Off-Season Projects & Development

Setting Off-Season Goals

• Skill Development: Train rookies in CAD, machining, programming, wiring
• Process Improvement: Refine workflows, documentation, communication
• Experimentation: Try new mechanisms, materials, or programming techniques
• Team Building: Strengthen relationships and team culture
• Community Engagement: Outreach events, demos, recruitment
• Infrastructure: Organize workspace, build tools, update inventory

Creating an Off-Season Calendar

# Sample Off-Season Schedule:

May: Season wrap-up, robot repairs, post-mortem
June: Off-season competitions, community demos
July: Summer break OR robot summer camps
August: New member recruitment, mentor training
September: Rookie training begins, practice projects
October: Continue training, fundraising push
November: Advanced training, prototype mechanisms
December: Holiday break, kickoff preparation

Balancing Veterans and Rookies

• Veterans: Lead projects, mentor rookies, experiment with advanced concepts
• Rookies: Learn fundamentals through hands-on projects
• Everyone: Rotate through different roles to develop diverse skills

Mark as Complete

Practice Robot Options

Option 1: Copy Your Competition Robot

• Pros: Identical driving experience, test code without risking comp bot
• Cons: Expensive, time-consuming to build
• Best for: Well-funded teams with manufacturing capacity

Option 2: Build Previous Year's Robot

• Pros: Already have CAD and code, great rookie training project
• Cons: Not ideal for current year's driver training
• Best for: Teaching new members build process

Option 3: Simplified Drivetrain-Only Bot

• Pros: Quick to build, perfect for driver practice
• Cons: Doesn't include game mechanisms
• Best for: Teams with limited resources

Option 4: KitBot

• Pros: Easy assembly, provided in Kit of Parts
• Cons: Different from your competition robot design
• Best for: Rookie teams learning basics

Using Your Practice Robot

• Driver Training: Practice driving fundamentals, autonomous routines
• Code Testing: Test new features without risking comp robot
• Demonstrations: Bring to schools, community events, sponsor visits
• Teaching Tool: Let rookies practice wiring, programming, repairs
• Experimentation: Try modifications without breaking your competition robot

Mark as Complete

Mechanical Mini-Projects

Beginner Projects

• Gearbox Assembly: Assemble and disassemble a gearbox kit
• Wheel Mounting: Practice mounting wheels with bearings and spacers
• Chain/Belt Tensioning: Learn proper tensioning techniques
• CAD Scavenger Hunt: Find and measure parts using calipers, recreate in CAD

Intermediate Projects

• Intake Prototype: Design and build a simple ball/game piece intake
• Linear Motion System: Build an elevator or linear slide mechanism
• Custom Gearbox: Design a gearbox for specific speed/torque requirements
• Swerve Module Study: Analyze existing swerve designs

Software Mini-Projects

Beginner Projects

• Hello Robot: Make the robot print messages from different buttons
• Motor Control: Control a motor with joystick input
• LED Patterns: Program LED strips with different patterns and colors
• Sensor Reading: Read and display sensor values to dashboard

Intermediate Projects

• PID Controller: Tune PID for motor position or velocity control
• Autonomous Path: Write autonomous routine following predefined path
• Vision Tracking: Use Limelight or PhotonVision to track targets
• State Machine: Implement state machine for complex mechanism control

Electrical Mini-Projects

• Wire Management: Practice proper wire routing, labeling, and securing
• Crimp Connectors: Practice crimping different connector types
• PCB Design: Design a simple custom PCB for LED control
• CAN Bus Setup: Wire and configure CAN devices, check with Phoenix Tuner
• Sensor Integration: Wire and test limit switches, encoders, gyroscopes

Cross-Functional Team Projects

• T-Shirt Launcher: Mechanical, electrical, and programming working together
• Ball Launcher: Design, build, and program a device to launch balls
• Line-Following Robot: Build robot that autonomously follows a line
• Mini-Sumo Bot: Small competitive robot project

Mark as Complete

Robot Programming Challenges

Drivetrain Challenges

• Drive Square: Autonomously drive in perfect square using encoders
• Drive to Distance: Drive exactly X feet using encoders or vision
• Turn to Angle: Use gyroscope to turn to precise angles
• Field-Oriented Drive: Implement field-oriented control for swerve

Sensor Challenges

• Vision Target Lock: Automatically center robot on vision target
• Limit Switch Calibration: Use limit switches to find mechanism home position
• Color Sensor Sorting: Detect and respond to different colored objects
• Distance Sensing: Stop robot before hitting wall using ultrasonic/LIDAR

Mechanism Challenges

• Preset Positions: Move arm/elevator to predefined positions with button press
• Soft Limits: Prevent mechanism from moving beyond safe range
• Motion Profiling: Smooth acceleration/deceleration for mechanisms
• Automated Sequences: Chain multiple mechanism movements together

General Programming Practice

• LeetCode/HackerRank: Algorithm practice, data structures
• Advent of Code: December programming puzzles (great for winter break!)
• Project Euler: Math-focused programming challenges
• GitHub Learning Lab: Learn Git, CI/CD, and collaboration

FRC-Specific Programming Resources

• FRC Programming Done Right: Comprehensive Java/C++ guide
• WPILib Examples: Sample code for common robot tasks
• Chief Delphi: Programming Q&A, code reviews
• Team 254 Open Source Code: Study championship-level code

