Join The Team

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international organization focused on inspiring students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Teams attend competitions where alliances of robots compete against one another in an exciting, sports-like atmosphere. Blue Cheese actively promotes the goals of FIRST by inspiring students to pursue careers in science and technology.

The name “Blue Cheese” comes from our method of removing weight from our robots: drilling round holes into the aluminum frame called “cheesing the robot” due to their similarity to Swiss cheese and blue is one of Deep Run High School’s colors.

Beginning in early January each year, we receive a new game challenge & design & build a new robot.

We attend competitions where we drive, repair, troubleshoot, scout, cheer, help other teams, etc.

We wear uniforms & spirit wear to show that we are part of the team & build our brand.

We run demos, teach classes, mentor other teams, volunteer in the community to inspire STEM learning and advocate for STEM on the local, state, and federal levels.

We teach & learn from each other, always seeking to improve our own skills & further team goals.

We share food & carpools & other resources during build season to make the load lighter.

We enjoy each other’s company, laugh & learn from our own mistakes & treat each other respectfully.

Although we are part of Deep Run High School, our build site is at Powertrain Control Solutions (PCS) a 30-minute drive to Ashland, VA.

Powertrain Control Solutions

10511 Old Ridge Rd, Ashland, VA 23005

Our meetings are currently Tuesdays and Thursdays:

4:00 pm to 5:30 at DRHS H-Hall for CAD, Media, Outreach, and Programming Teams.

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at PCS for the Build Team (We drive up from School at 5:30 pm and back to Twin Hickory Library at 8:30 pm)

During Build Season (January thru March) we add Fridays and Saturdays. Parents help feed the kids dinner on Fridays and lunch on Saturdays.

Team members do not have to attend all the meetings. However, when space is limited for travel, preference goes to those whose parents drive and those who attend more often.

Competition Polo Shirt

Khaki Pants

Brown Belt

Closed-toed Shoes

Safety Glasses

Cheesehead

Each participating student’s family is expected to donate $150 or more to our booster club.

Need-based subsidies are available on a case-by-case basis.

We ask that all parents apply for any matching gift or Dollars for Doers programs that they may be eligible for through their employers.

Please pass along sponsorship leads. Donations of $100 or more have benefits!

Our budget is roughly $50,000 per year and NONE of that money comes from the school. We are always in need of help to keep the program running and financially accessible to all.

Fundraising with Cabot Cheese, Pearl Valley Cheese, and Midas of Richmond.

Primarily time: Students get out of it, what they put in.

Travel Costs: We strive to keep travel prices low.

Our goal is to make participation affordable for all.

Parents are expected to assist with carpooling when they can. This includes in-state travel to competitions.

Many of our students participate in team activities year-round and eat, sleep and breathe robotics during the winter build and spring competition seasons: They just can’t get enough of it. Others come and go seasonally - depending on their participation in other activities, like marching band or a school play. That’s fine too. The students who work the hardest get the most out of it: friends, skills, professional certifications, leadership experience, and scholarships. The others have a great time too and love the experiences and opportunities offered by our extensive program. Our team is made up of a diverse group of dedicated, hard-working kids and mentors who help them grow and learn through lots of hands-on activities and high-level “coopertition.” FIRST extols the value of “gracious professionalism” and Blue Cheese is dedicated to that concept as well.

Whether your student is interested in designing, fabricating, building, coding, art, photography, marketing, writing, video production, public speaking, education, community outreach, or almost anything else, there is a place for them on our team and we look forward to getting to know them and helping them become part of our “culture.”

Our crowning “acheesement” to date was winning the 2016 World Championships. We work hard year-round to learn and practice a full range of skills and to instruct and inspire younger students to study and enjoy STEM. We hope that you can assist us in pursuing these goals through student membership, financial sponsorship, in-kind donation, or volunteer mentorship.

Attend the Mandatory Parents Meeting on Sept. 20th at 6:30 pm at Deep Run High School.

Join us as a mentor!

Volunteer to carpool from DRHS to our build site and back to Twin Hickory Library.

Volunteer to carpool to events.

Help out at our build site, by sharing knowledge, or just watching the students.

Prepare a meal during build season.

Volunteer at one of the many competitions we host: CHSy Champs, FLL, FTC, and FRC tournaments.

Ask: Do you know anyone interested in Sponsoring us, maybe even your employer? Robotics is Expensive! (Sponsorship Packets Available)

Ask: Does your employer have a volunteer matching donation policy or a “dollars for doers” program?

Fundraise: Help your student sell cheese during our Cabot and Pearl Valley Cheese Fundraiser in the Fall.