FIRST Team 271 Mechanical Marauders is an FRC team composed of 7th–12th graders from the Bay Shore School District. Our program is centered around three tenets: a hands-on, project-based learning environment; a thriving presence in the competitive scene; and a focus on reaching out and expanding the influence and impact of STEAM in our community. These ideas—education, empowerment, and excellence—form the three pillars of our program and serve as the basis for our mission and vision statements.
Vision
Our vision is to transform our communities through education, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in outreach, and inspiring others with our commitment to excellence. We strive to Educate, Empower, and Excel.
Mission
Team 271’s mission is to build a student-led, mentor-driven environment that fosters innovation and teaches both interpersonal and technical skills. We aim to develop local partnerships and community outreach while striving to compete at the highest level possible. Our mission is to inspire students to pursue STEM careers and become leaders in their communities.
Motto
“Educate. Empower. Excel.” These three words encapsulate the impact we aim to have on our team members and our community. By educating our students and community, empowering them with the skills and confidence to succeed, and striving for excellence in everything we do, we create a positive and lasting legacy.
Team History
Team 271, the Mechanical Marauders, was founded in 1998 as the “Bell Atlantic Robotics Team.” In 2000, we became known as the Mechanical Marauders. Since our inception, we have grown from a small group of 15 students to a thriving team of nearly 70 members from Bay Shore Senior High School and Bay Shore Middle School. Over the years, we have achieved numerous milestones and have been recognized for our excellence in various aspects of robotics and community engagement.
The team won its first competition in 2006 at the SBPLI Long Island Regional, which qualified Team 271 for the World Championship for the third time, where we advanced to the Semifinals of the Archimedes Division. Our team has made it to the World Championship 13 times and has made a total of 5 appearances in the World Championship playoffs, with 1 finalist, 2 semi-finalist, and 2 quarter-finalist finishes.
In addition to three regional competition wins and numerous technical and cultural awards at regional competitions, in 2014, the Mechanical Marauders became the 34th team in the world to win at least one of all five technical awards, inducting us into the prestigious Quinfecta Club. More information about awards in FRC can be found at https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/awards.
Educate
We provide a strong educational platform where students gain industry-standard skills in both technical and non-technical fields. Our team members learn:
- Engineering and Design: Using CAD software to design robot parts, understanding the principles of mechanical and electrical engineering.
- Programming: Writing code to control robots, learning programming languages such as Java and Python.
- Project Management: Managing projects, setting timelines, and meeting deadlines.
- Business and Marketing: Developing business plans, managing budgets, and creating marketing strategies.
Through workshops, hands-on projects, and mentorship, we prepare our students for future careers in STEM.
Empower
Our outreach programs empower communities by creating educational opportunities and spreading excitement for STEM. We engage in activities such as:
- Robotics Workshops: Hosting workshops for middle school students to introduce them to robotics and engineering.
- Community Demonstrations: Participating in local events to showcase our robots and inspire younger students.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses and organizations to support STEM education.
- Alumni Engagement: Involving former team members to mentor current students and share their experiences.
By empowering individuals with knowledge and resources, we aim to create a positive and lasting impact.
Excel
We strive for excellence in all aspects of our program, from competitive success to community presence. Our goals include:
- Competitive Success: Building the most competitive robot possible, aiming to qualify for and excel at the FIRST Championship.
- Award Recognition: Striving to win various awards that recognize our team’s efforts in engineering, outreach, and team spirit.
- Continuous Improvement: Always seeking ways to improve our processes, designs, and strategies.
- Leadership Development: Developing strong leaders who can guide the team to success and inspire others.
Our commitment to excellence drives us to perform at our best and set high standards for ourselves and our community.