Mark as Complete

Types of Demonstrations

School Demonstrations

• Elementary Schools: Simple robot driving demos, "what is robotics?" talks
• Middle Schools: Interactive demos, FLL recruitment, STEM career discussions
• High Schools: Recruitment events, showcase robot capabilities
• STEM Nights: Set up booth with robot, hands-on activities

Community Events

• Local Festivals: Bring robot to parades, fairs, community celebrations
• Library Programs: Public demonstrations and Q&A sessions
• Science Centers/Museums: Featured demonstrations or residencies
• Company Open Houses: Demonstrate at sponsor facilities

Sports Events

• Halftime Shows: Drive robot during basketball/football halftime
• Pre-Game Entertainment: Engage crowd before sporting events
• Pep Rallies: Energize school spirit with robot performance

Interactive Activities for Demos

• Driving Challenge: Let kids try driving the robot (in safe environment)
• Q&A Sessions: Answer questions about robotics and FRC
• Mechanism Demonstrations: Show specific robot features up close
• STEM Challenges: Mini engineering challenges for kids to try
• Team Swag: Stickers, buttons, team cards to give away

Safety at Demonstrations

Documenting Outreach

• Take photos and videos at every event
• Track: Date, location, number of people reached, hours volunteered
• Collect testimonials from event organizers
• Post highlights on social media
• Maintain outreach database for Impact Award submission

Mark as Complete

Types of Off-Season Events

Traditional Off-Season Competitions

• Format: Similar to regular FRC competitions, using that year's or previous year's game
• Examples: Indiana Robotics Invitational (IRI), Chezy Champs, Battlcry at WPI
• Benefits: Competitive experience, networking with other teams, driver practice
• Cost: Registration fees, travel, hotel (budget accordingly)

Week Zero Events

• Format: Practice competition before official season starts
• Timing: Week before first official regional
• Benefits: Shake down your robot, identify issues before it matters
• Note: Rules vary—some are official, some are practice-only

Summer Showcases

• Format: Exhibition matches, demonstrations, not always competitive
• Benefits: Low-pressure environment, community engagement
• Ideal for: Rookie teams, testing new mechanisms

Fundraiser Events

• Format: Your team hosts/participates to raise money
• Examples: Robot soccer, robot sumo, mini-competitions
• Dual Purpose: Competition experience + fundraising

Maximizing Off-Season Competition Value

• Test New Mechanisms: Try that risky design you didn't have time to build
• Train New Drivers: Give rookies competition experience with lower stakes
• Experiment with Strategy: Try different autonomous routines or game strategies
• Network with Teams: Build relationships, share knowledge, learn from others
• Practice Pit Crew Work: Refine your repair and maintenance procedures
• Scouting Practice: Train new scouts in data collection and analysis

Hosting Your Own Off-Season Event

Once your team gains experience, consider hosting an off-season event:

• Benefits: Strengthen local FRC community, fundraising opportunity, leadership experience
• Requirements: Venue (field space, pit space), volunteers, sponsors, organization
• Timeline: Start planning 6+ months in advance
• Resources: Contact regional director, consult teams who have hosted events

Mark as Complete

Technical Skills Training

CAD & Design

• OnShape Tutorials: Complete official OnShape learning pathways
• Team Design Reviews: Analyze successful robot designs from top teams
• CAD Challenges: "Design a shooter in 2 hours" time-limited exercises
• FEA Simulation: Learn finite element analysis for part strength

Manufacturing & Machining

• Machine Certifications: Ensure all members certified on mill, lathe, bandsaw
• Precision Practice: Make parts to tight tolerances (±0.005")
• Material Science: Learn about different metals, plastics, composites
• Advanced Techniques: Waterjet, CNC, 3D printing, tube bending

Programming

• WPILib Updates: Stay current with latest WPILib features
• Git Workflow: Practice proper version control and collaboration
• Code Reviews: Regular peer review sessions
• Advanced Topics: Computer vision, path following, state space control

Electrical

• Wiring Standards: Practice FRC-legal wiring techniques
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and fix common electrical issues
• PCB Design: Learn KiCAD or Eagle for custom circuit boards
• CAN Bus Management: Proper device configuration and diagnostics

Soft Skills Development

• Public Speaking: Practice presentations, demos, interviews
• Technical Writing: Documentation, engineering notebooks, reports
• Project Management: Gantt charts, task tracking, deadlines
• Teamwork & Communication: Active listening, conflict resolution
• Leadership: Delegation, motivation, decision-making

Cross-Training

Encourage team members to learn skills outside their primary department:

• Programmers learn basic machining
• Mechanical students learn basic electrical wiring
• Technical students learn business/outreach skills
• Business students understand robot technical concepts

Mentorship Programs

• Veteran-Rookie Pairs: Assign each rookie a veteran mentor
• Skill Workshops: Veterans teach workshops on specific topics
• Shadowing: Rookies shadow veterans during projects
• Teaching to Learn: Best way to master a skill is teaching it to others

Setting Personal Goals

Have each team member set 2-3 personal development goals for the off-season:

Example Goals:
□ Learn OnShape CAD basics and design a simple mechanism
□ Complete WPILib tutorials and program a tank drive
□ Get certified on the bandsaw and mill
□ Lead a presentation to potential sponsors
□ Write documentation for our pneumatics system
□ Attend an FRC webinar or conference

Mark as Complete