Robotics team plans open house as regional contest approaches

Bonners Ferry High School FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ invites our wonderful community to attend our annual open house from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. We will be showcasing our 13th season robot, built in just six weeks! Our workshop is located on the east side of Boundary County Middle School. Please follow signs at the front of the school.

This year, we will attend the Idaho Regional at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, from March 27-31. We will be competing with 26 teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Washington, and Mexico. You can follow our team’s progress on www.thebluealliance.com, starting on Friday, March 29.

This year’s game, “Destination: Deep Space,” involves two competing alliances of three teams each. The alliances will combat varying terrain and weather patterns on Planet Primus. With only two minutes and 30 seconds until liftoff, the alliances must gather as many cargo pods and hatch panels as possible and prepare their spaceships for departure. Before the end of the game, robots climb to their HAB module, giving them additional points for the level climbed. To view the game animation, go to https://bit.ly/2F9Bk2w.

It should be noted that these events are more than robot driving competitions! At past events, Alpha+ has earned awards for engineering designs, innovation, inspired community outreach, 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 five times. Given our resource constraints and remote geographic location, we are especially proud of our accomplishments.

For more information on our team, please visit our Facebook page, “FIRST Team 2130” and our website, www.bfhsrobotics.com. If you are interested in joining our team as a student member or mentor, please contact our Lead Mentor, Edward Katz (edward.katz@mail.bcsd101.com), for further information.

We are immensely grateful for the support and enthusiasm our community has shown toward our team. Team 2130 Alpha+ runs primarily on donations from generous businesses, organizations and community members. If you are interested in making a donation, 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 hope to see you at our open house!