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Respecting and Dealing with Hetero/Cis Teammates

1/25/2017

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As we enter week three of build season, the stress is probably starting to climb and teams should be well on their way to making a functional robot. By now freshmen should be introduced to the craziness that is FRC, and upperclassmen are probably hard at work or arguing over design ideas for the umpteenth time this week. Robotics teams are, in my experience, like a huge dysfunctional family. FIRST robotics is made up of a very diverse group of people, all coming together to build amazing robots. As much as some individuals like to poke fun at The Straights™ here on tumblr, they’re still going to be your teammates. All joking aside, you’re still going have to deal with, and respect hetero/cis people on your team. In order for a team to be functional, everyone has to respect each other equally. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when dealing with those who are not LGBTQ+ on your team.
  • Don’t pick fights, but stand up against discrimination: It’s important that your teammates respect you, and that you respect them. If someone is being homophobic/transphobic- call them out on it. Don’t let yourself get pushed down because others don’t respect you. If you feel you’re in an unsafe situation, try reaching out to a mentor or another adult you trust. You deserve to be safe just as much as everyone else.
  • Educate- don’t berate: It’s important to educate people on issues if they don’t know it, because sometimes people just don’t know. If they’re willing to listen to reason, by all means give them some information about your situation and LGBTQ+ issues. When you’re educating someone however, put-downs are not okay. You want them to respect you, not turn against you. Mutual respect is very important.
  • PDA and Relationships- Keep it professional: If you have to deal with PDA, it can be obnoxious for everyone- regardless of orientation. If you’re dating someone on your team, don’t let it get in the way of your work. The same goes for hetero/cis people. Sure, a quick kiss on the cheek and holding hands is all good, but don’t let it become a detriment to your team.
  • They can be your allies: If your team is accepting of you, they can be your biggest allies. Use that to your advantage. Those who stick up for you regardless of your personal identities are the ones you should keep close to you.
  • Agree to Disagree: Sometimes you just aren’t going to win. Certain people cannot be reasoned with, and sometimes you have to just walk away. Whether it be a debate about sexuality or politics or anything else, you might just have to be the bigger person. Don’t waste your energy on someone who’s not going to listen to you.
  • Stay Safe: It’s been said before, and I’ll say it again, your personal safety is a number one priority. Robotics should be a safe space for everyone. If you decide to come out to your teammates, start with those you trust the most. If it’s safer to stay in the closet, do not by any means feel pressured to come out. Safety is a big theme in FIRST, and it should apply to mental safety as well. Distance yourself from those teammates who make you feel unsafe, and find solace in those you do trust.
In the six weeks that you’re stuck with your team, there’s bound to be some conflicts and bumps in the road. Make the most of it, and remember that mutual respect is key. Have a safe and fun build season, and best of luck to all of you nerds!
- Kira K. 5683

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Anon - Coming Out Advice

1/22/2017

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anonymous asked:

Hey I'm from 1796 and I don't know if I should come out to my team or not I've been trying decide for a awhile, any advice?

Firstly: I recommend against coming out if you feel like it will put you in an unsafe situation. Your own safety should come first.

Secondly: It’s often a good idea to come out to one person or a small group of people first, to test the waters, before coming out to the group as a whole. Depending on your situation, you may not even need to come out to the group all at once.

Thirdly: Pick the right time to come out. In the middle of build season, when tensions are high and stress is rampant, may not be the best time to tell someone something this important.

If you want more of our advice, you can check out our #coming out tag!

Best of luck!

