HISTORY

Mentoring :

When one of our elementary principals needed tutors for students having trouble in math, we were there. We provide tutoring and one-on-one work with elementary children to share our love of learning. Our students also participate in Kids’ Hope, a mentoring program for youngsters.
When our Lego League teams need mentoring during the fall, we break into groups and help them out. We also work at the local Lego League tournaments, providing set-up, operational and tear-down services.
We also participate in the WO Road Show each year, as well as doing elementary assemblies.

Community Service :

Our team gives back to our community. You can find us planting tulips for our community’s Tulip Time celebrations, collecting food donations for local food banks, helping out at the local women’s shelter, and planting trees at local parks.
We’re also on hand every year at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, held at our own high school. Every year, we help our high school group raise more funds than any other non-profit participant. We’re all touched by the people we’ve lost to cancer, including two of our former teachers (our band director and former assistant robotics coach).

Competing :

Each year we hope to attend two Michigan events and one regional (out of state) event. Based on performance, we also plan to attend the state and national championships.
During 2009, we earned the following awards:
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Entrepreneurship Award (West Michigan District and Michigan State Championship)
Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” Award (Traverse City District)
Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” Award (Wisconsin Regional)

Gracious Professionalism :

Team 141 embraces the FIRST concept of gracious professionalism as we work both on and off the field. FIRST teaches us that strategizing well and partnering with purpose can be accomplished with an attitude that honors our competitors’ efforts.
We apply gracious professionalism throughout the competition, helping our alliance partners and our competition when needed. In the past, we have provided not only tools and materials as needed, but also programming and mechanical assistance.