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Parent's Corner

Welcome, parents and guardians!

Thank you for your interest in S.P.A.M. (Speed, Power, and Maneuverability) Robotics Inc., FRC Team 180. We're thrilled to have you as part of our community as we inspire the next generation of STEM innovators on the Treasure Coast. This page is your hub for everything you need to know about supporting your student, registering for the program, and getting involved yourself. Our mission is to promote STEM growth through hands-on robotics, and your involvement makes it all possible.

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Whether you're new to FIRST Robotics or a returning family, we're here to help. Let's build robots, skills, and futures together!

Fall Kick-Off Meeting Presentation

Missed the September 4, 2025, Fall Kick-Off? No problem! We've got the full presentation right here. This covers who we are, what we do, why join, costs, events, and more. Download or view the PDF below to get up to speed.​

Key highlights from the presentation:
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  • Who We Are: A FIRST Robotics team for students ages 14-18 on the Treasure Coast, with mentors, parents, and alumni driving our mission to build the STEM workforce.

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  • What We Do: Design, build, and program 150 lb. robots to compete internationally—travel to regionals and (hopefully) Worlds in Houston!

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  • Why Join?: Hands-on experiences, scholarships ($80M available through FIRST, plus our own $5K pool), industry contacts, volunteer hours, and FUN.

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  • The Year Ahead: Training starts now (Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM), competitions in January-April, summer camps and banquets.

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  • Costs: $250 registration (includes FIRST fee, shirts, and initial travel); competitions $350-750 (sponsorships help!).

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  • Events: FLL Scrimmage (Oct 18), Orlando Regional (Mar 19-21), and more—see page 12 for the full schedule.

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  • Meet the Board: Check page 10 for our adult and student leaders.

How to Register Your Student

Getting started is easy! Registration ensures your child is officially part of Team 180 and FIRST. We require two steps: FIRST registration (mandatory for all competitors) and our team forms (for internal tracking and waivers).

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Step 1: Register with FIRST Robotics

  • All students must be added to the official FIRST system. Follow these steps:

  • Go to the FIRST website: Navigate to www.firstinspires.org.

  • Create an account: In the upper-right corner, click "Register" to create a parent/guardian account using your name, date of birth, and email address.

  • Access the Youth Registration System: Once logged in, go to the "Parent/Guardian – Youth" tab.

  • Add your youth: Click the blue "Add a Youth" button and enter your child's profile information (name, DOB, etc.).

  • Enter school information: Provide your youth's school details on the next screen.

  • Accept the consent form: Type your name into the designated field and click "Accept & Submit" on the Consent and Release Form page.

  • Apply to the team: On the "Apply to Team" page, select the FRC program and enter Team Number 180. (If you need the team code or have questions, email us at info@spamrobotics.org.)

  • This process takes about 10-15 minutes. Once complete, your child will receive a confirmation email.

  • Financial Hardship? No student is turned away for inability to pay—reach out to us privately for support options.

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Step 2: Complete Team Forms


Step 3: Pay the Registration $250 fee​​

 

You can pay the registration fee in one of two ways:

 

  • Check or Cash: Bring your payment along with the FRC student packet.

  • Debit or Credit Card: Request an invoice by emailing frcteam180@gmail.com with the subject line: Invoice Request. In your email, please include:

     

    • Your student’s full name

    • The team they participate in (FRC, FTC, or FLL)

     


Register Now – Team Forms due to participate at the S.P.A.M. Stem Robotics Center.​

Get Involved as a Parent!

Parents are the backbone of S.P.A.M.—your expertise, time, and enthusiasm amplify our impact. No robotics background required! Here's how you can contribute (inspired by our presentation on page 18):

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Non-Technical Roles (Flexible & Rewarding)

  • Travel Planning: Help coordinate trips to competitions (meals, lodging—details on page 15).

  • Fundraising & Grants: Approach local businesses for sponsorships (page 16) or write grant proposals. Engineering firms love supporting us!

  • Marketing & Outreach: Share our story on social media, design flyers, or volunteer at events like the Stuart Air Show (Nov 7-9).

  • Admin & Paperwork: Assist with documentation or thank-you notes to sponsors.

  • Mentoring Younger Teams: Guide FLL/FTC kids at our tournaments (Dec 13) or scrimmages (Oct 18).

 

Technical Roles (If That's Your Jam)

  • Shop Support: Supervise machining, woodworking, or wiring during Monday workshops (wear safety glasses & closed-toe shoes!).

  • CAD/Programming Help: Share skills during training season (Sept-Dec).

  • Event Volunteering: Score matches or run pits at regionals.

Parent Meetings

Join us the first Monday of each month (6:30-7:30 PM) for updates, Q&A, and planning. All are welcome—it's a great low-commitment way to start!

 

​​Earn Travel Discounts? Work a S.P.A.M. Camp (June, July, or November) to knock up to $500 off 2026 fees (page 17).

 

Your involvement not only helps the team but builds your child's network too—think company tours at FPL or LifePort (page 9)! Ready to jump in? Email parents@spamrobotics.org or chat with President James Jones at meetings.
 

Quick Parent FAQ

  • Meetings? Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM at the S.P.A.M. STEM Center. Starts Sept 8!

  • Travel Optional?  Yes—participate without leaving Martin County.

  • Scholarships?  Our team awards $5K+ based on involvement (page 8); FIRST has $80M more!

  • Safety First: Closed-toe shoes & glasses required in the pit (page 19).

Quick Parent FAQ

  • Meetings? Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM at the S.P.A.M. STEM Center. Starts Sept 8!

  • Travel Optional?  Yes—participate without leaving Martin County.

  • Scholarships?  Our team awards $5K+ based on involvement (page 8); FIRST has $80M more!

  • Safety First: Closed-toe shoes & glasses required in the pit (page 19).

Questions?

We're an open book. Reach out anytime!

 

See you Monday and don't forget those closed-toe shoes! 🚀

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Last Updated: September 11, 2025

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