Alpha+ Robotics has strong competition at Idaho Regionals
The Bonners Ferry Alpha+ Robotics team recently competed at the Idaho Regionals competition.
Courtesy photo
The Bonners Ferry Alpha+ Robotics team recently competed at the Idaho Regionals competition.
The Bonners Ferry Alpha+ Robotics team recently competed at the Idaho Regionals competition.
2130 Alpha+ Robotics competed in the Idaho Regionals, in Nampa, from March 27-29, facing off against 51 other teams from California, Hawaii, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, British Columbia, Montana, Alberta, and Shanghai, China. The team finished 18th out of 52 teams.
2130 Alpha + robotics is part of a worldwide organization called FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The organization is a worldwide robotics competition that brings high school level teams together to compete in a different competition every year.
This year's game was called Reefscape and is presented by HAAS. This game uses engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean's most diverse habitats. Each team starts with a kit of parts and then brainstorms to design, build, program and do all electrical work of an industrial sized robot to play in an action-packed game. They compete on a field with six robots total in a three-team alliance in the spirit of “coopertition” — the concept by FIRST to encourage teams to cooperate to work together while also being in a competition.
Robots must be built in order to accomplish the tasks of the game which in this game consists of placing two different game pieces, PVC pipe known as the “coral” and large rubber balls known as “algae” in various places on the playing field. The robot is all done by the students with adult mentor support and guidance. The robot must follow certain guidelines when it comes to perimeter, maximum height at start, weight and must also follow other safely guidelines.
Thursday, March 27, consisted of the team getting their robot to pass inspection, and practice time on the field. Competing with other teams began Friday and continued to Saturday.
2130 Alpha+ members said they appreciate the support of the community, school district, teachers, mentors, parents and sponsors.
“We would not be able to do this without the support of so many people,” Alpha+ officials said.
The Bonners Ferry Alpha+ Robotics team recently competed at the Idaho Regionals competition.
The Bonners Ferry Alpha+ Robotics team recently competed at the Idaho Regionals competition.