-Aryn 4982

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LGBTQ+ of FTC and FLL

1/19/2017

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This is a stressful time of year for all of us. Seniors are applying and hearing back from schools, juniors are planning visits, midterms are around the corner, and it’s also build season. It’s really easy to get carried away with the stress and forget about the outside world. Even in the midst of the FRC build season, we still have to remember the FLL and FTC teams that are building and competing for their competitions. Being a safe space and resource for LGBTQ+ youth in FIRST, we want to include everyone, not just FRC members. Life is really stressful as an LGBTQ+ kid, especially with an extracurricular activity as stressful and time consuming as any FIRST organization.
To all my fellow LGBTQ+ FIRSTers out there, I love you, we love you, and your identity is valid, no matter how young you are. Whatever you feel is what is true of your experience. You may change your labels as you come upon ones that fit you better, and that’s okay. Finding your place in the LGBTQ+ community is confusing, but I promise you, it is worth it. As your classmates mature, the taunting will stop and you’ll feel safer, Even if high school is rough, the world is so much bigger than your small community. The world is big and amazing and full of so many opportunities and support for you. Don’t give up.
To the mentors and teachers, support your LGBTQ+ students, even if they are young. Puberty is a rough time for everyone, but especially for LGBTQ+ kids who are growing into an experience they weren’t prepared for. If a student comes out to you, support them. Lend them a shoulder if they need to cry, and build them up. Without support, almost 60% of LGBTQ+ people will attempt suicide, but if you give your students support, that high rate exponentially decreases.  
“Results suggested that a hostile school climate has serious ramifications for LGBT students but institutional supports can play a significant role in making schools safer for these students,” [x].
To everyone in FIRST, you can make a safer environment for LGBTQ+ youth. You can start a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) or Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) at your lower schools. You can practice using gender inclusive languages such as “hey, students” instead of “hello, boys and girls.” You can introduce yourself with you pronouns (ex: “Hi, I’m Sean and I use he/him pronouns"). Most importantly, you can be there your your students, because being there makes a huge difference.

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Words of Wisdom to my Younger Self

1/14/2017

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Through the years, I’ve always found that you tend to look back and face a lot of regret. Things you should have done but didn’t, and things you did and shouldn’t have. I, for one, have a ton of helpful tips for my younger self. Middle school me was a disaster, y’all. An absolute terror. I don’t even remember my middle school years, that’s how bad I was as a small child.
There have always been thoughts in the back of my mind about my past self. What my life could be like now if I could have heard these thoughts back when I needed them.
  • Take more selfies. Love yourself, and adore how you look. You are beautiful, no matter what.
  • Know that there are more pronouns than just she/her and he/him. Embrace them. Learn their pronunciations. Not knowing what pronouns you prefer is perfectly fine. Experiment, do your research, figure it out.
  • Draw. Write. Read. Do what you love to do, regardless of judgement. You will wish you did later on in life.
  • Not knowing what you are or who you like is okay. You’re young: experiment, figure it out.
  • Always make sure that when you date someone, they aren’t too old for you. Someone saying that you are “mature for your age” should be an alarm bell, not a compliment.
  • It is okay to be uncertain about dating. You do not have to date anyone if you do not wish to, especially if you feel like you “have to” to fit in.
  • Artists crave feedback on their art. Share exactly what you like about art, regardless of how embarrassed or flustered it makes the artist. They need to hear it far more than you need to say it.
  • You are nobody’s therapist. You are young and should not have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
  • Research mental illnesses in your own time. Take note of their symptoms and ask yourself if you may be suffering from one. Share this information with your parents as soon as possible—as much as you don’t want them to hurt, they will hurt more from not knowing.
  • Taking care of yourself is important. Your mental health should always come first, regardless of what you may be missing.
  • An abundance of individuals attracted to you does not make you overly sexualized. Learn to tell the difference between those who like you for your personality versus those who want you for your looks.
  • Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength, as you are able to tell when you need help. Do not listen to those who say otherwise.
  • Enjoying gay literature does not make you “sinful” or “a sinner” for the simple fact that you enjoy it. Do not fall for the lies of those who claim otherwise, especially when straight fanfiction of the same genre is not given the same treatment.
  • Know that even though your parents want what’s best for you that they aren’t quite sure how to go about doing it. This does not require you to cherish and respect them if they have not earned it.
  • Just because you can eat an entire ten pound bag of m&m’s in one sitting does not mean you should.
These are just a fraction of the things I wish I could tell my younger self. I had my ups and downs, but there are so many things I wish my younger self would know. Because my past self wouldn’t listen to this advice anyways (stubborn little kid, I know) I leave this advice with all of you. Perhaps others can learn from my mistakes.
- Wheatley S. 2421

