Blog

School Rally and GATE Outreach

Submitted by Izzie on May 21, 2010 - 5:08pm

Today was packed. We started off with demos in two school rallies. By the second one, we had mastered our act and, firing soccer balls in the air, we had the crowd cheering. For our finale, we made our robot push the goal back to the station to help with clean-up.

An hour or so later we went to Graham Middle School and led a robotics seminar for GATE students. After providing an overview of a typical FRC season, reviewing parts, and explaining this year's challenge, we split into mock-brainstorm groups and demo-ed our robot with Q/A. From this we know we have a lot of recruits on our way!

Finish to a Successful "Breakaway" Season

Submitted by Izzie on April 29, 2010 - 8:53pm

Spartan Robotics has once again come to the close of a very successful term. After strong performance at FRC Championships in Atlanta and continuing our undefeated streak at Silicon Valley Regional, we have a lot to be proud of. Our 24-5-0 record would, of course not have been possible without the tremendous effort from our supporters. We would like to thank our sponsors, mentors, and volunteers for making our "Breakaway" year a success, and we look forward to what we can accomplish in the future.

2010 Silicon Valley Regional Champions

Submitted by Izzie on March 24, 2010 - 6:43pm

After an intense build season in wake of this year's "Breakaway" challenge, Team 971 returned to SVR to maintain the title as undefeated champions. Due to the devotion of the drive team, pit crew, scouting group, our mentors, and those who came to cheer us on, we were successful. We are also grateful for our alliance partners, 254 and 649--what a team! In addition to being a regional champion, Team 971 received the "Coopertition Award," an award bestowed on basis of cooperative and friendly competition.

We are looking forward to FRC Championships in Atlanta!

Build Season: Week One

Submitted by admin on January 15, 2010 - 5:14pm

Tomorrow will mark the end of the first week of the 2010 build season.  This week we have started prototyping and design work and had strategy discussions. The candy jar has already been emptied twice, and dedicated team members are staying until 9pm today, with some very nice parents providing food. We are well on our way to creating some new memories to be quoted throughout the year.

Build Season Kickoff!

Submitted by admin on January 9, 2010 - 11:40pm

The new challenge is out! And it is (drumroll please)...Breakaway!
It involves soccer balls being scored into 4 goals at the corner of the field. This is complicated by the two "bumps" running across the field, dividing it into thirds. For full game descriptions as well as the animation and full rules, go to http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=452 for the manual and http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/content.aspx?id=16209&terms=breakaway for the animation.

We had a great first day of build season, with some team members getting there as early as 7am to watch the broadcasts. The 10 am release of the challenge was followed by brainstorming and strategy sessions as well as some intense study of the rules. The team has some basic concepts for the robot and has now begun prototyping. We also took some time off to play a little soccer with our new game pieces, as well as celebrate the birthday of Hershal Patel. Happy 18th Hershal!

The team will be in the lab from 11 am to 5pm tomorrow, as well as 2:30 to 5pm every day after school and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Happy Build Season Kickoff Day!
~Charlie and Teresa