For Parents

Robotics Summary

The Chicago Style Botdogs (FRC 4645), unofficially robotics, is part of Lane Tech's numerous highly competitive academic teams. The Chicago Style Botdogs is registered as a team in the First Robotics Competition (FRC), an internationally recognized engineering competition in which teams must work together to construct an industrial-grade robot in six weeks. The Chicago Style Botdogs' members have the rare opportunity to experience hands-on work in engineering, programming, electronics, and social outreach, skills essential to students interested in engineering during and beyond high school.

Some of our team highlights include:

100+ diverse members, with over 40% female membership
3 separate invitations to FIRST Championship, the highest and most prestigious competitive level in FRC
6 separate Spirit Awards, an award that commemorates a team's teamwork, general team spirit, and community outreach in FRC
Many members of the Chicago Style Botdogs have received opportunities to attend internationally ranked colleges, including Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign

Team Organization

Our team consists of a primarily student-led leadership structure; our team structure consists of subteam leads, team captains, and team coaches. Any student is eligible for any student leadership position, given experience and team consensus.

The Chicago Style Botdogs takes place in three seasons: Pre-Season, Build Season, and Competition Season.

In our pre-season, members work on side projects, such as building test robots and practicing electronic sets in preparation for the Build Season. Moreover, members are taught by our subteam leads on the subjects of Mechanical and Design, Softronics and Electronics, Strategy and Scouting, and Media and Marketing to enhance their practical engineering, programming, strategic, and communication skills.

Our build season allows team members to hone in and use their previous or acquired skills over the pre-season. During early January to early March, team members work together in a rigorous competition to build a competitive, industrial-grade robot in only six short weeks.

In our competition season, members are invited to watch and cheer on our competition robot as it competes in tournaments throughout Illinois. FRC competitions allow members to marvel at their work, and competitions allow members to network with other aspiring engineers, ultimately creating everlasting friendships inside and outside our team.

Student Responsibilities

Every year, each member of the Chicago Style Botdogs must sign a responsibility contract and safety sheet, regardless of their position on the team. During the entire year, students are always within close vicinity of power tools, active robots, and saws. It is expected of the student to treat every tool and machine as safely as possible.

If a student violates any guideline in the responsibility contract or safety sheet, or if the student and parent do not sign the safety contract and safety sheet, then the student cannot participate in the current FRC season.

Students must pay a $65 membership fee to the "Lane Tech Computer Science Booster Club" through the Lane Tech Computer Science Department website or in person through our head coach, Mr. Berg.

If a student does not pay the membership fee, they cannot participate that year in the Chicago Style Botdogs. However, exceptions can be made for those who cannot pay the membership fee. If you have any questions regarding the membership fee, contact our head coach at rberg@cps.edu.

Frequently Asked Q&A

What does a FRC Competition look like?

FRC Competitions have the same level of intensity as a sports match; however, there is a significantly higher amount of cooperation between the teams, making the event a friendly, extremely competitive event.

What effort is expected out of a member of the Chicago Style Botdogs?

There are not necessarily preferences on the amount of effort a team member puts into robotics, but we expect all members to try their hardest for every day they attend.

What skills are required for robotics?

No prior skills are necessary; all interested students are welcome to join!

What is the average workload of a member of the Chicago Style Botdogs?

The workload of a member is dependent on the dedication of the member. Any robotics member can attend a meeting from one day to five days a week, depending on how much effort a member gives to the team.