Embedded Files
What is GEAR Up?
What is GEAR Up?
GEAR Up is an initiative within FRC Team 2181 GEARS to onboard new students, pass down knowledge from experienced team members to new members, and provide experienced members a pathway to true expertise in specific FIRST Robotics related domains.
Link to Google Drive Folder for team members.
Non-team members can reach out to Coach Jeremy (jeremy@frcteam2181.com) if you'd like to see an example.
How it Works
How it Works
Team members are expected to complete all tasks on the "Intro Level 1" badge requirement list. They complete the tasks while being coached by experience team members. Periodically, they check in with a mentor to get the tasks "checked off". Once they have completed all Intro Level 1 tasks, they receive a badge holder.
Team members complete 3 other Level 1 badges. (1) level 1 in a non-robot domain, (1) Level 1 in a robot domain, and (1) Level 1 in a domain of their choosing.
Then team members complete the "Intro Level 2" Badge along with (1) non-robot Level 2 and (1) robot Level 2.
Once those are completed, team members work on completing Level 3 and 4 badges as they like.
As team members complete badges, they receive 3D printed badges they can insert into their badge holder. The badges get progressively more intricate as you "GEAR Up".
GEAR Up Domains (as of Sept 2026)
GEAR Up Domains (as of Sept 2026)
Below are the Domains or Badges or Cogs or whatever we end up calling them haha. These are the categories we're starting with since they correspond directly with our SubTeam structure.
Level 1 is intended to be finished in 2-4 hours of direct work time and mentorship from experienced students. We hope to have new team members complete around 4 badges in the Sept - Dec time frame so they're ready for Build Season to work on Level 2 tasks.
Level 2 is intended to be finished within 1 school year (or more depending on level of commitment).
Level 3 is intended to be finished in 2-3 years.
Level 4 is intended to be a "Capstone" achievement that only a few, truly outstanding students are able to complete.
Intro
Level 1, 2
Leadership
Level 1, 2
Spirit?
Level 1, 2
Scouting/Strategy
Level 1-4
Business
Level 1-4
Media
Level 1-4
Safety/FMEA
Level 1-4
CAD
Level 1-4
Programming
Level 1-4
Electrical
Level 1-4
Build
Level 1-4
Why GEAR Up?
Why GEAR Up?
Our team has explored a variety of early season training methods since 2022. We've tried slideshow teaching, making "random" projects, and just throwing people into the deep end (among others). All of these methods have merit but given the new student growth our team has had in recent years, they just were not cutting it based on team member feedback.
Our team also wants to provide a structured way (but not too structured!) for experienced team members to gain expertise in a variety of specialties.
We feel that the structure provided by the pathways, the active learning involved with the tasks, and the "game-ified" push of leveling up will provide a more dynamic, teaching-centered culture for our team. We'll update as we learn more and refine the process.
Resources
Resources
Acknowledgement: This idea is borrowed from Howdy Bots and FIRST Badges. We lean heavily on the work they've shared.
Full disclosure: This is a work in progress and our team will continue to modify and adjust as we test and learn more.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse