Robotic Revolutions FIRST Robotics Competition: Rebound Rumble. Upcoming Events: For more information

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Contents: 2012 Competition Game 1 Knoxville Regional..2 St. Louis Regional..3 Got Robots?...4 Can-Do Robots...5 Sponsors.

House Furniture Warehouse LaGrange, KY 10:00 am - 3:00 pm For more information Visit our website at www.kyeot.com Call us at (502)-265-5827 OR email us at coach@kyeot.com Like us on Facebook at: www.

2012 FIRST Robotics Competition: Rebound Rumble On January 7, 2012, The Engineers of Tomorrow came together at the team workshop in Cherry House Furniture Galleries.

1 Contents: 2012 Competition Game 1 Knoxville Regional..2 St. Louis Regional..3 Got Robots?...4 Can-Do Robots...5 Sponsors Robotic Revolutions Volume 1 Issue 1 April 2012 a quarterly publication of the Engineers of Tomorrow The Engineers of Tomorrow Upcoming Events: April 28, 2012: Public Open House at Cherry House Furniture Warehouse LaGrange, KY 10:00 am - 3:00 pm For more information Visit our website at Call us at (502) OR us at coach@kyeot.com Like us on Facebook at: Thanks to Gini Rhodes, Kaleigh Ballinger, and Josh Degnan for contributing to the first edition of Robotic Revolutions! Photos by Marissa Williams FIRST Robotics Competition: Rebound Rumble On January 7, 2012, The Engineers of Tomorrow came together at the team workshop in Cherry House Furniture Galleries. It was the big kick-off event to learn what challenge the team would be facing during the coming six week build season. This year, the competition was called Rebound Rumble, which involved a field of eight hoops, three bridges, a large bump, and several foam basketballs. The field was divided in half, with one side for the Blue Alliance and the other side for the Red Alliance. Each Alliance was made up of three robots. Alliances competed to score goals during a 2 minute and 15 second match. Four goals on each end of the field varied in point values. The highest goal was worth the most, while the lowest goal was worth the least. During the first 15 seconds of a match, goals scored during Hybrid period (autonomous mode) counted for double points. After autonomous mode, team drivers could take control of the robots and attempt to score as many goals as possible. At the end of a match, robots hurried to balance on their Alliance bridge for bonus points. Each robot balanced on the bridge counted for 10 extra points. Or, Alliances could work together to balance on the middle Coopertition bridge to get extra ranking points! Each FIRST Robotics team had six weeks to design, build, and program their robot before they had to Bag & Tag it to be shipped to their first regional qualification site. Field layout for Rebound Rumble, courtesy of FIRST. 1

Smoky Mountain Regional Knoxville, TN Team 2783 s robot, Pascal, shoots and scores during the Smoky Mountain Regional. Each basket scored in the middle goal was worth 2 points.

Some of the jobs consisted of a program called CAD which computerized our robot design allowing us to know which parts we had to get for the robot and how to assemble the machine.

There was a drive team which drove the robot at the competitions and kept control.

2 Smoky Mountain Regional Knoxville, TN Team 2783 s robot, Pascal, shoots and scores during the Smoky Mountain Regional. Each basket scored in the middle goal was worth 2 points. As our kick off season began we were all assigned different tasks in order to create the most successful robot possible. Some of the jobs consisted of a program called CAD which computerized our robot design allowing us to know which parts we had to get for the robot and how to assemble the machine. There was a build team that was in charge of assembling the robot and did a fantastic job coming together and working like a team. There was a drive team which drove the robot at the competitions and kept control. There was a safety team that informed us how to remain safe while using the different power tools required to create the robot. With all these jobs put together, we were able to assemble a machine with an eight wheel drive train, a system to shoot the balls, and many screws and bolts. After the robot was finished, we installed and wired a camera at the front of the machine to help the drive team discover where the robot was going, and where the balls were to pick up and shoot. This helped tremendously during the game, giving us a perspective of the robot. The Drive Team prepares for a qualification match at the Smoky Mountain Regional. Team members lead a cheer at the Smoky Mountain Regional. Twenty-Seven Eighty-Three, WE ARE E -O-T! 2

St. Louis Regional St. Louis, MO After the qualifying rounds at competition, the top 8 seeded teams select 2 other teams to be a part of their Alliance.

Our team was by no means an exception to this statement. It came down to the last two teams to be picked, our team waiting in near agony, and the second seeded team called us to join their Alliance!

Not only was our team selected to be in an Alliance, ours was the only Alliance to make it to the finals without losing a single match.

