FAQ | testing

Team 340 Frequently Asked Questions.

FIRST Team 340 has been around since the Fall of 1999, as a team of thirteen years they have become very knowlegeble in the world of FIRST and Robotics in general. If your question was not answered here please refer to the contact us tab and either email us or use our instant answer box to contact a member.

What is FIRST?

FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non profit organization founded by Dean Kamen to get more kids interested in Science and Technology. FIRST encourages well rounded individuals by not only encouraging Science and Technology but also encouraging community service, self-confidence, communication and leadership.

How Old Does My Child Have To Be To Join?

Your child can join Jr. FIRST Lego League (Jr. FLL) at age 6, once they turn 9 they can join a FIRST Lego League team until they turn 14. Once they turn 14 they may join FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge until they graduate. For more information on all the levels of FIRST please click explore our FIRST tab.

How Do I Start a Team?

To start your own team please check out usfirst.org and click the type of team you wish to start and on the left hand side there will be a link that says "Start A Team." On FLL it is under "Team Stuff", FTC it is under "New To FTC" and for FRC it is like Jr. FLL and has its own link on the left. Once you click "Start A Team" a page will come up and will go over everything you need to know in order to have a successful team. They have also been linked to if you click here.

How is Your Team Different Than Others?

FIRST Team 340 is different than other teams because they are a team who works year round. During the summer they continue to go to demos and do community service. They also will practice making a new robot for demos. Our team is also very connected like a family and all the members and mentors take care of each other. Each and every member on our team is respected and appreciated on our team. There is also a very strong work ethic on our team, if someone does not have a job one will be found for them. Whether it's filing metal to cleaning the loft or shop. This is also a student run team, the officers of the team are responsible individuals who were elected by the rest of the team to lead them to success. Our team is also quite large compared to other teams, there are about 40 students and 40 mentors on our team, this ratio enables 1 on 1 time with a mentor.

What is Your Advice For Running a Successful Team?

Our team is a student run team with mentors over seeing. This is a very interesting environmental which prepares members for the real world. Every member gets a say in what the team does and every member participates. That is the key to our team, no one is sitting on the sidelines letting someone else do all the work. If your team is enthusiastic about what they are doing everyone wins.

What is Your Team's Take On Safety?

Our team requires a very safe environmental. No one is alone in the shop alone they must have another student or mentor in the shop with them just in case something happens. Members are also not allowed to use any equipment until they and a mentor feel they are ready to use the machinery. Safety glasses are a must in the tech wing, they is a set of them in each room. Members also keep a watchful eye over each other and make sure that others are using the equipment safely therefore no accidents occur. If a member or mentor is feeling tired or upset they are not allowed to handle the machinery. For more information on safety please check out our safety tab here. Our team has also spoken and shown a safety video at the Genesee Valley Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers and been featured at Kodak Rochester as the safety tip of the week.