Join Our Team
Chop Shop 166, located in Merrimack, NH, is a team built on trust, respect, and friendship. For 30 years and through hundreds of members, our team has spread an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) throughout our community and beyond. We are committed to inspiring youth to discover science and technology and to become leaders and innovators. As a student-led team, we cultivate a fun, inclusive environment that leaves a lasting impact. By immersing ourselves in the community and educating youth, we make a difference and encourage the next generation to continue what we have started.
Scroll down learn more about our subteams and complete our sign-up form.
Come to our Open House on Nov. 14th at 6 PM in Room 124 (around the back of the school, only door with a window).
About Our Business Subteams
About Our Technical Subteams
Marketing
The marketing sub team is one of two business sub teams. On Marketing, you will learn Google Sites to work on updates for our website. You will also learn Canva and Adobe illustrator to make graphics, T-shirts and social media posts for our Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We will also use CapCut and Adobe Premiere for vlogs and videos for our social medias. When we travel to an event, Marketing is responsible for taking pictures and videos to create an archive of our team's history.
mechanical
The mechanical sub team is responsible for the manufacturing and assembly of the robot based on the design we receive from the CAD sub team. The manufacturing of the robot includes operating the many machines we have in the shop like the lathe and CNC router. To assemble the robot, we use the design of the robot from the CAD sub team and the parts we machine. We then assemble the parts by using the hardware and tools we have in the shop. The mechanical sub team learns a lot including how to use different hand tools and hardware and how to operate the machinery found in the shop. Mechanical needs to make accurate cuts and measurements in order for the robot to be built properly.
outreach
The Outreach subteam handles Chop Shop’s business endeavors. They obtain sponsorships, donations, and grants for the team, as they perform Sponsor Walks and call business to garner support. Outreach also runs all of Chop Shop’s educational events, from the early stages of planning to executing that plan. Additionally, the subteam produced all written award submissions, including the Impact Award and Woodie Flowers Award.
SOFTWARE
The software sub team is one of the three technical sub teams. On software you start by learning the basics of the Java coding language. Once we learn the basics, we move on to learn to write code for the robot. There are many different tasks that the robot must perform in a match, one being the autonomous period. In autonomous the robots must perform tasks on their own using pre-prepared code. To help write our autonomous code we use a program called Path Planner where we input what we want the robot to do, and it writes the autonomous code for us.
Computer aided design (CAD)
The CAD subteam is the design focused technical subteam. On CAD you learn the ins and outs of the design principles and the CAD software Onshape. You also learn how to make part drawings and how to prepare designs of parts for machining. We work closely with the mechanical subteam in order to design and build the robot for competition.