3 St. Louis Regional St. Louis, MO After the qualifying rounds at competition, the top 8 seeded teams select 2 other teams to be a part of their Alliance. During this time, all other teams anxiously wait to hear their team name and number called over the microphone, in hopes of joining an Alliance. Our team was by no means an exception to this statement. It came down to the last two teams to be picked, our team waiting in near agony, and the second seeded team called us to join their Alliance! The immeasurable excitement exploded in the air around us. This was the first time our robot had ever been chosen for an Alliance! Not only was our team selected to be in an Alliance, ours was the only Alliance to make it to the finals without losing a single match. Although we did not win the regional, this is the farthest we have ever gone. We also received two trophies for making it to the finals and becoming regional finalists. At this regional, not only were we recognized for hard work and effort on the field, we were also recognized off the field for our dedication to safety. Our safety captain, Gini Rhodes, was awarded the Star of the Day award by the safety judges. This award recognizes a student s efforts to keep the team safe. Gini was awarded this title because she went above and beyond to keep our team and others safe. She passed out sheets listing 43 ways for a team to be safe, handed out mini first aid kits to all the safety captains of every team, and posted a fire and tornado escape plan in case of emergencies. Our robot, which we named Pascal, was able to do everything to achieve success at Rebound Rumble. We could pick up basketballs, shoot and score (even in autonomous mode), drive over the bump, and lower the bridges to balance on them. Many times we balanced on our Alliance bridge to gain extra points. Sometimes we planned ahead and worked with the opposing alliance during qualification matches to balance on the middle Coopertition bridge. 3

and leadership. Favorite things about being part of Team #2783: The opportunities it gives students to get active in the community and spread the STEM program.

4 Got Robots? Student: Josh Degnan Years with Team #2783: 3 years Role on the team: Student Team Lead Describe something you ve learned by being part of the team: I have learned a tremendous amount about teamwork and leadership. Favorite things about being part of Team #2783: The opportunities it gives students to get active in the community and spread the STEM program. Advice for fellow students: Be prepared for the hardest fun you will ever have! What do you want to be when you grow up? A military firefighter. Favorite part about going to competition: The excitement it generates. Favorite quote: It takes a player to shoot a shot but it takes a team to win a game. -Penny Anae Imagine building any type of robot. What would your robot be able to do? I would build an autonomous car that is functional in everyday use, not just closed circuits. Personal theme song: Hero by Skillet Mentor: Ben Williams Years with Team #2783: 3 years What do you mentor students on? Electrical/Programming Day job: I am a Process Automation and Controls Engineer at a steel mill. We take scrap steel, melt it down, and recast it into coils. I deal with electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical issues. Favorite thing about mentoring: The challenge. The students tasks are not only challenging for them, but also for me. There is always something new to learn and help them with. Advice for students: Have a good time. Build season can be stressful, but don't forget that it should also be fun. Advice for fellow mentors: The same thing I tell myself all build season This is the students robot. We are here to help students solve problems, not solve the problems for them. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to play video games as a career. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. Think about how much extra time you d have if you never had to drive anywhere. 4

Can-Do Robots Total Time Needed: 2-3 hours These friendly robots are more than just good-looking; magnets hold their features in place, making the bots the

Hot-glue gun Strong disk magnets Instructions: Open a tin can with a safety can opener so there are no sharp edges.

For facial features, arms, propulsion devices, and communication arrays, look for items around the house and at the hardware store.

5 Can-Do Robots Total Time Needed: 2-3 hours These friendly robots are more than just good-looking; magnets hold their features in place, making the bots the metallic equivalent of a Mr. Potato Head. Materials: Tin can Electrical Tape (optional) Hardware, and various recyclables such as bottle caps, keys, etc. Hot-glue gun Strong disk magnets Instructions: Open a tin can with a safety can opener so there are no sharp edges. (If you only have a regular opener, line the inside of the can s rim with electrical tape.) Empty, wash, and dry the can. For facial features, arms, propulsion devices, and communication arrays, look for items around the house and at the hardware store. We used bolts, brackets, hinges, keys, wing nuts, switches, bottle caps, washers, knobs, and more. Hot-glue the items to strong disk magnets. *This wonderful craft idea came from FamilyFun: Thank you to our sponsors: 5

The Weekly Buzz. Scouting Update. Buzz Scout Holly Beaudoin with representatives from 126 (Gael Force) and 869 (Power Cord)

The Weekly Buzz. Scouting Update. Buzz Scout Holly Beaudoin with representatives from 126 (Gael Force) and 869 (Power Cord) B u z z R o b o t i c s : F I R S T T e a m 1 7 5 Issue 9: Monday, April 9th, 2012 Weekly Team Update: Week 12 Inside this issue: Team Update 1 Scouting Update 1 Countdowns 1 VIP Section 2 -Jim Patrick