Monday, March 9, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
To me, this kid best sums up what FIRST is all about. He exemplifies gracious professionalism, especially in defeat. His team had an amazing robot, and their team performed well throughout the competition. Even though they came up short in the final match, it was evident that they excelled at every level this year.
FIRST doesn't just tell kids, "You can do anything when you grow up." FIRST actually helps these kids prove it to themselves. They get hands-on experience tackling a complicated challenge, learning through trial and error, and gaining skills needed in the workplace and in life.
FIRST is the only high school competition where everyone who participates can actually go pro...whether in engineering, mathematics, programming, marketing, psychology, or even as professional mascots (I'm talking to you Mr. Viking).
Most importantly, FIRST gives them confidence, and that is something that can only be achieved by learning from experience, "Hey, I really can do anything when I grow up."
FIRST doesn't just tell kids, "You can do anything when you grow up." FIRST actually helps these kids prove it to themselves. They get hands-on experience tackling a complicated challenge, learning through trial and error, and gaining skills needed in the workplace and in life.
FIRST is the only high school competition where everyone who participates can actually go pro...whether in engineering, mathematics, programming, marketing, psychology, or even as professional mascots (I'm talking to you Mr. Viking).
Most importantly, FIRST gives them confidence, and that is something that can only be achieved by learning from experience, "Hey, I really can do anything when I grow up."
Rhode Warriors
Just a tad enthusiastic about their 2nd straight victory in the BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. I'd say anyone looking for an alliance team member in Atlanta should consider this team.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
FIRST Kickoff video
This video is out of sequence with the rest of the blog, but to spice things up a bit, take a look at the FIRST Kickoff video. In case you missed it, here's the video courtesy of BAE Systems Communications Services team...
Dean Kamen, a spray bottle, and innovation on the fly
Unfortunately, a few of the teams competing this year had to deal with some unforeseen frustrations on the playing field. After a full day of robots blazing across the specially designed floor, a bit of static electricity seems to have built up on and around the field. In this clip, Dean Kamen, FIRST Guru and Innovation Poobah, explains why it's always handy to have a spray bottle around --and it's not just for threatening your Chief of Staff!
More matches on the way to the finals
If you check out the opening seconds, you'll notice this machine is meant to excell(erate) with a turbo fan. Perfect for a demolition derby. Nice!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
And the winners are...
EXCITEMENT, CHEERS AND ENTHUSIASM WRAPS UP ANOTHER FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION
MANCHESTER, N.H. – “It’s not about the robot, it’s about the future and the need to solve the world’s problems for the next century,” said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST during the last day of competition at the 7th annual Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics competition held Feb. 26 - 28 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H.
Kamen added there’s no better activity to channel student time, energy, and passion to learn about science and technology. At the same time, he said, FIRST gives students experience in the skills to enter the work force in engineering, management, manufacturing, health care, or thousands of other options.
The Granite State Regional, sponsored by BAE Systems, brings more than 1,500 students and their mentors together in a competition that emphasizes teamwork, innovation and strategy. In early January, teams received a challenge to design, develop and build a robot in six weeks using a common parts list. The robots are then competed in randomly selected alliances, performing a variety of tasks for scoring points.
The following teams received awards at today’s event:
• The 2009 Granite State FIRST Regional Robotics Champions are:
Team #121 Middleton, Portsmouth, Tiverton & Mount Hope High Schools, Newport County, Rhode Island
Team #175 Enrico Fermi High School, South Portland, Connecticut
Team #2621 Bedford High School, Bedford, Massachusetts
• The 2009 Granite State FIRST Regional Robotics Finalists are:
Team #20 Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, New York
Team #40 Trinity High School, Manchester, New Hampshire
Team#885 Randolph Union High School, Randolph, Vermont
The final day of competition ended with several teams receiving special awards.
• The most prestigious award, the Regional Chairman’s Award, was presented to Team #1519, Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds, Milford, N.H. for encouraging the best partnership effort among team participants and best exemplifying the true meaning of FIRST.
• The Judges Award for Creative Application in Mechanical Design went to Team #1729, Wapack Youth Robotics/4-H, Peterborough, N.H.
• The Judges Award for a Job Well Done and Team Spirit was awarded to Team #571, Windsor and MLC High School, Windsor, Conn.
• Team # 172, Falmouth and Gorham High Schools, Maine, won the Chrysler Team Spirit Award, celebrating extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork.
• Team #121, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton & Mount Hope High Schools, Newport County, Rhode Island, was selected as the winner of this year’s General Motors Industrial Design Award, celebrating the robot’s form and function to achieve the game’s challenge.
