VEX Robotics is a student-centered academic sport team that designs and builds robots for competition. We uphold the REC Foundation Code of Conduct, team policies, and the PWCS Code of Behavior at all team meetings and events. Students are provided with the opportunity to engage in self-directed learning of design, engineering, programming, building, and strategy with the support of peers and the team Coach. Team members work independently with tools, electronics, metal, and other parts. Every effort is made to keep team members safe, but accidents can still happen, and injury is possible while participating in the Robotics Team.
The following are the expectations PWCS has for the parents/guardians of student team members:
- 1. Team meetings are for students only. Parents who would like to volunteer their time to help the team are welcome, but must coordinate their time and efforts with the Coach in advance.
- 2. Parents may not touch any robot components or write any program code for a robot. Parents may not handle any equipment, including, but not limited to, robots, electronic components, and computers, without the Coach’s approval (this can get a team disqualified from award consideration).
- 3. Each individual team makes its own decisions regarding team roles and responsibilities based on the best interests of that team. Team members are not guaranteed a particular role, equal “drive” time, etc. However, every role on a team is truly, equally important to a team’s success.
- 4. At competitions, the Pit Area is where teams get ready for each match and are usually under observation by the judges. It is similar to the sidelines of a football game. Parents are expected to stay out of the Pit Area so that each team and its members have the chance to focus on the competition.
- 5. Parents should maintain a professional, positive, and respectful relationship with the other team parents and students. Criticism of, and negative comments to, any student on any team must be avoided.
- 6. Parents should not question decisions of the Coach or team in front of team members or event officials. Please speak with the Coach privately about any concerns – the Coach is always willing to talk with you.
- 7. Respect the decisions of judges, referees, and event staff. Parents should not speak with these officials (this can get a team disqualified from an event). Please bring any questions or concerns to the Coach.
- 8. Please have your student communicate directly with the Coach about their concerns, conflicts, attendance issues, etc. to complete their ownership of all aspects of being a Robotics Team member.
- 9. Understand that prior membership on the team does not guarantee continued team membership. As with any sport, team composition is looked at holistically during the application process every year.
Please join the Coach in encouraging your student to have fun, work hard, fail with dignity, and win with grace.