Three steps:
No previous experience necessary!
Any major, undergrad or grad, is welcome.
- 1. Join the Discord and TerpLink.
Stay updated on meetings and get verified as a member. - 2. Attend orientation.
Required for permission to work in the Idea Factory; reserving a spot is done through our Discord. - 3. Attend your first meeting!
A team member will be able to help you get started and answer any questions you have.
Follow us!
Meeting locations:
Meeting times change, please check Discord.
- IDEA Factory (RAL).
Room 3119, 4462 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742. - Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility (NBRF).
General Meeting Room, 4436 Technology Drive, College Park, MD 20742. - Brendan Iribe Center.
8125 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742.
FAQ.
How much previous experience do I need to join?
Nothing at all! We will help you and can refer you to educative resources specific for whatever subteam of the club you may choose. Feel free to get out of your comfort zone, because that's what robotics is all about!
Nothing at all! We will help you and can refer you to educative resources specific for whatever subteam of the club you may choose. Feel free to get out of your comfort zone, because that's what robotics is all about!
I don't know which team to join!
Feel free to try all of them out and see which one you like best! You can always switch teams or even be a part of multiple. In many cases, prospective members are quite specialized (or very interested) in a certain area, and a specific team might benefit significantly from their knowledge. Consult with any member of leadership and we will be happy to help you find the best fit.
Feel free to try all of them out and see which one you like best! You can always switch teams or even be a part of multiple. In many cases, prospective members are quite specialized (or very interested) in a certain area, and a specific team might benefit significantly from their knowledge. Consult with any member of leadership and we will be happy to help you find the best fit.
How much time do I need to commit?
The minimum commitment is to attend one meeting per month. To get the most out of the club, we recommend attending as many meetings as you can. We have a lot of resources and opportunities to learn and grow, so we encourage you to take advantage of them. We understand that college can be busy though, and we will never force you to attend.
The minimum commitment is to attend one meeting per month. To get the most out of the club, we recommend attending as many meetings as you can. We have a lot of resources and opportunities to learn and grow, so we encourage you to take advantage of them. We understand that college can be busy though, and we will never force you to attend.
Where is RAL?
It is in the IDEA Factory on the third floor. From the balcony entrance / IDEA Cafe, walk up the flight of stairs on the right of the tables, and RAL will be directly on your right - the room with all the windows (and robots).
It is in the IDEA Factory on the third floor. From the balcony entrance / IDEA Cafe, walk up the flight of stairs on the right of the tables, and RAL will be directly on your right - the room with all the windows (and robots).
How do I get oriented into RAL?
Anyone who wants to work at RAL must be oriented, for safety and organizational purposes, as required by the lab's manager. This is mandatory. The lab manager holds these orientations regularly (most are normally on Friday afternoons). Make sure you are on our Discord, as we regularly post the dates and times of these orientations.
Anyone who wants to work at RAL must be oriented, for safety and organizational purposes, as required by the lab's manager. This is mandatory. The lab manager holds these orientations regularly (most are normally on Friday afternoons). Make sure you are on our Discord, as we regularly post the dates and times of these orientations.
Where is NBRF?
Google Maps is accurate. Inside it is like a warehouse / garage, but from the outside it looks like a normal brick building. Note that you must be buzzed in to enter, so please let our team members know you are coming.
Google Maps is accurate. Inside it is like a warehouse / garage, but from the outside it looks like a normal brick building. Note that you must be buzzed in to enter, so please let our team members know you are coming.
What is the leadership structure here?
Leadership is elected by the members of the club. The club is run by the Executive team (President, Vice President, and Treasurer), which also includes the business and website subteams. Each project has a Project Manager, the general project lead, who oversees the Mechanical, Electrical, and Software officers handling each of the subteams. Within each subteam are smaller subprojects, led by the respective Lead of that subproject. Each project also has a Business Associate whose primary responsibility is communication between the project and the rest of the club.
Leadership is elected by the members of the club. The club is run by the Executive team (President, Vice President, and Treasurer), which also includes the business and website subteams. Each project has a Project Manager, the general project lead, who oversees the Mechanical, Electrical, and Software officers handling each of the subteams. Within each subteam are smaller subprojects, led by the respective Lead of that subproject. Each project also has a Business Associate whose primary responsibility is communication between the project and the rest of the club.
Who do I contact for more information?
You can ask anyone in the club, and they would be happy to help out! We suggest contacting the lowest level of leadership of the project / team / subproject you are interested in.
You can ask anyone in the club, and they would be happy to help out! We suggest contacting the lowest level of leadership of the project / team / subproject you are interested in.