• Team #20, Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, N.Y., was selected as the winner of this year’s Motorola Quality Award, celebrating machine robustness in concept and fabrication.
• Team #58, South Portland High School, South Portland, Maine, was selected as the winner of this year’s Johnson & Johnson Gracious Professional Award, celebrating outstanding sportsmanship and gracious professionalism, both on and off the playing field.
• Team #133, Bonny Eagle High School, Standish, Maine, was selected as the winner of Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety Award for progressing beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.
• Team #1138, Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, Calif., was selected as the winner of this year’s Engineering Inspiration Award, celebrating a team’s success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.
• This year’s Rookie All-Star Award and Rookie Seed Award was presented to Team #3074, New School High School, Kennebunk, Maine, for their success in exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort to inspire students to learn more about science and technology.
This year’s challenge, “LunacyTM,” asks teams to design a robot, within specifications, that operates on a low-friction playing field, picking up and delivering balls to an opposing robot’s trailer. Performance is measured by the total number of balls in the opponent’s trailer following timed rounds at regional and championship competitions.
FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – designs accessible and innovative programs for young people to help build their self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. The programs seek to motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.
MANCHESTER, N.H. – “It’s not about the robot, it’s about the future and the need to solve the world’s problems for the next century,” said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST during the last day of competition at the 7th annual Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics competition held Feb. 26 - 28 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H.
Kamen added there’s no better activity to channel student time, energy, and passion to learn about science and technology. At the same time, he said, FIRST gives students experience in the skills to enter the work force in engineering, management, manufacturing, health care, or thousands of other options.
The Granite State Regional, sponsored by BAE Systems, brings more than 1,500 students and their mentors together in a competition that emphasizes teamwork, innovation and strategy. In early January, teams received a challenge to design, develop and build a robot in six weeks using a common parts list. The robots are then competed in randomly selected alliances, performing a variety of tasks for scoring points.
The following teams received awards at today’s event:
• The 2009 Granite State FIRST Regional Robotics Champions are:
Team #121 Middleton, Portsmouth, Tiverton & Mount Hope High Schools, Newport County, Rhode Island
Team #175 Enrico Fermi High School, South Portland, Connecticut
Team #2621 Bedford High School, Bedford, Massachusetts
• The 2009 Granite State FIRST Regional Robotics Finalists are:
Team #20 Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, New York
Team #40 Trinity High School, Manchester, New Hampshire
Team#885 Randolph Union High School, Randolph, Vermont
The final day of competition ended with several teams receiving special awards.
• The most prestigious award, the Regional Chairman’s Award, was presented to Team #1519, Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds, Milford, N.H. for encouraging the best partnership effort among team participants and best exemplifying the true meaning of FIRST.
• The Judges Award for Creative Application in Mechanical Design went to Team #1729, Wapack Youth Robotics/4-H, Peterborough, N.H.
• The Judges Award for a Job Well Done and Team Spirit was awarded to Team #571, Windsor and MLC High School, Windsor, Conn.
• Team # 172, Falmouth and Gorham High Schools, Maine, won the Chrysler Team Spirit Award, celebrating extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork.
• Team #121, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton & Mount Hope High Schools, Newport County, Rhode Island, was selected as the winner of this year’s General Motors Industrial Design Award, celebrating the robot’s form and function to achieve the game’s challenge.
• Team #20, Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, N.Y., was selected as the winner of this year’s Motorola Quality Award, celebrating machine robustness in concept and fabrication.
• Team #58, South Portland High School, South Portland, Maine, was selected as the winner of this year’s Johnson & Johnson Gracious Professional Award, celebrating outstanding sportsmanship and gracious professionalism, both on and off the playing field.
• Team #133, Bonny Eagle High School, Standish, Maine, was selected as the winner of Underwriters Laboratories Industrial Safety Award for progressing beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.
• Team #1138, Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, Calif., was selected as the winner of this year’s Engineering Inspiration Award, celebrating a team’s success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.
• This year’s Rookie All-Star Award and Rookie Seed Award was presented to Team #3074, New School High School, Kennebunk, Maine, for their success in exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort to inspire students to learn more about science and technology.
This year’s challenge, “LunacyTM,” asks teams to design a robot, within specifications, that operates on a low-friction playing field, picking up and delivering balls to an opposing robot’s trailer. Performance is measured by the total number of balls in the opponent’s trailer following timed rounds at regional and championship competitions.
FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – designs accessible and innovative programs for young people to help build their self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. The programs seek to motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.
