Eagle Engineering invites you to become part of our unique experience. We are a year-round organization with two competition seasons, and while there is always something going on, we offer some schedule flexibility for students who want to participate in other programs. It is highly recommended that you attend the Eagle Engineering Intensive, which will be held September 10th – 13th. It is a fun and exciting four days created just for our new members. Plan to attend as much as possible to get to know the team, receive fast-track training, and learn about the special family spirit that Eagle Engineering is known for.
Any Chaminade 9-12 grader can join
Deadline to join is September 10, 2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: It varies throughout the year. In the fall, we meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 7:30, with occasional weekend meetings and competitions. From early January to late February, we have a more intense schedule called “build season,” in which we meet Thursday and Friday until 8:00, Saturday 10AM to 8:00PM and Sunday 1PM to 6PM. It takes a lot of hours to create an amazing robot from scratch. However, like all our meetings, students may schedule themselves off as needed whenever they need to attend to schoolwork, family and other activities. You may define your level of involvement with your scheduling. Student leaders, and those who aspire to be, are involved at the highest level and attend nearly every meeting. We also have students who attend at least 70% of meetings and earn varsity status. They are an essential part of our workforce and enjoy the full range of hands-on experience. If you attend less than 70% of available meeting times, you would be classified as junior varsity. JV members have a narrower range of opportunities, but they still learn a lot and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Q: How does the varsity/junior-varsity thing work?
A: Every meeting has a point value. When you schedule and show up, you get those points. You must earn aproximately 70% of the basic meeting points in a given period to make varsity. There are four varsity periods throughout the year, so if you don’t make varsity in the fall, you can ramp up your involvement and make it in the winter (and vice versa). In addition to regular meeting points, there are many ways to earn bonus points, so students who are great teammates, work effectively, and demonstrate a positive, outcome-oriented attitude usually make varsity. Varsity members are eligible for team travel, leadership positions, and the best opportunities. Otherwise, there is no difference between the two. It’s all one team.
Q: What about costs? Is this program expensive?
A: First, let’s just say that we never want money to be a factor in your decision. If funds are tight, let us know (tsmeltzer@chaminade.org), and we will figure out a solution that works with your budget. Here are some of the standard costs:
- Participation Fees: $350/Fall + $100 Winter – Includes team jersey and supports other team expenses that are related to team size.
- Build Season Meal: During build season, each family provides a meal for the team. Depending on the size of the meal, we may assign two or more families to share the cost. We can work with you if budget is a concern.
- Optional Team Travel: The team typically has 3-5 overnight travel events that vary in cost. Participation in travel events is not required. Amounts range from $300 for a local overnight to $2,000 or more for multi-day air travel. You will be able to decide which events to attend after cost estimates are posted, and some financial assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis.
- Required Uniform: $30-$60. Every student must purchase a pair of black tactical pants and safety glasses as part of the team uniform. Hoodies and other team spirit wear are extra and are optional.
- Optional Uniform/Merch: $20-$200. Each year, we make additional optional items available for purchase, including extra jerseys, team hoodies, sweatpants, water bottles, and spirit items.
- Miscellaneous: Little things pop up from time to time, such as donating a case of soda for homecoming, pitching in for lunch at a weekend tournament, or CAD training.
Q: Is it like Battlebots?
A: We get this a lot. The answer is, not really, but kinda. Think of it like this: if Battlebots is like UFC fighting, we are more like high school football. So, yes, the teams are very competitive, and we do have some “spirited interaction” as teams vie to score points, but they are not allowed to intentionally damage each other. That said, our ‘bots do typically come home with some battle scars.
Q: What if I don’t know the first thing about robotics? Like seriously, what if I don’t know how to even use one of those screwdriver thingys?
A: Zero experience is required. In fact, sharing our knowledge and experience is one of our favorite things to do. Some of our greatest success stories started with students who didn’t know diddly about tech of any sort. That’s what makes it so fun. You can start off knowing nothing, and by the end of your first year, you will be excited to teach the next group of rookies everything you learned.
Q: What if I am not interested in engineering and tech?
A: There’s very much a place for you on our team. We offer opportunities for all kinds of interests. In addition to engineering and coding, we need students who are interested in learning PR/Marketing, Business, Web Development, Graphic Design, Animation, Communications/Presentations, Human Relations, Project Management, and Sports Strategy.
Q: I’m not a freshman. Is it too late for me?
A: Heck no! We have great success stories from all grades, even students who joined us as seniors. All you need is curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to do the work.
Q: What if you do other activities or sports? How does that work?
A: As mentioned, we have a flexible scheduling system. The schedule is posted online, and you sign up for the meetings you can attend. Students who attend more meetings learn much faster and therefore are afforded more opportunities. It’s very much a case of “you get out what you put in.” That said, there is still plenty of fun and learning to be had for students who miss meetings.
Q: How will this help me in college and beyond?
A: Wow, what a great question. I’m so glad you asked. Eagle Engineering is ultimately about much more than building robots. It’s about building life skills. Unlike your classwork, the answers are not definitive. Our moderators and mentors have no idea how we will solve the problems presented to us, or even if they can be solved in the way we want. We give our students opportunities to fail “early and often,” as we like to say, because that is the only way you truly learn critical thinking, design thinking, and well… just thinking. The greatest thing you will take away from the Eagle Engineering experience is experience, and not just in technical stuff. Your greatest superpower will become your mastery of soft skills – the very thing that colleges and employers are seeking.
Things like:
- Leadership
- Communications
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Work Ethic
- Grace Under Pressure
- Time Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Self-Motivation
- Decisiveness
Q: So what is so special about Team 1138?
A: Ask any member this question, and most of them will say that it really is because we are family. The Eagle Engineering team culture is second to none. We build strong bonds over hard work and long hours, but also a fair share of goofing around. Our team is managed and led by an extraordinary group of students who make it a priority to see that everyone who shows up and makes an effort will find an incredible sense of belonging and connection that will last far beyond their high school years.
Not sure yet ?
Come to a meeting and check it out with no commitments. See the calendar link below for meeting times. Feel free to email our coach at tsmeltzer@chaminade.org with any questions.