Who We Are

 

"The Thunder Just Keeps Getting Louder!"

Our Mission

Inspiring students to become leaders in STEAM through mentorship and the fun of FIRST Robotics. Pursuing excellence in all parts of the FIRST Robotics Competition for the benefit of all students.

Our Vision

To transform our world to have a greater appreciation of science and technology. To produce alumni that are productive members of society and are champions of FIRST Robotics and STEAM initiatives.

About the Team

Rolling Thunder is FIRST Robotics Team 1511, of Penfield High School in Penfield, New York. It was founded in the fall of 2004 through a partnership with Harris RF Communications, a local government-contracted communications company. The team includes about 22 volunteers and 40 students. Volunteers range from electrical engineers to programmers and marketing experts.

Since our inception, Rolling Thunder has focused not only our growth as a team but also as a business. A copy of our Business Plan is available for to view and see our growth over the years.

About Penfield High School

Penfield High School, located in a residential suburb of Rochester, NY in Western NY, offers a comprehensive curriculum for students in grades 9-12. In addition to traditional core subjects, students can choose from a wide variety of Advanced Placement offerings for college credit, as well as numerous electives in arts, music, engineering, business and more. Vocational and alternative education experiences are also made available to students. A highly skilled staff works to create a warm and welcoming environment for all students and actively encourages the involvement of parents in their children's education.

Penfield Central School District
Penfield High School
25 High School Drive
Penfield, New York 14526

About Harris

Harris Corporation is an international communications equipment company focused on providing product, system, and service solutions for commercial and government customers. The company's five operating divisions serve markets for microwave, broadcast, network support, secure tactical radio, and government communications systems. Harris has more than 10,000 employees, including 4,000 engineers and scientists.

Harris RF Communications Division (RFCD) is a leading supplier of secure voice and data communications products, systems and networks to military, government, and commercial organizations worldwide.

Harris RF Communications
1680 University Avenue
Rochester, New York 14610

About the FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions designed by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers. The Competition has grown to over 4,500 teams competing in 158 Regional and District Events, and The Championships held at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston Tx. and the Cobo Center in Detroit Mi. where more than 30,000 students participate.

FIRST redefines winning for these students. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.

FIRST
FIRST Robotics Competition

About Team Structure

For specialized work, the team is divided into the following subteams:

• Leadership: This subteam is responsible for creating the team structure, determining the team calendar, setting up team activities and trainings, and managing school relations.

• Mechanical: This subteam is responsible for designing the mechanical components of the robot, as well as putting them together. Components are designed in CAD, and sometimes a prototype is created before final assembly. This team is also responsible for designing and creating the tetra manipulator.

• Electrical: This subteam is responsible for designing and producing all electrical systems for the robot and control panel. It is also responsible for any pneumatics that are used.

• Programming: This subteam is responsible for creating the actual code that makes the robot work. It also creates the autonomous code(s) for the competition.

• Webpage: This subteam is responsible for creating and maintaining the webpage, forums, blog, wiki, and smugmug photo database. They also work to unify our teams social media and web presence.

• Strategy: This subteam is responsible for actually controlling and driving the robot. They are also the rules experts of the team, and have created strategies for the best scores.

• Marketing: This subteam creates all presentations, press releases, newsletters and any other public relations propaganda. They are also responsible for team logos, clothing, and team spirit.

• Community Service: This subteam runs the team's involvement with the e-NABLE project and running/organizing other community service events.

Upcoming Events