Team 708 is an FRC team that was founded in 2001 and is comprised of approximately 40 students in grades 9-12. Operating out of the Hatboro-Horsham High School, our team works all year long to accomplish the goals we set. Along with this commitment, some of the high school students act as mentors to our district’s middle school FLL program, as well as aiding in our summer FLL Boot Camp. We also have multiple FTC teams for students in 8th and 9th grades that meet throughout the fall and early winter.
The team’s main objective is to work together to design, build, and program a robot to participate in competitions. Not only do we compete, but we host three of our own events, one of them being an FRC district competition. Throughout the off-season, our team also engages in many community outreach events to showcase our accomplishments and expose others to the levels of our program and what they entail. We inspire those around us to get involved in STEM related activities, similar to how our supporters motivate and inspire us. Our mentors, parents, past students, and history of Team 708 play a key role as we continue pushing forward in our endeavors to learn and improve.
As students on Team 708, we are encouraged to continue developing our skills, along with sharing our knowledge to advance the future of the team. We are a part of an extraordinary program where we meet a diverse group of people and gain many new experiences. It exposes countless students to new opportunities from interacting with the community to the thrill of competitions.
The team’s main objective is to work together to design, build, and program a robot to participate in competitions. Not only do we compete, but we host three of our own events, one of them being an FRC district competition. Throughout the off-season, our team also engages in many community outreach events to showcase our accomplishments and expose others to the levels of our program and what they entail. We inspire those around us to get involved in STEM related activities, similar to how our supporters motivate and inspire us. Our mentors, parents, past students, and history of Team 708 play a key role as we continue pushing forward in our endeavors to learn and improve.
As students on Team 708, we are encouraged to continue developing our skills, along with sharing our knowledge to advance the future of the team. We are a part of an extraordinary program where we meet a diverse group of people and gain many new experiences. It exposes countless students to new opportunities from interacting with the community to the thrill of competitions.
experiences of Team 708
Students on Team 708 are afforded endless experiences as a part of our program, including:
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Engineering & DesignEvery year we are presented with an engineering design challenge in which we learn to identify the problems and work on creating solutions through critical thinking. Throughout the season, we go through the engineering design process iterating on several designs to be manufactured for our finalized robot. By using professional computer aided design software, such as Autodesk Inventor, we produce and integrate all the designs into the final robot. In order to develop the best possible solution, we utilize creative ideas and our resources to make a competition-ready robot.
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MachiningTeam 708 has students trained to use machines such as the CNC, lathe, and mill to accurately fabricate custom parts. Through this, we learn real-world skills via hands on activities.
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programmingStudents work with software professionals to learn how to write code in Java. Through talking amongst subsystem groups, we plan out which ports the motors and sensors will be plugged into. Finding the most efficient way to connect the electrical systems together, we ensure proper communications for the written code, both autonomous and teleoperated.
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Electrical & PneumaticsWe learn the electrical and pneumatic control system elements and how they interact. Students design the electrical layouts and wire management to efficiently wire a robot.
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strategyAfter the game is revealed, we work together to fully understand how we want to play the game. Through many discussions, time studies, and lists of pros and cons, we develop a meaningful strategy to guide the design of our robot. During competition, our match strategy is constantly evolving based on how the robot functions. Students collaborate with other teams to combine our strategy with that of our alliance partners to play the game to the best of our ability.
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MediaThe team documents our activities and build season progress through photography and videos. We produce videos to engage our community about projects, build season progress, and competitions in an effort to share our knowledge. We also use professional multimedia software suites to create animations, graphics, and to develop our website.
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Awards & documentationThrough working on award submissions and projects, we develop essay writing, public speaking, and presentation skills. At competitions, we interact with industry professionals and learn to convey our FIRST experiences.
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OutreachAs a team, we aim to inspire a STEM culture within our community. We showcase our programs ranging from FLL Jr. to FRC at the many demos we attend throughout the year. At these events, community members are encouraged to talk with team members and interact with our robots.
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businessStudents interested in business analyze the team through a SWOT analysis while preparing a detailed business plan. We work to bring in sponsors using our tier levels and help to manage the financials of the team.
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MentoringAs students gain new experiences through robotics, they spread their knowledge to their peers in preparation for what is to come. Within our team, students collaborate and learn new skills, such as teaching each other CAD and machining, or even helping with homework. Through the middle school’s FLL program, students become mentors for the district’s teams and guide younger students throughout the season, creating lasting bonds that continue inspiration in STEM.
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LIFE SKILLSOur program also provides students valuable life skills that they take with them into their future careers. Students refine the skills of leadership, teamwork, teaching/mentoring, organization, and networking with professionals in the community.
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