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The Do’s and Don’t’s of Build Week Flu

1/12/2017

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Every year, we all get to experience the joys of build season. The excitement at creating robots becomes the backdrop of daily life from January all through February, during times in High School when midterm exams and 3rd Quarter Projects are important. However, during Build Season there is a key aspect to keep in mind. Something that doesn’t often get discussed.

Flu Season.

Yes, I get to stand on my metaphorical pedestal and teach you all how to handle getting sick during build season.

Now, the most common thing for people on the team to catch is a cold; with everyone in such a confined space, something as simple as a cold can wipe out and exhaust a decently large chunk of your workforce and remove a valuable chunk of time from your build season (I have personally experienced this and I can tell you it is Not A Fun Time). So, what do you do if you get sick during build season?

DO:
  • Take care of yourself! Take time away from meetings to heal and get better.
  • Wash your hands. Basic, but necessary.
  • Drink water! Water is good for you. If you can’t drink water (IE you don’t have it or don’t like the taste), then drink something like apple juice.
  • Drink something carbonated if you feel nauseous; it helps to keep food down. If you feel nauseous, drink this instead of water (Water won’t help you keep anything down).
  • Wash your hands.
  • Eat the BRAT diet (Bread, Rice, Apples, and Toast). If you can’t keep that down, eat some saltines.
  • Question if a swallow could potentially carry a coconut, be it African or European.
  • Wash
  • Your
  • Hands
  • Sleep! Yes, I know that school and Robotics and homework supply a very meager amount of time to sleep, especially with AP classes to handle. Try to get a bit more sleep than is normal for you, and your body will thank you for it.

DON’T:
  • Cough on other people.
  • Cough on the tools.
  • Cough on the Robot.
  • Cough on a mentor.
  • Go to the meetings, ESPECIALLY if you feel nauseous (seriously, just stay home and rest if you’re that sick).
  • Summon a demon to take your illness away (Trust me, your soul is worth much more than a cold or the flu).
  • Procure the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch (Teach me your ways if you get the Real Deal) and save it to use on the field
  • Fight 3 or more Geese over a poptart
  • Not wash your hands

Overall, it’s very important to take care of your health during Build Season. As much as I know there will be That One Kid who goes to a build meeting while sick, you don’t have to be that kid. You’re a responsible FIRST-er who knows how to build robots from the ground up, coding and/or physical build wise, and your team is counting on you. You have the freedom and the smarts to know not to risk accidentally getting the rest of your team sick with FIRST-itis (which, contrary to my mentor’s beliefs, is nowhere near as bad as LARP-itis) and can keep yourself and others healthy.

Remember: If all else fails, wash your hands. There’s a lot of germs in a lot of places; the best way to keep yourself healthy is to prevent yourself from getting sick from the get-go.

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Maneuvering Political Discussion Within Teams

1/11/2017

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The discussion of politics sometimes feels somewhat like defense being played - a little like the gif above. On my team, politics is an unavoidable and often amusing discussion. Usually, it consists of Ronald Reagan fanboys regaling a time they never experienced and awkward posturing regarding topics such as “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Sometimes, the topics become absurd, such as why the US should have Brazil as a primary ally during World War Three (we shouldn’t).

With the current political atmosphere, politics is as divisive as ever, and coming from team with a lot of political opinions, navigating that can be complicated. The obvious answer is: avoid it! However, what’s the fun in that? Sometimes, talking politics (and even religion) can be an entertaining use of time as the build season hours get longer and longer.

