AUGUST 31, 2022, CHANTILLY, V.A. Over the summer, Chantilly Robotics has worked vigorously to focus on the team’s mission of expanding STEM education to all and spreading the values of FIRST, even when schools are dormant. Ranging from volunteering at elementary schools to youth service programs, here’s what the team did over the summer.
Team 612 began their summer by conducting a six-session summer camp at Brookfield Elementary School from July 15-29. The team introduced 150 kids to a variety of STEM activities, including art-based Ozobots, basic coding with Dash and Dot bots, and a demonstration of their own competition robots. This was 612’s third year in a row at Brookfield, and it is always rewarding for the team and Brookfield staff to see the students enjoy robotics.
Assisted by multiple nearby FRC teams, 612 participated in a day camp on July 29th for local Girl Scout troops. Similar to the Brookfield camp, the team taught 200 scouts about STEM through robot-based games and different FRC subjects. These activities helped the girls learn the basics of programming and mechanics. Continuing the trend of spreading STEM to the next generation, Team 612 held another day camp on August 3rd at Colin L. Powell Elementary School’s REC-Pac event. As they ran engaging, STEM-related games and demonstrated the robot for the students at Colin Powell, occasionally even letting them drive 612’s most recent robot, Phoenix, 612 members quickly realized the impact they were making. Not only did 612 have the honor of bringing smiles to the children's faces as Phoenix zipped across the gym, but they also found themselves setting the stage for the next generation of STEM leaders.
On a much lighter note, 612 held their annual summer basketball game, where many of the members cheered on their friends as they played a tense but friendly game accompanied by loads of snacks and team spirit! The basketball game has been a long-standing, lighthearted tradition to build team camaraderie before the season begins.
Finally, Team 612 is immensely excited to commence a productive, learning-filled, hands-on preseason. The team is excited to invite new membership amongst the incoming freshmen and welcome them to the 612 family.
Without the support of sponsors like you, Team 612 would not be able to plan and offer such diverse outreach opportunities to promote STEM in our community. For Team 612 to continue providing opportunities to the next generation of STEM innovators, they need continued support from sponsors. For more details, please email chantilly.612@gmail.com or visit https://www.frc612.org/current-sponsors.
About Chantilly Robotics
At Chantilly Robotics Team 612, we brighten the future for leaders and student
technologists within our team, school and community through fun and engaging methods of
learning and teaching while shining a light on the importance of STEM (science, technology,
engineering, math). Chantilly Robotics was founded in 2001 with eight student members and has
grown to over 140 members in the 2020 season. Team 612 competes at FIRST Robotics
Competitions in the Chesapeake District and spreads STEM as well as FIRST values through
community outreach. For more information, visit https://www.frc612.org or email
chantilly.612@gmail.com. Chantilly Robotics Team 612 is a club within Chantilly Academy, a
public educational institution.