Tribe Tech Robotics
Tribe Tech 4485 First Robotics Club
Tribe Tech Robotics Team 4485 began its FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology) journey during the 2012-2013 school year. The idea of starting a team was proposed by a Danville Community High School student, David Shaw. He convinced counselor, Mike Klinker to
supervise the club and bring the FIRST Robotics experience to the students of DCHS. Since its
humble beginnings working out of an old photo developing classroom with little knowledge or
experience with robotics, our program has developed drastically in many aspects. We now have 15
dedicated students and 4 adult mentors with diverse backgrounds.
A large and vital part to our successful program is the many sponsors that have supported the team
from the start. NASA was our founding sponsor and donated enough money to fund our entry fees
for our entire first season. Major companies from Indianapolis such as Allison Transmission, Rolls-
Royce, and United Technologies Company (Carrier) have also provided ongoing generous
donations that allow us to purchase the technology and supplies we need to compete each season.
The town of Danville may be one of the biggest supporters of our robotics program. Duke Energy,
Danville Optimist, Danville Rotary, Danville Education Foundation, Hendricks Regional Health, and
Waste Management, Electric Plus, and Toric Engineering are some of the many local companies
that donate to our robotics program.
Tribe Tech Robotics is involved within our community and with other FIRST teams. We have
collaborated on mechanism designs with Ben Davis High School in the past and shared parts and
supplies with Avon High School. We have robotics programs at elementary and middle schools in
our district and host a summer camp and STEM night each year.
Contact tribetech4485frcftc@gmail.com or visit www.tribetech4485.com for more information.
Mentors: Jason Wood, Jeff Gackenheimer, Jeff Merrow, and Larry Lemon
