The 3201 Ross Rambotics
Team 3201, known as the Ross Rambotics, was founded in 2010 at Ross High School to provide STEM opportunities for students in a small, rural community. Since then, it has grown to include multiple FIRST LEGO League teams and has impacted hundreds of students by teaching valuable technical and life skills. The team is dedicated to community outreach through events like fairs, school programs, and summer programming camps. Rambotics operates under FIRST, a global nonprofit that promotes youth engagement in science and technology through mentor-based programs that also build leadership and communication skills.
Team 3201 is small but mighty. While other teams in the area host upwards of 40 members per team, the Ross Rambotics continue to excel and compete neck-and-neck with a constant team size of around 25 students, all dedicated to improving their STEAM-based skills and knowledge.
Team 3201 is small but mighty. While other teams in the area host upwards of 40 members per team, the Ross Rambotics continue to excel and compete neck-and-neck with a constant team size of around 25 students, all dedicated to improving their STEAM-based skills and knowledge.
Here's how we do what we do:
Our Subteams
When looking down at the robots on the field at a competition, it can be easy to forget the hours of work that goes into making FRC happen. It’s easy to just see the driver, operator, and coaches, and lose sight of all our teammates cheering from the stands and all their contributions. The Drive Team is just one part of Ross Rambotics. In addition, our team includes the subteams of CAD, Programming, Scouting, and Operations.
CAD |
Build |
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Our CAD subteam is responsible for the design of our robot. During the beginning of the season, they work tirelessly to ensure that the robot is correctly prototyped and fabricated. As the season progresses, they create CAM files of minor parts to be 3D printed. When everything is finalized, members of the CAD team are free to pursue their passions in other areas of the team.
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After the robot parts are designed, the build team continues the process by fabricating and assembling the robot. They are largely responsible for the aesthetics as well. After all, branding is important! While not conventional “building”, our build team also works hard to wire the robot. When the wiring is finished, it is now programming’s job to make it function, including finalizing the autonomous systems.
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Programming |
Scouting |
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Our programming subteam is responsible for writing, testing, and maintaining the code that controls the robot. Their work includes developing autonomous routines for the robot to perform tasks without driver input, creating teleoperated controls for use during matches, and integrating sensors for feedback and precision.
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At competitions, it’s easy to overlook the work that is still happening. Our scouting team closely watches and collects data on every single match that contains a robot that our team will encounter at a competition, including tournaments that we do not attend. Last year, in total, we scouted 1,400 matches, which added up to almost two and a half days of just watching FRC. The scouting subteam is also largely responsible for our competition strategy, as the data they record is extremely valuable in both how we play the game, as well as in alliance selection.
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Operations
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Finally, our operations subteam is responsible for financial and community functions. Our team is completely self-funded. This subteam is responsible for obtaining sponsorships, writing grants, fundraising, and managing a very tight budget. The main source of our funds come from local sponsorships (49%) followed by grant writing (29%). The operations subteam created sponsorship packets to highlight the team, our successes, and our season goals. This packet also includes sponsorship levels that incentivize donations. Because grants are vital, we begin grant writing in late spring for the next season. In addition to grants, we host fundraisers in our local community. We run an annual ornament sale and added a yard sign fundraiser this fall. For both of these fundraisers, the team designs, creates, and distributes the products. Additionally, this group organizes the team’s community outreach which, includes managing social media.
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Most importantly, team members are encouraged to try out all of the different subteams before making a decision on which subteam to join. They are also free to flex at any time. Our team is also inclusive and welcomes all that show an interest in what we do. We are especially proud of the increase in female membership on the team over the past year. This is partially due to our involvement in the STEM Stars program, which encourages young women to pursue careers and activities in STEM fields. In addition, Team 3201 is proud to represent not only Ross High School, but the local Learning Tree Homeschool Co-op.
The Yearly Plan
Our year is primarily divided into three seasons: Competition season, off-season, and fundraising season.
Competition Season |
Off-Season |
Fundraising Season |
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Our competition season lasts from January-April and is where most of our efforts as a team are focused. The aforementioned subteams shine their brightest here, CADding, building, and programming a robot viable for a season-specific game field. The operations team constant works behind the scenes while the ever-vigilant scouting team is crucial to our tournament performance.
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The off-season lasts between May-July and gives students time to relax and focus on academics. After school lets out, our efforts go to any off-season tournaments hosted in the area and helping out with any Rambotics FLL matters that arise, like our programming camp and the FLL season kickoff.
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Our fundraising season is self-explanatory: The rest of the year, August-December, is devoted to raising money for the season. Building a robot isn’t cheap, and neither are the fund required to participate in the season. Our team needs to raise $20,000 annually in order to compete, let alone any funds that we may need if we advance to the World Championship. For more information about our fundraising, check out our fundraising page.
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Our Team Highlights Through the Years:
2025 - Calypso
2024 - Atlas |
2023 - Midas |
2022 - Gravestone |
2020 - Amperage |
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2019 - TARS |
2018 - Pinhead |
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2017 - Pinhead |
2016 - Jenny 3.0h |
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2015 - Jenny 3.0h |
2014 |
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2013 |
2012 |
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