots.org