Oneupweb : Future Science and Technology Leaders – Part 2

Well, six weeks have gone by since I reported the kickoff of the FIRST^® Robotics Competition build season. As this goes to press, the 1711 Raptors have just one more late night of final preparations on their 2012 season robot, Ares, before it goes in the bag to await the District Competition. This competition will be held at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan, on March 2nd and 3rd. It is the first of several competitions on the way to the Championship event in St. Louis, Missouri, in late April.

Students are grouped into design, programming, building, communications, media, and executive teams which must cooperate to achieve a challenging goal. This goal is not only to build a machine, but to inspire appreciation for science and technology and be a positive role model for other students. For example, winning the prestigious Chairman’s Award requires all of the following:

• significant impact on the learning experience of students, schools, and engineers
• being a role model for others who want to be involved
• generating excitement in the school, community, and beyond
• finding innovative ways to communicate the FIRST message
• evidence of strong, sustained partnerships in accomplishing these goals

I can think of no substitute for the experience of building and participating in such a team.

In January, our team here at Oneupweb was privileged to meet four student representatives of the Raptors. They came to our offices to show off their proficiency with a demonstration of last year’s robot competitor, Hyperion, and to appeal for support by offering energy-efficient lighting for sale to benefit the robotics program. Naturally, we also showed our proficiency by capturing this event on digital media for all to see. Check it out in stills and video!