Outreach

Beginning in 2000, Chantilly Robotics has been reaching to help the community. The group’s efforts have evolved into a non-profit organization called FIRST STEP (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Students in Technology Expanding Possibilities). FIRST STEP not only helps children with emotional, physical, and learning disabilities, but it has blossomed into a resource for physical and occupational therapists throughout the area. FIRST STEP’s mission is to supply an outlet for students to apply knowledge of engineering ideas and concepts to support the community. Starting with a custom baby walker for an infant, Chantilly Robotics has since been working to help more people and are now working on a voice-activated wheelchair.

In 2004, occupational and physical therapists contacted the Chantilly Robotics Team to help some of their patients with limited mobility. Chantilly Academy students were excited by the opportunity and team’s mentor, Jerry Skene, asked, “How can we help?” Students responded with the initial project building a robotic baby walker for a young child with partially formed arms and legs within three weeks. Young Rahim Ullah gained safe, independent movement because of the baby walker’s sensors that detect stairs and walls. Ullah is now safe and is reaching “normal age-appropriate milestones,” as stated by occupational therapists.

Following the baby walker, the team was contacted again to build a voice activated wheelchair for a young boy with cerebral palsy. Without the new wheelchair, an assistant would need to be with him at all times. The team plans to build the wheelchair and enhance it with Internet and phone services for his safety and convenience.

Mentor Jerry Skene was contacted in January of 2007 to help with the design of new exhibits in the Children’s Museum of Northern Virginia. Through his leadership, the team has been acknowledged as the official designed of the multi-million dollar robotics exhibit, scheduled to open in 2009. The exhibit will include interactive, programmable robots for children, school resources, and demonstration of current robotic capabilities. 

The team is also involved in Chantilly High School’s activities. Working to excite students in science and technology, the team has appeared in the annual Homecoming Parade and Spirit Rally. In past years, the team has built robots to interact with sports teams. In 2005, a robot was built to race the principal during football half-time festivities. In 2006, the team built a robotic basketball launcher to shoot basketballs from half-court during basketball games.

Also part of Chantilly Academy, a magnet school for specialty classes comprised of students from all over the county, the team works to create more opportunities for these students. As the team has progressed, class sizes have grown and are now recognized for George Mason University college credit. In a growing women’s initiative, Chantilly Academy was the first school to offer introductory all-girls engineering classes starting in 2007. This class follows presentations by Massachusetts Institute of Technology undergraduates who spoke to aspiring female engineering students.

Team 612 also is involved in helping the FIRST community. The team mentored its second FIRST Robotics Competition team this year, after mentoring Team 1731 in the 2005-2006 season. Team 2186 at Westfields High School has high hopes for the coming season and Chantilly Robotics is certainly proud of their accomplishments. The team was also involved in mentoring Team 2444, participating in the FIRST Lego League competition and with Engineers without Borders – DC Chapter; to helping a team of volunteer engineers design and implement improved air and water quality for healthier living conditions in Central America in 2007-2008. This year, we plan to continue with EWB and create a cost efficient unit of solar panels and recycled computer fans to be sold through out the world.

In a growing partnership with the community, Chantilly Robotics actively participates with multiple popular organizations. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center has allowed the team to come to many events, including the annual Space Day and Air n’ Scare. Many students of the team also volunteer, working with the Discovery Station Mars Rover Exhibit. In a Girl Scout Gold Award project, the team ran a booth working with middle school girls in the discovery of robotics and engineering. This Technology Fair included exploration of careers, aviation speakers, and interactive science exhibits. The team also built a Boxbot which was used at Moon Base One Camp as a Mars Rover simulation.