Boogie Down...alliance style
This is the last post of the night. The folks with house security want us to pack up and get outta here, but stay tuned. We'll download videos and commentary from the final rounds later this evening and over the weekend. Come back and see Dean Kamen get handy with a water bottle, and of course, the white knuckle final matches, including the tie breaker round to determine the champion of the 2009 BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
Here's how the strategy goes
When you're trying to make it to the final round, you've got to have a plan. Here's one...
The Jonas Brothers are in the house!!!
Ok, that's wrong. They really aren't the Jonas Brothers, just their stunt doubles. This is Team 151, the Tough Techs, from Nashua High School. They made it into the finals today using an ingenious moon ball scooper.
7-0! Hard to complain with that kind of record.
Hear how Team 20, from Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, New York earned the #2 seeding in today's matches. Now they go into the final competition with an excellent robot and an excellent strategy. Take a look.
Attention Dartmouth College Recruiters!!!
Team 1138, all the way from Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, CA came to the Granite State Regional to compete for the second time here in New Hampshire.
While here in New England, it's a great idea to multi task and visit all of the great universities in the area. This student is particularly interested in the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. So, recruiters, you can expect to see this video clip make it into her application package.
This team went all the way to Atlanta last year, and they've been regular competitors and mentors on the FIRST circuit. They've been as far away as New Zealand. Not bad for a group of semi professional FIRST competitors!
A team of vikings, psychologists, and engineers
Team 467 from Shrewsbury High School, Shrewsbury, Mass. Don't be fooled by the red hair, they aren't related. The only DNA connection is an engineering gene.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Our wicked cool photo gallery and press releases about this year's GSR
In case you haven't noticed, BAE Systems is hosting a wicked cool photo gallery of this year's Granite State Regional Competition.
You might want to check it out to see some of your friends, family and other interesting shots of this year's event. Wicked cool photographs courtesy of BAE Systems' wicked cool photographers, Aline Cashin and Dennis Warnesky.
Aline and Dennis have been taking photos of the Granite State Regional ever since BAE Systems started sponsoring the event.
...Interesting fact about Dennis, his son is an animator for the Simpsons TV Show, and the Warnesky family will be featured in an upcoming episode. Dennis will be the guy with the mustache and goatee (not that that helps, really). So, when he takes your team photo, be sure to ask him about it.
PHOTO GALLERY:
http://www.baesystemsfirst.org/regional/gallery.htm
To keep track of this year's winners, check out our PRESS RELEASES, too:
http://www.baesystemsfirst.org/regional/press.htm
You might want to check it out to see some of your friends, family and other interesting shots of this year's event. Wicked cool photographs courtesy of BAE Systems' wicked cool photographers, Aline Cashin and Dennis Warnesky.
Aline and Dennis have been taking photos of the Granite State Regional ever since BAE Systems started sponsoring the event.
...Interesting fact about Dennis, his son is an animator for the Simpsons TV Show, and the Warnesky family will be featured in an upcoming episode. Dennis will be the guy with the mustache and goatee (not that that helps, really). So, when he takes your team photo, be sure to ask him about it.
PHOTO GALLERY:
http://www.baesystemsfirst.org/regional/gallery.htm
To keep track of this year's winners, check out our PRESS RELEASES, too:
http://www.baesystemsfirst.org/regional/press.htm
New Hampshire Union Leader
Our friends at the New Hampshire Union Leader have always done a great job covering the Granite State Regional Competition. You can check out some of their coverage, and a link to their photo gallery:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=47+teams+test+robot+dreams&articleId=d3b69ae8-211e-4472-b5eb-1f2d5b47cfe2
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Robots+unveiled+as+teams+prep+for+FIRST+competition&articleId=6673d0f9-5554-4420-b627-4172f818d771
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=47+teams+test+robot+dreams&articleId=d3b69ae8-211e-4472-b5eb-1f2d5b47cfe2
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Robots+unveiled+as+teams+prep+for+FIRST+competition&articleId=6673d0f9-5554-4420-b627-4172f818d771
Are the drivers ready?
Nothing particularly exiting or illuminating about this shot, just the gathering of the drivers before this morning's competition got underway. But, hey, it's on the camera, so I'm sharing it here for you to see. We'll be sure to post a video or two of some of the robots in action tomorrow.
Team Oz Ram
Oz Ram is confident they will dominate on the floor. We'll see how they do. The entire team takes the OZ theme to another level. They dress up like the Tin Man, the Lion, the Straw Man, and Dorothy. Haven't yet seen the wicked witch, but here's a little bit about Toto.
Team Paragon has some 'splainin to do...
Sooner or later I'll remember to ask these teams to explain how they came up with their names. Here's Team Paragon...
