Join a team of high school students dedicated to furthering their STEM skills in the First Robotics Competition. With the 2022 season in full swing, we are looking for people with a passion for engineering, whether mechanical, electronic or software to join us for the 2023 season starting in September this year.

If you have any questions regarding the program or the team contact us on enquiries@thedropbears.org.au 

 

2023 Season

Join the team

Recruitment is still open for the 2023 Season.

The team had an information session on Saturday 8 October 2022 at The University of Sydney.

This session provided prospective members and their parents an overview of the team and the activities for the rest of 2022 as well as build season and competition in 2023.

You can still join the team. Send us and email to enquiries@thedropbears.org.au and we will provide you with additional information.

What’s going to happen for the rest of 2022

Training for the build season

  • 6 November – Day 1 – Introduction to the team, processes and accounts set up and test
  • 13 November – Day 2 – Assemble a standard drive base, deploy code and drive around.
  • 20 November – Day 3 – Onshape CAD training
  • 27 November – Day 4 – Machining and code writing
  • 5 December – Day 5 – Testing and driver training
You can find the full list of activities for 2023 in the team calendar. The team meeting dates are based on a standard build season and may be subject to team changes.

What’s going to happen next year 2023

  • Build Season starts on 8 January 2023 with the kick of meeting when the team will review the new FIRST FRC game.
  • 8 weeks of intensive planning, design, prototyping, building and programming will follow
  • Australian Regional competition will be in Wollongong at the WIN Entertainment centre and we will be staying in Wollongong, location TBC
    • Friday March 10: Practice day
    • Saturday March 11: Opening, Quals
    • Sunday March 12: Quals, Playoffs, Closing and Awards
  • We are also looking at the international events in that will work with our schedule

2022 Season Finished

The 2022 season for the FIRST FRC competition is now completed

You can find out more about the season on our 2022 Rapid React page.

What We Do

Design

Design a robot and all included modules using online parametric 3D modelling platform Onshape

Program

Write code in Python allow the robot to complete all necessary tasks.

Build

Use engineering skills to construct and fabricate a robot that meets functional requirements.

Schedule

Design and manufacture a robot within a 6 to 8 weeks time frame.

Competition

Compete against up to 60 other teams, in both domestic and international competitions.

Outreach

Engage and recruit high school students from across the Sydney region.

“We’d love for you to join us on this journey.”

“A founding member of the team Ian has been an enthusiastic Drop Bears for almost a decade. Now a professional working in robotics he is excited to give back as a mentor to the next generation of students.”
ian thomas

Head Mentor, 2022 – present
“After 6 years of committed, passionate and successful leadership James has handed the role of head mentor over. I am proud to have been with the team for the last 7 years and look forward to guide and mentor the team into the future at The University of Sydney.”
ANDREAS HEINTZE

Head Mentor, 2019 – 2022
“The University of Sydney and The Australian Centre for Field Robotics is proud to have hosted The Drop Bears for the last 7 years. It's also personally gratifying to help students discover their passion for STEM subjects, and apply their passion in a way that goes beyond what they could do at school.”
Dr James Ward
Australian Centre for Field Robotics at The University of Sydney
Head Mentor, 2013 – 2019