BFHS Robotics in its 11th year
BFHS FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ began its eleventh season at the start of the school year. FIRST Robotics enables students to access cutting edge technology, use sophisticated hardware, and develop strong teamwork skills, while working with a group of skilled mentors.
On Jan. 7, students, mentors, parents, teachers, alumni and guests gathered for the 2017 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff and the much anticipated animation video for this year’s game, ?FIRST Steamworks. T?he game highlights an era in which technology relied on steam power to fly its airships. Each three-team alliance scores points by collecting fuel (whiffle balls) to build steam pressure, installing gears to engage motors and boarding robots onto their airships. At the end of each match, the alliance with the highest score earns the win. ?The ?FIRST Steamworks game animation may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMiNmJW7enI&t=53s?.
After the broadcast, participants formed small groups to brainstorm game strategies, and later came together to make presentations. Everyone left the Kickoff enthusiastic about our new challenge. We are only provided with a very basic Kit of Parts, leaving room for our team to strategize, design, prototype, build and program our own unique robot.
Our team now has a strict six-week timeline and on Feb. 21, our robot must be “bagged and tagged” until we arrive at the competition.
We are currently in the design and prototyping phase of the six-week build season. Student team members are working side-by-side with our talented and dedicated mentors as we create this year’s robot. Our business team continues to write sponsor letters, complete grant proposals, write award essays and update our social media sites. For more information on our team’s progress, please visit our Facebook page, “FIRST Team 2130” and our website, www.bfhsrobotics.com?.
This year, we will be returning to the Western Canada Regional in Calgary, Alberta, from April 5-8, where we will be competing against teams from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, China, Turkey, and Poland! The event will be held in the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary. It should be noted that this is not ?just a? robot driving competition! At past events, Alpha+ has earned awards for inspired engineering designs, innovation, and business planning.
We have also received both mentor and student recognition for outstanding individual work in the program. Alpha+ has advanced from regional competitions to the World Championship four times thus far. Given our resource constraints and remote geographic location, we are especially proud of our accomplishments. Our team looks forward to all that is in store for this season, and we have our highest hopes set on success.
We are immensely grateful for the support and enthusiasm our local community has shown toward our team. Team 2130 Alpha+ runs primarily on donations from generous businesses, organizations and community members. We would greatly appreciate any potential support or sponsorship.
Checks may be made payable to Bonners Ferry High School Robotics and mailed to Bonners Ferry High School, 6485 Tamarack Lane, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. We thank you for supporting our efforts to provide students with broader opportunities and brighter futures.
If you are interested in joining our team as a student member or mentor, please contact our Lead Mentor, David Nix (david?.nix@mail.bcsd101.co?m), for further information about FIRST Robotics, go to http://www.firstinspires.org.