Resources

A fantastic reference for all things software: andover-robotics.gitbook.io

Curricula for Prospective and Returning Members

This is the page with curricula for complete beginners, about FTC, goBILDA Hardware, Software, and CAD, that can be done independently over the summer. If you're interested in joining robotics next year, these curricula are a great way to help reduce the learning curve for when you join (although not required).

If anyone has any trouble with the curricula (like they can't join the classroom or a link doesn't work), they can email Rishika or Avanthika at rishika@andoverrobotics.com, avanthika@andoverrobotics.com !


Intro to FTC - Classroom code: rk2fepm

Prerequisite Info:

If you have not competed in FIRST Tech Challenge before, this course is a prerequisite for all the other courses.

Course Description:

This course explains the main objectives of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and how we achieve them. It is the shortest of the courses, with only 2 lessons.

By the end of this course a new member will understand :

  • The time commitment for the club

  • The structure of our FTC season and competitions

  • Key concepts of the game

  • How we document the engineering design process

Mechanics using goBILDA - Classroom Code: hfu3ql4

Prerequisite Info:

Either the “Intro to FTC” course or prior experience in FTC is required for this course. This course (or prior experience with goBILDA hardware) is also a prerequisite for the CAD modeling course (below).

Course Description:

This course teaches the main parts and tools from the goBILDA system that all the teams will be using next year to build our robots. It also goes in depth about robot design, and what is needed to build a working robot.

By the end of this course students will understand:

  • How different goBILDA parts go together and certain mechanisms

  • What a drivetrain is and its importance

  • What linear motion is and the different types that can be used in a robot

  • Differences between different types of intake and outake systems in goBILDA

3D Modeling in Solidworks - Classroom Code: o4sbpyt

Prerequisite Information:

The goBILDA Hardware course is a prerequisite for this course. However, this course is not a prerequisite for any other courses.

Course Description:

This course is to introduce students to one of the most important tools in the planning process of building a robot, CAD (computer-aided design). In this course we will be using SolidWorks as our main software.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

  • Use keyboard shortcuts

  • Make a 2D sketch

  • Understand how to make 2D sketches in SolidWorks using constraints to make parametric sketches

  • Make 3D solids with extrusions and cut extrusions

  • Render 3D solids with draft, loft and sweep

  • Know different type of joints in SolidWorks

  • Work with goBilda parts in SolidWorks and form a drive train

FTC Software - Classroom Code: oggvpsr

Prerequisite Info:

The “Intro to FTC” course or prior experience with FTC is required to take this course. However, there are no other prerequisites (knowing about hardware and CAD is helpful but not necessary).

In addition, it is recommended that students have basic knowledge of programming in Java - students should be comfortable with:

      1. Variables, Data Types

      2. Conditional and Logical Operators

      3. Strings

      4. While and For Loops

      5. Methods

      6. Classes and basic inheritance

For students with no background in programming in Java:

For students who would like to take this course, but do not already have a background in programming in Java, we recommend Educative’s “Learn Java from Scratch” course, free for students with a GitHub student developer pack. The pack is free for students who sign up with their k12 email account. Please email emily@andoverrobotics.com if you would like further help redeeming Educative and for a syllabus of recommended lessons within the course.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to programming a robot in the FTC environment.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

    • Understand the types of OpModes, what algorithmic patterns they support, and how they correlate to different periods of the game

    • Make hardware configurations and understand how to utilize them in a program

    • Understand DcMotor and servo behavior

    • Understand the purpose of TeleOp and Autonomous periods

    • Access gamepads in a TeleOp program

    • Code a Mecanum drive to be able to move, turn, and strafe