STEM & Outreach
Teams can strengthen community engagement and promote interest in STEM by participating in events, showcasing their work, and connecting with a wide range of audiences.
event running
Organizing events plays a key role in a team’s outreach efforts. Demonstrating a genuine commitment to engaging with your community can lead to valuable opportunities, such as attracting sponsors and participating in larger events in the future.
Building Community Through Event Hosting
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Many robotics teams host a robot reveal event before the competition season begins. It generates excitement within the team and the community, highlighting weeks of hard work and building anticipation for future opportunities.
Be sure to invite as many people as possible to events like these, including potential sponsors, school administrators, and local or state government officials.
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Be sure to try to participate in events that showcase clubs or schools in your community. You’ll be representatives of FIRST in your area with the goal of spreading STEM.
Middle schools have many opportunities in open houses or information nights to highlight possibilities in high school. Showcasing robotics at these is a common way to expand outreach.
Bigger events may allow for teams to bring their robot and operate it. These are great opportunities to explain the process behind building it and its functions, garnering interest to a higher degree.
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Make sure you’re prepared to bring all the necessary materials to get in contact with the community past the event.
Bring brochures, business cards, flyers, etc.
Showcase information on other upcoming events to increase participation in those!
Digital tools like TVs are something to consider, helping to showcase information through slideshows, videos, and more
Event Readiness & Team Presentation
Preparing for events and competitions goes beyond just showing up—it requires organization, consistency, and a strong team identity. By streamlining preparation processes and developing a clear brand presence, teams can operate more efficiently while making a lasting impact on their audience, both in and out of competition.
Event & Outreach Preparation
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Any team can benefit from a simple, standardized system for event preparation. Keeping essential materials organized in one place reduces stress, saves time, and ensures consistency, allowing teams to focus more on outreach and engagement.
On our team, the Necessary Event Supply Tote, better known as N.E.S.T., is an initiative adopted by our Public Relations sub-team to make event preparation more organized and efficient. In the past, our team often found itself scrambling to gather materials and keep track of everything needed for an event. To address this, we created the N.E.S.T.—an easy, organized “grab-and-go” box designed specifically for outreach events.
Inside the tote is an inventory sheet along with essential materials used at nearly every event. The inventory sheet helps the event coordinator quickly see what is included and what still needs to be added, making the packing process far more streamlined and reliable.
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A strong, consistent brand helps teams present a clear and recognizable identity to their community. By using consistent colors, logos, fonts, and messaging, teams appear more professional and make a lasting impression at events, with sponsors, and online. Establishing a branding guide ensures that all members follow the same standards, keeping outreach materials cohesive and effective.
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Team products such as stickers, pins, and team gear play an important role in outreach and team culture. These items create a sense of unity among members and leave a lasting impression on those you interact with. Whether given away at events or worn by team members, they serve as tangible representations of your team and its brand.
Creating your own team gear and outreach materials is a great way to build your brand while staying cost-effective. By using a mix of online suppliers, local stores, and in-house tools, teams can produce high-quality, customizable items that are practical for events and everyday use.
Making Gear & Materials
Team Gear & Printing Resources
These tools and suppliers make creating team apparel, print materials, and stickers easier and more cost-effective, helping teams stay organized and consistent in their outreach and branding.
Additional Sections to Explore