By Brianna Mariotti, Team 399 Eagle Robotics
LANCASTER – Team 399 Eagle Robotics, mentors and alumni gathered this past Saturday at Lancaster High School for the unveiling of the 2015 First Robotics Competition game, Recycle Rush.
According to USFirst.org, “Recycle Rush is a recycling-themed game designed for the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition. It is played by two alliances of three teams each. Alliances compete simultaneously to score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of litter, represented by pool noodles, in designated locations. In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all scoring elements used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.
Each Recycle Rush match begins with a 15-second autonomous period in which robots operate independently of their drivers. During this period, robots attempt to move themselves, their yellow totes, and their recycling containers into the area between the scoring platforms, called the Auto Zone. Additional points are awarded if the yellow totes are arranged in a single stack.”
The kickoff event on Jan. 3 marked the beginning of the six-week design and build of a bot kicking robot. “In designing a winning robot, every second counts” stated Team 399 Mentor David Voracek.
The robot will be revealed Feb. 13 to sponsors and the community at the annual Roll-Out in the high school theater.
Joining Team 399 during build season will be Eaglets, a five-week program for 8th grade students. Each Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., they will have the opportunity to work alongside team members at Lancaster High School and learn about all aspects of the team, from manufacturing to Photoshop. Spaces are still available for those interested in signing up.
Eagle robotics on Jan. 10 will be announcing the winner of their Name a Robot Contest. This is the second year they have had K-8th grade students submit entries to name their robot. Last year’s winning entry, submitted by Noah Gregory, was Cortex.
For more information about the team, to sign your child up for Eaglets, or to print a Name a Robot submission visit Team399.org.
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