Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between FIRST, FRC, and STEEL Boot Robotics?
A: FIRST is the organization to which our competition takes name. FRC is the particular competition that we compete in as a high school team. STEEL Boot Robotics, or Salinas High Robotics, is the name of our team
A: FIRST is the organization to which our competition takes name. FRC is the particular competition that we compete in as a high school team. STEEL Boot Robotics, or Salinas High Robotics, is the name of our team
Q: What does the team do?
A: The season is often broken up into 3 portions: Build Season, Competition, and Post/Pre Season. Build season begins when the game is released to the teams. Competition Season is when the robot is completed and the teams move onto competitions. Post/Pre Season is after competition and into the next year when members are typically trained, funds are raised, and the team prepares for the next build season.
A: The season is often broken up into 3 portions: Build Season, Competition, and Post/Pre Season. Build season begins when the game is released to the teams. Competition Season is when the robot is completed and the teams move onto competitions. Post/Pre Season is after competition and into the next year when members are typically trained, funds are raised, and the team prepares for the next build season.
Q: So what exactly happens in competition? What is "The Game"?
A: "The Game" refers to the functions which the robot needs to do to compete alongside its team mates. The game consists of 3 robots on either side that perform tasks to score points such as shoot balls into holes, climb up steps, or spin a wheel. The team with the most points wins the match, overall, resembling a sport.
A: "The Game" refers to the functions which the robot needs to do to compete alongside its team mates. The game consists of 3 robots on either side that perform tasks to score points such as shoot balls into holes, climb up steps, or spin a wheel. The team with the most points wins the match, overall, resembling a sport.
Q: What are "Eliminations"? Could you further explain how winning a competition works?
A: At the competition, teams play "Qualification Matches" to determine their rank. The top 8 ranked teams pick their alliance members for elimination matches, or "Eliminations". Eliminations work in a bracketed playoff system, with alliances facing each other and the winners progressing, until the final alliance wins and is admitted to the World Championship.
A: At the competition, teams play "Qualification Matches" to determine their rank. The top 8 ranked teams pick their alliance members for elimination matches, or "Eliminations". Eliminations work in a bracketed playoff system, with alliances facing each other and the winners progressing, until the final alliance wins and is admitted to the World Championship.
Q: What does this all cost? Where does the money come from?
A: Robotics is one of the most expensive programs in general, especially FRC. As such, a unique manner of funding has emerged, supported by STEM lovers and technological philanthropists world wide. Teams most commonly acrew sponsor ships and donations from local companies, in our case, companies like KLA, Tanimura & Antle, and others (See our Sponsor page). Registration fees cost $5,000 dollars, fabrication several thousand more, and travel for the team being quite pricey too (See our Support Us page).
A: Robotics is one of the most expensive programs in general, especially FRC. As such, a unique manner of funding has emerged, supported by STEM lovers and technological philanthropists world wide. Teams most commonly acrew sponsor ships and donations from local companies, in our case, companies like KLA, Tanimura & Antle, and others (See our Sponsor page). Registration fees cost $5,000 dollars, fabrication several thousand more, and travel for the team being quite pricey too (See our Support Us page).