Starting a new SO team

[Luo]

thanks!

edit- how much do the materials, manuals, etc. cost? (typically)

Rule manuals are included with team registration, which costs $100 in Oklahoma. Since Oklahoma doesn't run Robot Arm (which can itself cost $100 or more), your team should probably be able to get all the materials it needs for a few hundred dollars.

[ThePrudentGuava]

thanks!

edit- how much do the materials, manuals, etc. cost? (typically)

Rule manuals are included with team registration, which costs $100 in Oklahoma. Since Oklahoma doesn't run Robot Arm (which can itself cost $100 or more), your team should probably be able to get all the materials it needs for a few hundred dollars.

We have a robotics team at our high school so that wouldn't be much of a problem.

[ThePrudentGuava]

but in the future, in the EXTREME offchance that we make it to Nats, would we need to build one because that is one of the events?

[Luo]

but in the future, in the EXTREME offchance that we make it to Nats, would we need to build one because that is one of the events?

Yeah, regardless of the events your state runs, all nationals teams compete in all 23 national events. Technically you don't NEED to compete in all events, but that would lead to a score of 61 for no-show, so it would be highly advisable to compete in all events at nationals.

[ThePrudentGuava]

that's what I was thinking, but with my luck we would finish it weeks before and then someone would forget to put it on the bus or our bus would break it.

[liutony66]

I've been trying to start up a team as a freshman, and it just doesn't seem to be working.

First and foremost, we have literally asked almost all the suitable science teachers in the school, and only one agreed to be our sponsor. And he hasn't responded to any of my emails, which only require a one word answer. Is this typically the case?

Additionally, it seems in high school there is some sort of extreme bias against all freshman - essentially, nobody seems to want to take us seriously, purely because we are freshman and freshman are deemed inferior. We are definitely have not taken as many advanced classes as upperclassmen, but does this mean that we don't work as hard? This may be the reason the teachers were so reluctant. Again, is this the case in most high schools?

Now, it's already December and our competition is in February. In middle school we had a team as 8th graders and we literally had teachers wanting to sponsor us. I understand that high school teachers are extremely busy, but many of yall obviously have good, dedicated, teacher sponsors.

Can anybody help me evaluate this situation?

[PacificGoldenPlover]

Try starting a team with all freshman. If you get a good group, you should be able to do well, and maybe convince upperclassmen to join next year.

[Skink]

I've been trying to start up a team as a freshman, and it just doesn't seem to be working.

First and foremost, we have literally asked almost all the suitable science teachers in the school, and only one agreed to be our sponsor. And he hasn't responded to any of my emails, which only require a one word answer. Is this typically the case?

Additionally, it seems in high school there is some sort of extreme bias against all freshman - essentially, nobody seems to want to take us seriously, purely because we are freshman and freshman are deemed inferior. We are definitely have not taken as many advanced classes as upperclassmen, but does this mean that we don't work as hard? This may be the reason the teachers were so reluctant. Again, is this the case in most high schools?

Now, it's already December and our competition is in February. In middle school we had a team as 8th graders and we literally had teachers wanting to sponsor us. I understand that high school teachers are extremely busy, but many of yall obviously have good, dedicated, teacher sponsors.

Can anybody help me evaluate this situation?

tony, quite a bit goes into starting a team and, then, running one, especially for new coaches. You're asking quite a bit of everyone. One thing you may want to know about high school teachers is that many of them are tied up by one of two things in addition to grading papers and preparing lessons outside of class, either A)they already coach athletics or advise another after school club or B)they have kids or a dog at home waiting for them. Do not take it personally if none of them have an interest in your activity; they'd likely say no to anything whether it was you and Science Olympiad or me and karate or philosophy club.

A few other things to note...first, you don't need a science teacher. You're best served that way due to their knowledge base, but it's not a requirement. Also, they are bombarded with e-mails. A face-to-face conversation would serve you better, especially if this person would eventually become your coach.

Freshmen have taken less advanced classes, yes, and that disadvantages you in C division. The teachers likely aren't thinking in these terms, but there's truth to it. You don't know as much as upperclassmen. That's okay. Regarding upcoming competition, my personal intuition is you won't accomplish much in the short time between returning from break and February. It goes without saying I don't know what the late team registration fee is (doesn't seem your state has one...good). That said, what happened to middle school? You couldn't have competed or coached an event back at your former team as an alternative?

Whatever happens, I wish you luck. My best advice to you is, if things don't turn out for you this time around, find anothere activity like SO or try again in the fall.

[ThePrudentGuava]

would a math teacher work if no science teacher can/wants to/ do it.

Edit- I have just now realized that Im like the only active user from OK & found out that there are only 2 division C teams, both from the same city mind you, in OK. At least thats what the tourny results say.