Downingtown Area Robotics is a volunteer non-profit organization that teaches K-12 students hands-on skills. We teach STEM skills, leadership skills and life skills. We also teach marketing, project management, social media management and communication skills to our students who are not interested in STEM skills. We use FIRST robotics as a framework for our programs.
Our students come from around the Chester County Area. DAR Robotics is not a school-based team so everyone is welcome to join!
DAR Robotics consists of 4 programs that are highlighted below.
DAR consistently competes in the Robotics Competitions held by FIRST.
A critical dimension of Team operations is Fundraising. No money, no robots!
The Beginning: FRC Team 1640 was founded with 12 students in 2005 by Downingtown East High School physics teacher, Paul Sabatino. Prior to joining the Downingtown East faculty, Mr. Sabatino mentored FRC Team 104 in the West Chester School District.
The name Sab-BOT-Age is derived from Paul Sabatino's vital contributions towards Downingtown Area Robotics.
The Process: In 2011, the team had to leave the aegis of the Downingtown Area School District and formed Downingtown Area Robotics, Inc. (DAR). By 2011, the FRC 1640 team now encompasses thirty five students from throughout Chester County and more than a dozen mentors.
While the organization has expanded its scope to include a FIRST Tech Challenge team and hosts two FIRST LEGO League events annually, FRC 1640 remains solidly the core of DAR.
Present Day: As of now, DAR is a large program and is ever-expanding. We consist of 6 FLL and Explorer Teams, 3 FTC Teams, and 1 FRC team.
The organization has expanded its scope and magnitude on all FIRST programs and became world competitors in all of them!
In Downingtown Area Robotics, we utilize CAD programs (Computer-Aided Design) to help design custom, light-weight pieces for our robot and we use assemblies of the parts for prototype purposes. These softwares include Onshape and the SolidWorks licensing program.
DAR Robotics also uses CAM programs (Computer Aided Manufacturing) to design and manufacture parts using aluminum, steel, etc.
In Downingtown Area Robotics, we utilize machining to design our drive trains and other components of the robot to our particular design.
Machining allows us to be creative with our designs and not be limited to pre-machined parts sold by companies such as Andymark, etc.
In Downingtown Area Robotics, we use 3D printers in our FTC and FRC programs to design custom-pieces in a more efficient manner.
Our 3d printed parts are used in many different aspects such as gears, battery holders, bearing holders, spools, etc.
An integral part for the DAR community is fundraising. This is how we fund all the materials necessary to build the robots and get ready for our competitions.
DAR Robotics fundraises in many different ways. Some, but not limited to, include hosting FLL scrimmages and qualifiers, promotions on social media, etc.
In all the DAR programs, it requires programming. Whether it is programming gyro sensors in FTC and FRC or coding autonomous period in FLL, each team will need programming software in order to successfully complete the game during the robotics season.
The programming used is based upon the Java programming language and can be used in simplified block coding for programs such as FLL and even FTC.
In FTC, the team will need to develop an engineering notebook. This engineering notebook provides write-ups, acts as a daily log, and displays the team’s application of the engineering design process.
The notebooks are an integral process of any team and is directly translated to real-life application. There is even an award First programs give in the robotics competitions for the best engineering notebook!
At DAR, we are proud of the mentors that have risen to guide the next generation of FIRST. The mentors help the students complete the mission with supervision and guidance throughout the way!
Mentors do not have to have an engineering background as our teams have several different aspects (marketing, budget, etc.)