MECObits, team 58292

Why should my child join a robotics team?

Because it’s insanely cool! Watch this 3.5 minute video for a quick overview of FIRST LEGO League. Here’s just a few things your student can gain from joining an FLL Challenge team:

• They'll work together with a team of amazing students to design, build, and program a LEGO robot that can accomplish challenging missions

• They'll build friendships and learn valuable teamwork and cooperation skills

• They can help share STEM and FIRST with our community through outreaches at schools, Maker Faire, IITSEC, and other STEM events

• There are no dues required to join! We strive to make this team and program available for all students and their families, regardless of their financial situations

What is MECO?

MECO (pronounced MEE-koh) Robotics is a non-profit organization created to develop students to their highest potential with FIRST programs. We were founded by Phil Metzger, a planetary scientist with big dreams for working and traveling in space, which inspired our space theme. MECO stands for Main Engine Cut Off: the moment when a rocket has achieved the first stage of its journey and is now ready to begin its job.

Who can join?

MECObits welcomes students aged 9-13 (roughly 4th-8th grades) who are interested in learning more about robotics and the world around them.

What is the time commitment?

• Most of the year (January-July) we meet once a week. 

• During competition season (August-December) we meet 2-3 times a week.

• Besides building robots, we also do outreach to schools, professional organizations, and through community events such as Synapse, Maker Faire, SPARK STEM Fest (formerly known as Otronicon), and UCF STEM Day. 

• We also participate in Bithlo Park's summer camp and host STEMventure, a yearly community event to get kids excited about science and math.

Where do you meet?

We currently meet at Orange County Academy, located at 18409 11th Ave, Orlando, 32833 in Bithlo, Florida (just outside of Christmas).

What is the cost to join MECObits?

• There are no fees to join the team. All expenses including team t-shirt, robot supplies, and travel are covered by our fundraising efforts. 

• Students may occasionally need money for lunch or dinner at outreach events.

What should my student wear?

• Closed-toed shoes are required at every meeting.

• Student cell phones will be put away during meetings, with a few exceptions.

• All clothing should be respectful and not divisive or inappropriate.

I’m not a student… can I still get involved?

Our kids are amazing, but we would not be able to function without our dedicated and hard-working parents and mentors. Opportunities to help are endless. If you don’t see anything here that strikes your fancy, talk to Nikki or Dayana! There’s something for everyone to do and have the opportunity to help out.

• Skills (construction, engineering, electrical, inventory management, website design, public relations, grant writing, photography, videography, sponsor recognition, and more)

• Connections (mentors, potential sponsors, companies who can provide in-kind donations)

• Recruitment of team members

• Fundraising

What is FIRST?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global non-profit organization that prepares young people aged 4-18 for the future in science and technology by giving them the opportunity to participate in competitive robotics. It fosters teamwork, mentoring, gracious professionalism, and coopertition among teams. 

Gracious professionalism is the notion that fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate ideas. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. 

Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition means that we might help another team fix their robot and then compete with them in the next round. We work together in order to help each other succeed.

What is FIRST LEGO League?

Our FLL Challenges introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to upper elementary and middle school students through fun, exciting hands-on learning. In FIRST Lego League, students engage in hands-on STEM experiences, building confidence, growing their knowledge and developing habits of learning. 

Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students engage in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of Challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.

What is OCA?

Orange County Academy (OCA) is the school we are affiliated with and which provides our build space, storage, and practice area. The address is 18415 11th Ave, Orlando, 32833 in Bithlo, Florida.

Contact Us!

• Phone number: 321-252-8217

• Email: admin@mecorobotics.org

Ok, I’m ready! Where do I sign up?

Contact us via the phone number or email above and we’ll get you the information and materials you need to join. We can’t wait to have you join our crew!