Technical bootcamp · Robotics
FGC & REV Robotics Bootcamp: become a technical mentor
A bespoke programme of excellence designed by Sahaza Marline R., founder of the NGO STEM For Good and mentor of Team Madagascar for 10 years. It is built on REV Robotics hardware and focused on the international FIRST Global Challenge (FGC).
- Trainer
- Sahaza Marline R. — founder of STEM For Good, mentor of Team Madagascar
- Hardware
- REV Robotics: Control Hub, Expansion Hub, Core Hex / Gobilda / REV motors, sensors, servos
- Framework
- FIRST Global Challenge (FGC)
- Format
- 5 two-hour sessions, Tuesday to Saturday afternoons, within 8 weeks
- Fee
- 210,000 Ar per session
- Certification
- Official certificate of competence in technical robotics mentoring
Objective
After the 5 sessions, each participant has the practical and teaching skills to design, program and drive a REV Robotics competition robot — and to act as a certified technical mentor for a youth team in competition.
The 5-session programme
- 01
REV Robotics system architecture & FGC electronics
- Hardware introduction: Control Hub, Expansion Hub, power switches, XT30 connectors and battery management.
- Wiring and safety: best practices, voltage management, securing ports and preventing short circuits in competition.
- Hardware configuration: Driver Station, configuring motors, servos and IMU sensors through configuration files.
- First steps with OnBotJava: the Control Hub's embedded IDE and a first test program (OpMode).
- 02
Motors, kinematics and driving (TeleOp)
- REV motors (Core Hex, HD Hex): power, direction, BRAKE vs FLOAT stop behaviours.
- Driving algorithms: Arcade Drive and Tank Drive from gamepad joysticks.
- Input handling: triggers, toggles and deadzones for smooth control.
- Practice: a complete TeleOp program combining the drivetrain and extra mechanisms (arm, intake).
- 03
Sensors and precise autonomous navigation
- Multi-sensor integration: distance, colour and IMU for spatial orientation.
- Threshold logic and safety: emergency stop, object detection, autonomous positioning.
- LinearOpModes: structuring a sequential autonomous phase with opModeIsActive() and sleep().
- Feedback loops: motor encoders to travel exact distances.
- 04
Advanced actuators, mechanisms and FGC strategy
- Standard and continuous-rotation servos (CRServo) for grippers, release and scoring mechanisms.
- Modular software architecture for fast debugging under international competition pressure.
- FGC match strategy: alliances, cooperative and competitive tasks, optimised scoring.
- Troubleshooting workshop: diagnosing and fixing common failures in the pit, in real time.
- 05
Technical mentoring pedagogy & integrated project
- The FGC mentor's stance: guiding without doing the work, inductive method, managing tournament pressure.
- Match simulation and collective code review: autonomous and TeleOp, performance optimisation.
- Final assessment: validating skills by bringing up a robot.
- Closing and award of the FGC Robotics Technical Mentor Certificate.
Competitions you'll be ready for
As a certified technical mentor, you'll be qualified to prepare and coach teams for major competitions:
FIRST Global Challenge (FGC)
The largest international robotics competition, Olympics-style, bringing together youth from over 180 countries each year.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
The benchmark for high-school students: advanced engineering, Java programming and Gracious Professionalism.
Robotex International, Africa & Madagascar
Educational robotics and themed challenges: folkrace, labyrinth, line follower, firefighting.
AI Olympiads (IOAI & AOAI)
Applied AI, computer vision and complex problem solving for young talent.
Registration
Fill in your details, then build your own schedule: one date per session, based on your availability.