Since 2005, the team has developed stronger partnerships in all aspects of FIRST. We also support all 3 FIRST programs by mentoring FRC teams, annually hosting an FTC super-qualifier event, and starting/mentoring FLL teams. Team Mercury has expanded outside of just FRC, making our mark on the FIRST Tech Challenge and the FIRST LEGO League. We believe the support of all FIRST programs will ensure that all students have the opportunity to be inspired by science and technology.
Kickoff 2004
Practice Rack
FLL Work
Snowday Showdown
- Ever since our first workshop at kickoff in 2004, our mentors have worked hard to teach students from other teams some of what they need to know for the upcoming build season.
- During the 2006 build season, we designed and created buttons and banners representing our sponsor Bristol Myers Squibb and we proudly distributed them to other BMS-sponsored teams. These banners are proudly displayed at all our competitions. We also played an integral role in organizing the 2006 kickoff held at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
- In the 2007, Team Mercury worked with Team 25 to build a practice rack. This extra build season project not only helped our team understand the field, but fortified our relationship with Team 25, our mentor and sister team, and other teams that came to make use of the field.
- For the past seven years Team Mercury has expanded outside of the FIRST Robotics Competition. In 2006, the team volunteered to host an FLL tournament. Unfortunately, we found that too many new events were added to the NJ schedule and too few teams existed to hold an effective competition. However, we remain committed to the goal. In our efforts to promote FLL we continue to reach out to elementary/middle school teachers and have presented the FLL program to a principal of the schools.
- Beginning in January 2007, Team Mercury has hosted a winter themed FTC super-qualifier, “Snowday Showdown,” where teams battled to win the reward; earning a spot at the NJ Championship Tournament. Our expanded parent committee planned the refreshments that would be sold and supervised the concession stand. Students assembled the field, organized the pit area, and served as the reset crew. Snow Day Showdown proved to be a successful, fun, and festive event.
- The team has sent representatives to help with the FTC State Championship in New Jersey after our successes with Snow Day Showdown. We hope to keep this spirit up and continue contributing to the FTC program.
- Team Mercury volunteers at various events throughout the season, which increases student and mentor involvement in FIRST.