After a hiatus during the month of July the Hand-Eye Supply Curiosity Club is back. To kick things off with a fresh perspective, we've asked the Riverdale Highschool Robotics Team to talk about their activities in FIRST Robotics. Join us next Tuesday, August 2nd at the Hand-Eye Supply store in Portland at 6PM.
Do you have any advice to students that want to become involved in programs like FIRST robotics, or are just interested in learning about and building their own robots? If you're still in middle school or elementary school, but still want to get involved in robotics, the FIRST Lego League program is an excellent way to get involved. The competition is in many ways similar to FRC, but instead of raw materials, the robots are made of legos. Another program is the FIRST Tech challenge, which could be described as the intermediate level between FLL and FRC. Both are fun programs that can lead to FRC in high school. If your school doesn't have an FLL, FTC, or FRC team, there are club teams that may allow students in the community to join. All of these teams are more then glad to have you no matter what you like to do.
Are there any specific tools that you consistently use when building your robots? Are there any rare, unique or otherwise specialized tools that you find indispensable? Each team member probably has a tool they could not work without. Our electrician needs his multimeter, our programmers need their computers, and our fabrication team needs their drill press and welders. Perhaps the most important tools/supplies are the ones supplied by FIRST itself. Each year we get access to specialized design and programming software, as well as unique pieces of electronics. These are vital to building robots.How has being involved in FIRST augmented your high school education?
Ones of the many reasons that people enjoy FIRST is that the programs allow them to apply classroom principles that are learned in science and math to real-world problems. The coefficient of friction takes on a new dimension when it is used to tune your robot's drive system, rather than solve textbook problems. FRC also teaches valuable lessons about teamwork and project planning. The six week time limit forces people to work together effectively and efficiently. Finally, participating in the program gives us access to otherwise-expensive pieces of the technology, such as software and electronics, used by professionals across the world.
Please share with us five things you never leave home without and why.
This one your going to have to come up with. Here's mine: 1. Computer - has all of the coding projects I'm working on 2. Physics book - good to pick up some new ideas whenever there's time 3. Notebook - Whenever an idea needs to be jotted down 4. Flash Drive- Since your computer isn't the only one... 5. Calculator - Because it's easier to bring it than to cube pi in your head..
Are there any resources or links you'd like to share?
If you're interested in learning more about all of the robotics programs, here is the FIRST website - www.usfirst.org To learn more about our team (FRC) - www.riverdalerobotics.com To learn more about anything - www.en.wikipedia.org To learn how to make all most anything- http://www.instructables.com/
The Riverdale Highschool Robotics Team participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), a high school age competition. The "varsity sport for the mind," FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. FRC robots are large and complex - they are usually at least 5 feet tall and can weigh 120 pounds. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team, but all the work is carried out by the high school students. When the robots are completed, teams can attend one or more regional competitions, where 40 to 70 teams compete in the game during three days of fun-filled robotic insanity. Through competition, teams get a chance to see their creation in motion and determine the effectiveness of their design.
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