Background & Significance Supporting high schoolers is a vital component for the growth and success of extra-curricular competitive programs. Robotics is designed to encourage creativity and problem solving via science and technology. The FIRST Robotics program ![]() Program Details and Growth Ironmen Robotics (Team #4653) is the Varsity FIRST Robotics Competition team of Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Each year, the team is tasked with creating a robot to compete in an annual challenge with a student designed and built robot. FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization that promotes the development of engineering and teamwork skills by organizing robotics competitions for students from Elementary School to High School Levels. Ironmen Robotics competes with other high school teams from around the country and around the world. Robotics started at Don Bosco in 2013 as an after-school activity. As interest grew with more and more boys joining, full-time volunteer mentors were added. In addition to the team, in 2016, Robotics officially became a Freshman elective class with a Sophomore class following in 2017. By the fall of 2017 team growth necessitated the addition of a Junior Varsity Team.
Budget and Finances Annual operating expenses - Varsity Team: Annual Varsity Team Registration: $5,000 Competition Robot (build cost): $6,000 - $8,000 Third Competition Cost: $1,000 - $5,000 Spare/back-up robot: $4,000 - $6,000 Off season events: $ 500 - $1,000 Minimum Annual Cost: $16,500 - $25,000
Top Level Competition Fees (pending qualification): District Championship: $4,000 World Championship: $5,000 Estimated Team Travel Expenses: $10,000
Operating expenses - Junior Varsity Team: Team Registration: $5,000 Competition Robot (build cost): $4,000 - $6,000 Spare/back-up robot: $3,000 - $5,000 Off season events: $ 500 - $1,000 Minimum Annual Cost: $12,500 - $17,000
All team members (both varsity and junior varsity) pay an annual participation fee of $375 and supplement the budget via fundraisers. |