Team Overdrive

David, Marissa, James, Kevin, Gina, Tyler, Bethany

A Home Educated High School Robotics Team

Who is Team Overdrive?

Team Overdrive is giving home educated students a unique real life learning experience in the world of engineering, science and technology. Structured problem solving skills, milestone driven scheduling, community involvement, and teamwork are the hallmarks of Team Overdrive.   Our mission is to build-up young community leaders who will challenge the next generation in innovation, sustainable development, and the ethical application of technology.  Professional teachers, engineers, software designers, and project managers are among our dedicated team of mentors and coaches.  The students are practicing skills typically learned only in a corporate environment.  Team Overdrive is committed to bringing the classroom into the real world.  The end result is top-notch young adults ready to lead the next generation. 

The 2006 - 2007 season represented the pilot year for Team Overdrive.  The team was spawned from the collective experiences of students interested in science, computers and technology.  Through the urging of enthusiastic students and the efforts of parents, the team was formed as a 501(c)(3) educational organization in Somerset County, New Jersey.  The non-profit organization is called Teen Technology.

Team Overdrive provides an opportunity for home educated students to get hands on experience in the world of design, engineering and technology played out in the spirit of sports through the annual FTC Robotics Competition. Our team promotes the learning of skills such as initiative, leadership, teamwork, collaboration, public speaking, writing and fundraising.  Our membership is open to any student who is willing to learn and work hard.     

What is FIRST? 

FIRST was founded in 1989.  In the first year 28 teams went to one event and played in the first Robotics Competition in a New Hampshire high school gymnasium.  By 2006, over 1000 teams, with over 600 corporate sponsors, competed in 26 regional events culminating in the National Championship event at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  FIRST also sponsors a FIRST LEGO League competition and a series of education-related projects and programs.  FIRST is a 501(c) (3) organization headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire (www.usfirst.org).

How do we measure success?

• We expect 100% of our students to go on to four year colleges and universities

• We expect our students to develop “technical literacy” making them prepared citizens for tomorrow’s difficult challenges

• We expect our students to develop excellent communication skills evidenced by giving PowerPoint presentations to corporations

• We expect the highest ethical behavior and concern for others

   

  One of our students from last year's team, Scott Jaran, is currently attending RPI on a scholarship in aeronautical engineering.

   

  How do we benefit the community?

   

  The long term benefit of FIRST seems quite evident.  But, how can we make a difference today?  Team Overdrive wants to make a difference now.  We plan philanthropic and community oriented activities just like we do the design and construction of our robots:

   

  • We volunteer our time & robots at FIRST events to help get more interest in FIRST & FTC 

  • We are inspiring grade school kids to get excited about science and engineering by inviting them to robot demonstrations and our build meetings

  • We are mentoring other teams who have admired our success at tournaments (e.g. Bridgewater High School’s FTC team)
  • We give 10% of our funds that we raise to a rookie FTC team