Roaring Riptide’s Mission and Vision
The students on Roaring Riptide: FRC Team 4118, strive to raise awareness and excitement in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – through our local community, state, and national outreach efforts. We believe our outreach efforts help to foster the acquisition of the softer skills such as teamwork, work ethics, flexibility, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and adaptability.
Our Founding
Roaring Riptide: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 4118, was founded in 2011 at P.K. Yonge DRS in Gainesville, Florida by the school’s director, Dr. Lynda Hayes, Instructor Kerry Thompson, and Dr. Carl Crane a Professor at the University of Florida. Our first robot was built by 18 students & 7 mentors at the University of Florida’s (UF) machine shop. In our rookie year, we created a team webpage, attended a robotics fair, toured Harn Engineering, designed a surfer logo, & demoed to 1,200 PK Yonge students.
Overview of the Team’s History
The First Splash
Leading into 2013, RR demoed at the Gator Engineering Design Expo & IPPD Meeting, reaching 50. RR also secured a new practice space within a local business hub. Unfortunately, documentation for 2013 was lost.
Diving Into FIRST
In the 2014 Season, RR sought to: increase membership, start & mentor FIRST teams, host events, & expand outreach. RR used YouTube to share more about their team with a total of 1,010 views. Working with UF College of Ed & PKY, RR started FLL, Jr. Team #664, FLL Teams #3161 & 6566. RR demoed at the Art in Engineering Night & to the Civil Air Patrol reaching 1,050. With support of Team Propagator (TP) from UF, FRC Team #2486 & RR extended FLL nationally. They started FLL Team #9735 & Team #11339. These teams serve Native youth from AZ, NM, & OK – all within the Navajo Nation (NN). TP, RR, & #2486 provided two FLL kits & spirit items for their team. A RR mentor/member of TP traveled to the NN to visit 6 schools, provide 30 workshops, & taught 1,000 students.
Dozing through Orlando
With adding the Touch-A-Truck event in 2015, RR doubled its reach to 2,253. Grants from Best Buy & FIRST totaling $13,000 covered team expenses. At the competition, RR created & implemented the “Dozer” scouting app & unveiled a new logo. Earning Gracious Professionalism, FIRST Dean’s List Finalist, & Orlando (ORL) Regional Winner Awards, RR was riding the wave of inspiration into the next season.
Helping Others FLOAT
At Kickoff 2016, RR noticed that many teams that started with them in 2012 were no longer around. That day, RR helped Rookie Team #6184 leave Kickoff with an assembled & working kit bot. By supporting #6184 through the first few seasons, RR hoped to improve the team’s sustainability. Following that experience, RR launched Fostering Longevity of Adjusting Teams (FLOAT). In the FLOAT Program, teams learn about registration, competition structure, grants, design skills, spirit & imagery. Through FLOAT, RR has mentored five FRC teams #6184, 6322, 6468, 6850, & 7728.
Teamwork & Adaptability
In early 2017, RR moved into a new workspace & the lead mentor moved. Demoing in the Homecoming Parade, Open House, & at a local library, RR still reached 1,100. Students mentored FLL Teams #3161 & #9715 & hosted an FLL Qualifier. RR’s SM presence improved to 12,597 impressions. RR supported their FLOAT teams even during the roughest of waters. As a result of a student presentation, RR received the Smallwood Grant, which kept the team afloat even as the lead mentor changed again. RR was supported by UF mentors through competition, with one earning Woodie Flowers Finalist Award (WFFA).
[Re]Branding Riptide
Keeping their head above water, RR looked for the shore. Scheduling a meeting with their new coach, students shared ideas for team image, improved marketing, built outreach, & increased their impact in assistive technology (AT). During the summer, the RR Team Captain sketched a smiling stick-figure on the dry erase board, complete with red pants, visor, whistle, floaties, & fanny pack. The “lifeguard,” which would become the team’s new image, was adopted on the premise that it also fit our desire to help others through AT.
Making Waves
Ending 2018 with a splash, RR was offered four opportunities to present FIRST+RR. The team earned three new sponsors, & received $20,000. RR published their FLOAT Program & mentored FRC Team #6184 & #6850 as well as asst’d #11339 with a 3D printing project for their robot. At the crest of the season, RR earned the Imagery Award at ORL & SFL Regionals, a UF mentor earned the WFFA, & FRC#1902 presented RR with the Squealer Award. Our Town Magazine interviewed team members & subsequently published an article about RR called “Inspiring the Minds of Tomorrow.” RR’s SM skyrocketed with 84,801 impressions, up from 3,064. RR had volunteered a total of 1,135 combined hrs., traveled 1,416 mi. to reach 23,656. Working with ATMakers.org, RR volunteered a combined 202 hrs. & traveled 478 mi. to adapt 120 toys. In addition, RR became an Alliance Partner of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) & presented at the first ATIA Maker Day.
A Tidal Wave of STEM
With the coast clear, RR was ready for launch in 2019. Demos were held at the Arts & Science Festival, UF Innovate, the county fair, & CADE. Partnerships were promoted to Event Lvl. Sponsor at Touch-A-Truck & Station Mgr. of Make-A-Button at ORL Maker Faire. RR mentored PKY FLL Jr. Teams #16202 & #16203 along with FLL Teams #40302 & #40303. RR also presented at Destination Deep Space Workshops, ATIA, & Maker Day 2.0. RR published their “[Re]Branding Guide” on Chief Delphi & team website. Hosting five AT workshops, RR continuously applied STEM skills to create effective, affordable, & replicable AT solutions.
At the ORL Regional, RR hoped to convey the team’s [Re]branding & AT efforts. Team members created Pit Safety Brochures, improved pit rules signs, & created new pit banners. RR shared their AT projects with FRC teams, visitors, & judges. Improvements to the pit led the team to earn the Pit Safety Award. In addition, RR earned the Judges’ Award for our work in AT. At the close of the season, RR had traveled 1,216 mi., adapted 155 toys, & volunteered a collective 1,408 hrs. to reach a total of 96,963.
A Wave of AT
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion – FIRST Core Values – are shared with those of AT. By applying skills learned through CAD, mech., elec., & coding, FIRST teams can assist to increase accessibility for all by empowering our most marginalized population. RR believes the FIRST & AT community shouldn’t exist in silos, as we share a common vision. The #FIRSTwithAT Program officially launched during 2019. Realizing how STEM skills gained through FIRST intersect with creating AT solutions, RR acts as a catalyst between FRC Teams & those needing AT by connecting makers through a contact form on the team’s website, as well as through their own FL Chapter of Makers Making Change (MMC). In sharing #FIRSTwithAT, RR presented at the Regional AT Specialist Meeting, Roboticon TB, Collaborate 2025 Kickoff, twice at ATIA, & RR has submitted to present at Worlds 2020.
4118’s Initiatives
Though we’ve had many successes as a team, we’re most proud of our work in Assistive Technology. Our #FIRSTwithAT Initiative has gained the support and recognition from 4 local college student organizations, 2 local hospitals/clinics, the university, as well as national organizations. In addition to these partnerships, the students of Roaring Riptide have contributed over 4,500 hours to promote STEM education, assistive technology outreach, and within the other FIRST program levels.