2890 Training Pathways
Overview
The Hawk Collective uses a badge-based training system with three tracks. Each track has 3 levels. Completing a level earns a badge.
The Three Tracks
| Track | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Component identification | Board build + signaling | Troubleshooting |
| Mechanical | Chassis + actuators | Advanced mechanisms | — |
| Pneumatics | Component identification | System design | — |
Electrical Track
Level 1 — Electronic Technician 1
Goal: Identify components, understand wire gauge, understand circuits
What you learn:
- Names of all electrical components (Battery, PDB, Main Breaker, PCM, Radio, etc.)
- Wire gauge basics (AWG 6 = thick/power, AWG 14 = thin/control)
- Complete circuit = two wires (positive + negative)
- Motor controller types (Talon SRX, Victor SP, etc.)
Badge earned: Electronic Technician 1
What’s next: Level 2 — build a complete board, learn signaling protocols, crimping, soldering
Level 2 — Electronic Technician 2
Goal: Build boards, understand signaling, demonstrate hands-on skills
What you learn:
- Signaling protocols (CAN vs PWM)
- How to assemble a complete board including PCM
- Crimping skills
- Soldering skills
- Team-approved connector systems
Badge earned: Electronic Technician 2
Prerequisite: Level 1
Level 3 — Electrical Level 3
Goal: Troubleshooting
What you learn: Advanced electrical troubleshooting, circuit diagnosis
Badge earned: Electrical Level 3
Mechanical Track
Level 1 — Mechanical 1
Goal: Chassis and actuators, core mechanical knowledge
Badge earned: Mechanical 1
Level 2 — Mechanical 2
Goal: Advanced mechanisms
Badge earned: Mechanical 2
Prerequisite: Level 1
Level 3 — Mechanical Level 3
Goal: Advanced mechanical problem-solving
Badge earned: Mechanical Level 3
Pneumatics Track
Level 1 — Pneumatics 1
Goal: Identify pneumatic components
Badge earned: Pneumatics 1
Level 2 — Pneumatics 2
Goal: System design
Badge earned: Pneumatics 2
Prerequisite: Level 1
Cross-Track Requirements
Some achievements overlap between tracks. This is intentional — team members should understand how the subsystems connect.
How MrC Tracks Progress
I maintain a student profile for each team member. The profile tracks:
- Current level in each track
- Badges earned
- Next recommended step
- Last activity
When a student asks a question, I check their profile and route them to the appropriate level.
For Students
Ask 2890-bot: “What level am I on?” or “What should I work on next?”