The NASCAR challenge
Here is a clip of Team Paragon. I asked them to demonstrate how rad their robot was, and to do it in under 30 seconds (these clips take forever to download in the Verizon "Wireless" Arena, and I gotta keep the clips short so they can download faster, but that's another topic). So, in true NASCAR pit fashion, the team showed me how they can detach their entire electronics assembly from the robot in under 30 seconds. These guys are impressive. Most impressive.
It's a robot and a blow drier
Check this out! These guys from Plan B have put some thrusters on their bot. They are the only team I've seen incorporate a fan into their strategy. It gets them around the playing field floor in a hurry. Gotta be careful, though...those floors are slippery.
Hollis Brookline has a fan in Congress
As the students of Hollis Brookline High School started to explain why they plan on taking home the Chairmans Award, lo, and behold, but who should appear? Their favorite Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District, Paul Hodes. Turns out that Congressman Hodes might have some stiff competition in the 2010 election. These kids already know how to fundraise, and they know how to win.
Today, they picked up the Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technology" Award. The award recognizes an elegant and advantageous machine feature.
FIRST is all about creating tomorrow's leaders, and these kids certainly have the smarts.
Mike Heffron cameo appearance
Mike Heffron, President of BAE Systems' Electronics, Intelligence & Support operating group, made a cameo appearance today. Even Mike has to wear the safety goggles people! Safety first!
Dave Price is dangerous on the mic
This man is dangerous on the microphone (and with his wardrobe), but we all know Dave talks like this with or without a mic. Even for things that are mundane for the rest of us ...the checkout line at the grocery store, ordering a hamburger at the drive through, or mailing a package at the post office...you gotta know that Dave is gonna be fired up about it 100%.
Fritz and Tiff stopped by
Fritz Wetherbee and Tiffany Eddy, from WMUR New Hampshire Chronicle, came by to get a close up of today's events. The Chronicle show will air two weeks from now. In this clip, Fritz and Tiff are wrapping up all of their taped shots. They will be on tonight at 7:30, and they'll be promoting the Chronicle's take on FIRST for the next week or so. Tune in.
Walking around the pits in the Verizon Wireless Arena, it's impressive to see how enthusiastic and bright these high schoolers are. This is nothing like my high school science fair. When I was in the eigth grade, I did a project on electric chairs. When the judges came by to inspect my project, they weren't very impressed. I stuck one of those big red Christmas tree lights into a Barbie Doll head, and when you flipped on the power, Barbie kinda, well...nevermind. Did I say the judges weren't impressed?
The kids here, however, WOW! They are really bright. Take Melissa Kelly, a senior at Pembroke Academy, Pembroke, N.H., for example. Melissa has been involved in FIRST for the past 13 years. She started with the program when she was just a tike. Her father is the team coach and a science teacher, and Melissa isn't far behind. She will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in fall of 2009.
Behind the scenes with one of our intrepid judges...
Behind the scenes in the Verizon Wireless Arena our volunteers get to have a break every now and then. Our judges have favorite teams, but don't worry, they are impartial when tallying scores. Really. No bias. We promise.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Robots are here...
So, here we are, day one of the BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics competition. The teams have arrived and started upacking their kits. So far, so good. The teams have started weighing in their robots, setting up their "pods" in the pit area, testing out the software and hardware...mostly, they are just itching to go.
I'm dropping in a few videos for you to take a look at...just basic day one activities.
Each of the teams have unique stories to tell about their adventures in robot design. I spoke with the Chop Shop, team 166, from Merrimack High School. It turns out, their robot was almost chopped up at the city dump after it was thrown in the dump. See the video to see what I mean.
Stay tuned for more photos, videos, and interesting tales from the Verizon Center...
I'm dropping in a few videos for you to take a look at...just basic day one activities.
Each of the teams have unique stories to tell about their adventures in robot design. I spoke with the Chop Shop, team 166, from Merrimack High School. It turns out, their robot was almost chopped up at the city dump after it was thrown in the dump. See the video to see what I mean.
Stay tuned for more photos, videos, and interesting tales from the Verizon Center...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Welcome to the FIRST Robotics Granite State Regional Blog!!!
For the first time ever, BAE Systems is live blogging the Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, bringing periodic news about the teams participating in this year's "Lunacy" challenge. This year, we hope to provide photos, videos, profiles of the teams, and tidbits of news during this year's regional competition.
If team members would like to contribute to the blog, just swing by the media/press area -- we'll be up in the press box overlooking the pit in the Verizon Center. We'll be happy to post some of the photos or videos you take, too.
See you at the BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition!
If team members would like to contribute to the blog, just swing by the media/press area -- we'll be up in the press box overlooking the pit in the Verizon Center. We'll be happy to post some of the photos or videos you take, too.
See you at the BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
