BFHS FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ in 13th season

BFHS FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ began its 13th 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. For more information about FIRST Robotics, go to http://www.firstinspires.org.

On Saturday, January 5, students, mentors, parents, teachers, alumni, and guests gathered for the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff and the much anticipated animation video for this year’s game, Destination: Deep Space. Two competing alliances of three teams each will combat varying terrain and weather patterns on Planet Primus. With only two minutes and thirty seconds until liftoff, the alliances must gather as many cargo pods as possible and prepare their spaceships for departure before the next sandstorm arrives. To view the game animation, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mew6G_og-PI&t=1s.

After the game was revealed, 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. We now have a strict six-week timeline and on Tuesday, February 19, our robot must be “bagged and tagged” until we arrive at the competition.

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 season, we will be attending the Idaho Regional in Nampa, Idaho, from March 27 through March 30. We will be competing with teams from California, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Mexico.

We are immensely grateful for the support and enthusiasm our local community has shown toward our team. FIRST 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.

If you are interested in joining our team as a student member or mentor, please contact our Lead Mentor, Ed Katz (edward.katz@mail.bcsd101.com), for further information. We thank you for supporting our efforts to provide students with broader opportunities and brighter futures.