Firstly, be civil. Whether or not there’s consensus on a subject isn’t an excuse to lose your temper or your humanity. While politics may be interesting to talk about, it’s not an excuse to throw punches.

Additionally, if you have another team member purposely being antagonistic, don’t take the bait. There’s no reason to take the low road. If you think the discussion could lead into a fight, don’t begin the discussion.

Admit when you’re wrong! This one goes whether or not you’re talking about politics, especially when regarding misinformation. You can definitely learn something new when talking to someone about issues that really matter to them, and make sure you keep phrases like, “I hadn’t thought of it like that,” in your arsenal. There’s always more to learn!
Be compassionate! Many people are personally affected by political issues which leads to differing views on the subject. Everyone has reasons for why they believe the things they do. Of course, if someone is diminishing your humanity, there’s no reason for this, but make sure to have empathy when discussing something controversial.

Know when to walk away! Whether it’s just not the right time for politics in the shop or you can’t personally handle it - that’s OK! After all, there is a robot to build!

Being cramped together with your team isn’t always a fun experience, but take the opportunity to learn from others and make sure that they learn from you too.

-Kiran L. 2826  

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Words of Encouragement from FRC Alumni

1/8/2017

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Even though I’ve graduated high school, I’m just as excited to learn what the new competition will be about as I was when I was still competing. At the time of writing this, that knowledge is a mystery: My theory is that you all will be required to use pneumatics in some way, shape, or form (though I won’t be surprised if I’m wrong).

The thrill of the day of Kickoff has always been something I’ve enjoyed. When I was still a part of my team, I was able to attend all four Kickoff events for each competition (That’d be Stronghold, Recycle Rush, Aerial Assist, and Ultimate Ascent). The filler videos are always hilariously cheesy, the animation explaining the rules of the game are always adorable (The robot with the boot is the real MVP), and the collaboration between teammates gushing about robot ideas the moment Kickoff ends is always incredibly inspiring. I’m sure I speak for many, if not all, FIRST Alumni when I say that I’ll miss being able to attend Kickoff.

I know that a lot of you will have meetings the day of Kickoff, and that you’ll start building that week (if not the same day) after planning what you want your bot to be able to do. In six short weeks, your ~120 pound masterpieces will be the result of individual thought crafted into a machine for competition.

I, along with all other FIRST Alumni, wish those competing this year a lovely build season! I hope you never lose your allen wrenches, screws, and other tools! For those in cold climates, I hope your build site is heated and comfortably warm.

-Wheatley, Team 2421 Alumni
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FRC Kickoff 2017

1/7/2017

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FRC Kickoff 2017 – FIRST Steamworks

We hope that everybody is as excited for Kickoff as us, because this game is certainly something else.

As they said, it’s the first year that we’ll have human players on the team and that’s extremely exciting! The entire game as a whole is extremely interesting and we hope that everyone will succeed this year. Stronghold was a great game, but in my opinion this one looks even better!

There’s quite a lot to this game, so get to reading the game manual and watching the videos if you haven’t!

Something very exciting happened during the stream! We noticed two people FIRST staff wearing our lapel pins, once of which was Woodie Flowers!
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Here’s a closeup of the our pins:
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We hope that everybody has a safe and fun build season. Thank you Woodie Flowers for wearing one of our pins! It means a lot to us!

– Jaye B. 2729
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Dating Within Teams (Especially as an LGBTQ+ Student)

1/5/2017

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The clocks are ticking; there’s only two more days until Kickoff! There’s a lot to think about during this time, such as designing and building a robot, writing code, finishing Chairman’s essays, preparing scouting systems, the list goes on and on. Last, but certainly not least, comes dating.

Dating is always tricky, but it can be even more difficult during build season. It’s hard finding time around robotics to balance homework, self-care, jobs, and relationships. As an LGBT+ student, all these factors and more come into play. By dating, you might risk outing yourself or others; and accidentally creating drama on the team if relations are not kept business-like and graciously professional. Hopefully after reading this, maneuvering the robotics dating field will be much easier!

