Our program has been carefully designed to meet the needs of all students with an interest in the subject, including a summer workshop for middle school students, introductory and intermediate academic courses for Choate Rosemary Hall students, a Sunday Team, and an Advanced Robotics Concentration (ARC) signature program.
Choate Robotics is dedicated to promoting inclusivity in all aspects of our program. We pride ourselves on welcoming all students, regardless of their student’s race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, nationality, or any other identifier.
Mission
The program was founded with the goal of educating inquisitive, motivated, and committed students in STEM. The program uses robotics to teach students important life skills such as self-confidence, innovation, and teamwork.
Strategy
The program has been carefully designed to meet the needs of all students with an interest in the subject, including introductory and intermediate academic courses, a Sunday Team, and an Advanced Robotics Concentration (ARC) signature program.
Vision
The program aims to inspire young minds to think creatively in the arts and sciences of engineering, programming, and design. By doing so, the curriculum teaches students to grow into an industry of the future.
Academic Courses
Details
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of robotics using the VEX platform. Students learn to design and build robots, to program autonomous behaviors, and to use sensors to improve their robots’ abilities to interact with their environment. This course serves as an introduction to aspects of computer programming and covers such fundamental topics as program design and control, looping, and Boolean logic. Prior programming experience is not necessary. Open to all students.
Details
This course in robotics builds on the fundamentals introduced in CS300, but students are expected to complete more advanced projects with greater autonomy. The design development process is further explored, and students learn to use more complex programming structures. In addition to the VEX platform, students may also be introduced to other robotics systems. Open to students who have completed CS300 or have the permission of the department.
CS450HO Robotics Design and Fabrication
Details
This course teaches students how to manage a project and design mechanical, electrical and programmable systems. Rather than working in predefined robotic environments (such as VEX), students use a variety of materials and systems to create their own robots from the ground up. Programmable microcontrollers provide a flexible environment that can be applied to many robotics projects and will be the main source of control logic. Students are expected to design and fabricate custom components. Important skills practiced in this class include: soldering, testing circuitry, CAD design, wiring, electrical prototyping with a breadboard, fabrication with power tools, programming with appropriate languages, and project management. Open to students who are in ARC or, as space is available, to students who have completed CS310 or have the permission of the department.
Details
This course includes all of the preparation ARC students complete to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Initially, students familiarize themselves with the typical components of a competition robot, while exploring how to best organize themselves into an effectively functioning team. Once the FRC game is revealed in January, the intensive build period begins. Students strategize how to approach the game and rapidly begin to prototype mechanisms for specific tasks. Testing and refining their designs, as well as adding and debugging appropriate programming, are continuously done until the end of the build period. Throughout the term, students, as a group, fully document their build and design process, and, individually, record their progress and reflections in their personal journals. Students practice communicating their ideas, in writing, drawings, or orally, throughout their work in the lab and at competitions. Open to students who have completed CS450HO and are in ARC.
Details
This course builds upon the work completed during the fall term course CS450. Students use a robot to explore autonomous tasks, including navigating, mapping, and solving mazes. Using sensors and encoders, students design automatic control and management systems which analyze and interpret feedback and provide programmed responses in robot behavior. A focus is placed on using organized and clear structure in programming as well as careful debugging of work. Open to students who are in ARC or, as space is available, to students who have completed CS450HO, CS550HO, or have the permission of the department.
Advanced Robotics Concentration
A three-term honors program which provides interested and motivated students the opportunity to explore robotics at the advanced level. The sequence of three courses includes the design and fabrication of mechanical, electrical, and control systems as well as in-depth autonomous programming including use of sensors, management systems, and virtual mapping. The heart of the program is the intensive and collaborative process of preparing for and competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a premier international robotics competition. Team-building, project management, and reflection are integrated throughout the program.
FALL
Students learn to design mechanical, electrical, and programmable systems. Programmable micro-controllers provide a flexible environment that can be applied to many of the class projects. Important skills are practiced in this class include: soldering, CAD design, wiring, electrical prototyping with a breadboard, and programming with appropriate languages.
WINTER
Once the FRC game is revealed in early January, the intesive build period begins. Students strategize how to approach the game and rapidly begin to prototype mechanisms for specific tasks. Testing and refining their designs, as well as adding and debugging appropriate programming, are continuously done until the end of the build period.
SPRING
Students learn to design and use autonomatic control and management systems to analyze and interpret feedback. Use of various sensors and encoders allow for programmed responses to the data. At the same time, students are expected to compete at FRC events in hopes of qualifying for and attending championship level events.
ARC Application Process
Rising fourth and fifth formers can apply to ARC.
Students should have taken (or plan to take) a pre-requisite course (CS300 Intro Robotics, CS310 Robotics II, MD230 Reverse Engineering, CS550 Computer Science, and/or MD310 Topics in Engineering) or have an approved equivalent background experience before beginning the program.
Application Deadline: Friday, February 9th, 2024
The ARC application is closed to enter the program in the 2022-2023 school year. Interested rising 4th formers and new 3rd formers should apply during the winter of 2023.
ARC Informational VIdeo
ARC Application
Sunday Team
The Sunday Team provides all Choate students access to explore and learn about various aspects of robotics whether or not they are enrolled in an academic course. This novice group is mentored by the students in ARC. Activities include:
Students design and build robots to compete in the VEX Robotics Competition.
Choate students mentor faculty and staff children in robotics. Approximately twenty elementary and middle school students make up teams in the Discover, Explore, and Challenge divisions of FLL.
Students assist FRC team with non-technical tasks.
our spaces
Lanphier Center
The Cameron and Edward Lanphier Center for Mathematics and Computer Science opened in 2015 and houses our robotics lab and all of Choate’s mathematics and computer science classes. It seamlessly integrates technology, education, and creativity into a 21st century curriculum.
Shattuck Robotics Lab
The Johannes Shattuck Robotics Lab provides over 1500 square feet of dedicated classroom and workshop space.
Robotics Workshop
Part of the Shattuck Robotics Lab suite, the adjacent workshop houses workspace and machining areas. Equipment includes bandsaws, drill press, sander, grinder, and hand power tools. CNC equipment includes ShopBot and Omio routers, Epilog laser cutters, and various 3D printers.
Lin i.d. Lab
Adjacent to the Shattuck Robotics Lab , the Lin i.d. Lab is the school’s makerspace, comprising of two classrooms supporting all kinds of design, fabrication, and engineering projects.
Lower Level Workroom
In the basement of the Lanphier center the robotics team has additional space for the field build team and a VRC practice field.
Macquire Gymnasium
Macquire Gym, on the upper campus, houses the team’s FRC practice field. The team shares this space with Choate’s archery team.
our history
The Choate Robotics program was founded in 2009. Our interscholastic Robotics Team was established in the fall of 2013 and competed in the VEX Robotics Competition as Team 6106 from 2013 to 2018. During this period the team grew from seven students building one robot to over fifty students fielding nine robots. The team’s robots qualified for and competed in the Southern New England Championship four times (with a total of 17 robots qualified) and at the VEX World Championship three times (4 robots total).
In 2018, the school established the Advanced Robotics Concentration and the team began to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition.