Bonners Ferry Robotics team does exceptional job

Did you know Bonners Ferry High School sent a team to the Pacific Northwest Regional Robotics Competition?

If not, let me enlighten you on their astounding feat, if so, please indulge me while I rave.

In January the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science an Technology Robotics Competition had its kickoff. The 2008 game was unveiled, and teams were sent home to their respective drawing boards to design, build and fund a working robot, and oh yeah - they were to do it in six weeks.

A robotics team is made up of volunteer students and their adult mentors who dedicate their lives - literally and figuratively to the project. These kids and their mentors take on a Goliath like challenge when they set out on this journey.

The business team starts marketing, funding and planning; engineers start brainstorming and designing; mechanics and motor heads get to work on a chassis; electricians start wiring; and drivers and programmers work on writing code so their robot will do what they tell it - all in six weeks.

I happen to be the mom of one of these kids, and I have to admit my skepticism; could that kid of mine who forgets where he left his baseball mitt possibly build a working robot? Wow - they can and they did

They came together as a team and did what honestly seemed impossible just six weeks ago and not only was the Alpha + team from Bonners Ferry High School successful in building a working robot, they proved to be one of the best teams at the competition.

The whole idea behind F.I.R.S.T. is to demand a finished working product, with little time in which to do so and on a tight budget to boot, and also “to learn from those willing to teach and to lead so that others may follow” - my favorite part.

But all these things matter not if you aren't a team player - you see, to compete they must team up with two other teams (chosen randomly) and work together to be stronger, better and faster than the three teams they oppose each time they enter the arena.

After the preliminary random match-ups were finished, not only did one but two top ranked Robotics powerhouses, (some teams have been participating in FIRST since 1989), chose our Bonners Ferry team for their alliance in the finals.

Our little team was in the top 12 of 57 teams, this sophomore team did not know the meaning of slump. As a freshmen team in 2007, Bonners Ferry brought home the coveted Rookie Inspirational Award. And as a second-year team, we proved not only to the 4,000 fans, and the 56 other teams, but also more importantly to ourselves that we belonged there.

The master of ceremonies gave the kids three tasks: Build the robot. Do the math. Save the planet. Just so you know, I think they will.

Shaun Watt

Bonners Ferry