  1. Time Management- Don’t completely neglect your partner during build season. Communicate that there will have to be less time spent together, and decide upon a regular time of the week to go on dates. Make sure to leave time for yourself and homework, too! Personally, the only way I could accomplish this was reducing my work schedule to four hours per week.
  2. Announcing the Relationship- Be aware of your partner’s needs; if they do not give you consent to tell others about the relationship, then don’t. If you tell others anyways, remember that you might be outing them to people they aren’t ready to be out to yet, or maybe your partner just doesn’t want to create any unnecessary tension or drama on the team.
  3. Dealing With Drama- Maybe you and your partner broke up. Maybe your team felt it unprofessional to be flamboyantly dating and having public displays of affection. Maybe someone else is jealous. Whatever the case may be, drama isn’t fun for anyone involved. Therefore, if there are any breakups, try to maintain a civil relationship with your ex. If your team doesn’t want you to have PDA, tone it down a notch and remember to use the same manners as you would at a family gathering where your grandparents are watching your every move. If someone is jealous, don’t rub the relationship in their face, and follow a similar procedure to the one described in the previous sentence.

Dating is always complicated, but if you handle it maturely, your relationship can survive the stress of build and competition season. Good luck to all teams as you take on FIRST Steamworks!

-August S. 2194
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8 Ways to Stay Healthy During Build Season

1/4/2017

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Three more days until kickoff! You know what this means: pizza, caffeine, and no sleep for 42 days.

However, despite all the jokes we all make about awful diets and bad sleep habits, self-care is something we all need to remember during build season. Here are some tips to stay healthy as we approach a time when our health often, unfortunately, ends up as a low priority.

  1. Reusable water bottles. Water is pretty important for obvious reasons, but multiple bottles of water can be tiring to lug around. Plus, it’s better for the environment than the recyclable water bottles.
  2. Sports drinks in moderation. Although water is always a good go-to when you need to hydrate, if you’ve been sweating a lot, you also need to replenish the electrolytes you lose. Drinks like Powerade and Pocari Sweat are great for those purposes.
  3. Don’t fall asleep in a binder. We all know how it happens: after a long day’s work, you get home, plop in bed, and pass out in grimy clothing. It’s fine. Just make sure you remove your binder if you wear one.
  4. Utilize team sweatshirts and layers. Depending on what part of the world you live in, it can get pretty cold outside, so make sure to bundle up when traveling to and from your team’s shop. If you wear a binder, you can also use sweatshirts and larger clothing to take a break.
  5. Fruit instead of sweets. And most snacks in general. Vitamin C prevents colds, which is extremely important when you spend a lot of time close to people in the winter. It’ll also help prevent breakouts.
  6. Protein bars. Pizza is the solution to almost all your problems most of the time, but if you’re eating it three meals a day, that’s a problem that can’t be solved by more pizza. Protein bars are just one alternative, and a fantastic one at that.
  7. Set an alarm for lunchtime. Speaking of eating three meals a day, you need to make sure you really have three meals a day. It also goes for anything else you need to remember at a certain time, like picking up an object, taking your meds, checking a monitor, etc. This is also useful during competition season, because it’s very easy to forget in the heat of things.
  8. Work out. You don’t necessarily have to do any intense workouts, but doing at least one physically active thing for an hour each week serves as a good distraction from spending so much brainpower on robots every day. It will also help prevent you from passing out at competitions when you run back and forth between the pits and the stands, or when everyone gets up to do the Macarena.

Good luck, and remember: safety and your health come FIRST.

-Errica 1073
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    About LGBTQ+ of FIRST

    LGBTQ+ of FIRST is a student run organization that advocates awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ students, mentors, and volunteers of FIRST Robotics. LGBTQ+ of FIRST reaches out to over 1000 members across the FIRST regions and fronts multiple outreach endeavors.

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