Sites where we have thus far posted the link about our 3D printed parts and an invitation to contact us for help or mentoring include:
Thingiverse:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:269475
FIRST Robotics Discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/430248460337787/permalink/790977817598181/?stream_ref=2
Team 4201 Website:
http://vitruvianteam4201.weebly.com/3d-printing-history.html
3D Printing Group:
https://www.facebook.com/3drevolution/posts/1430899227148768?stream_ref=10
3D Printer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/3dprinterdotnet/posts/1430899007148790?stream_ref=10
ChiefDelphi:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1356951#post1356951
Vitruvian Robots fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/FrcTeam4201TheVitruvianBots
Aerial Assist page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AerialAssist/permalink/666931260038401/?stream_ref=2
FIRST Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/USFIRST/permalink/666303773431838/?stream_ref=2
Inland Empire:
https://www.facebook.com/InlandEmpireFIRSTRobotics/posts/1431358643769493?stream_ref=10
III. 3DP Mentoring
III-I. Mentoring Your Team Received
We are fortunate in having our Project Lead The Way engineering teacher as our lead mentor for the robotics team. The school acquired several 3D printers about a year ago, and he has been responsible for learning how to use them and then teaching robotics students and his other class students how to design and build 3D printed parts.
III-II. Mentoring Your Team Provided
As a fairly new team in a K-8 district, we have not had much contact with other FRC teams prior to the Inland Empire competition. We had many visitors to the pit express admiration for the wheel feeder. Frankly, we weren’t expecting that much interest or acclaim, and we will be better prepared to respond to that with spec sheets and examples of 3D printing as well as distributing our business cards so that other teams can request mentoring help in the future.
IV. Community Outreach Utilizing 3DP
This year our new 3D printers have been a hit with the many visitors touring our school. As a successful school with an innovative approach, we give tours very frequently to groups such as other high schools, other districts, businesses, engineers and other professionals, and philanthropists, both local and state, national, and international.
These tours always include a visit to the engineering facilities, including our 3D printer as well as the machine shop, mill, and laser cutter. Last year’s robot is generally on display also, and next year the robot’s student-designed 3D printed parts are sure to make an impression.
We also display the robot and the 3D printer in action at the school’s twice-yearly Exhibition Nights, attended by nearly a thousand community members.
(3DP Award cont.) pg. 15