About Team 4469
Who Are We?
Thomas Jefferson High School’s FIRST Team 4469 – Raider Artificial Intelligence Division – Is an extracurricular club at the high school. The team is open to any and all students attending TJHS or an area high school that does not have their own team. With the help of adult mentors and volunteers, team 4469 builds a robot to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) game every year. Robotics is more than technical skills; students have the opportunity to learn fundamentals of leadership, marketing, communication, business, and more. More than the success in competition, Team 4469 cares that the students grow both academically, socially, and intellectually and realize the value of a good education.
Our Mission
We are a team that is dedicated to reaching out to anyone and everyone who is interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math and giving these students the opportunity to work as a team to design, build, test, and compete with a functioning machine capable of completing set tasks. Our team is not a group of “nerds” that only have their noses in computers and wires and flashing lights. Our team is a group of individuals that together can make something awesome. 6 weeks of intense energy and competitions can turn even the shyest of humans into a closely knit group through the trials, successes and failures that we encounter. This learning is what we strive for: To bring out the best in us, to advance us as a team, and to promote STEM in our community as well as in the world around us. education.
What is FIRST?
From the FIRST organization:
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
FIRST is more than robots. FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21st century work-life skills.
To learn more, please visit the FIRST website.
Get Involved
Students
We’re thrilled that you’ve found us and want to join our team. RAID welcomes all students enrolled at Thomas Jefferson High School and surrounding schools that don’t have their own team regardless of any prior skills.
Students wishing to join Team 4469 must be in good academic standing and attend all beginning of the year team meetings where they will get more information on the team.
Mentors
We always need more mentors to train and teach our students. Mentors are always needed in the design/build aspect of the robotics team. Mentors are also needed on the business side of the team to keep the team running well.
Volunteers are always wanted and needed at competitions across all levels of FIRST. FIRST Washington only employs 3 full time staff members, making it incredibly important to have people step up and volunteer. If you want to help out that way, information can be found here.
Our Awards
FIRST recognizes FRC teams for excellence in design, creativity, innovation, culture changing behavior and competition performance. Judges at each competition event interview teams and watch team behavior, both on and off the competition field, as they evaluate everyone for awards.
Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors, Bonney Lake District Event
Innovation in Control Award, Bonney Lake District Event
Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox, Mount Vernon District Event
Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox, West Valley District Event
Excellence in Engineering Award sponsored by Delphi, Pacific Northwest District Championship
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation, Houston Championship – Galileo-Roebling Division
Team Spirit Award sponsored by FCA Foundation, Auburn District Event
Event Finalist, Auburn Mountainview District Event
Woodie Flowers Nominee, Tod Byquist, Glacier Peak District Event
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation, Auburn Mountainview District Event
Event Winner, Auburn District Event
Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox, Auburn District Event
Event Winner, Pacific Northwest District Championship, Portland, OR
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation, Auburn Mountainview District Event
Event Finalist, Auburn District Event
Excellence in Engineering Award sponsored by Delphi, Auburn District Event
Quality Award sponsored by Motorola, Auburn District Event