Today’s meeting was fairly short. Mr. Wherley ran through the list of off-season projects and made sure each has a student leader and adult mentor. All the leadership roles are full, but there is still plenty of rooms for volunteers. The square-bots still need work, so everyone should attend the next meeting on Tuesday April 12 from 7-10 p.m.
All posts by Elisabeth
Off Season Excitement!
Tonight the team discussed the accomplishments and weaknesses of the year. We came up with ways to get the message out to Herndon High School, participate in more events, and recruit more members. The team is encouraged to let their friends and family know about Epsilon Delta. Next year we are going to be bigger and better.
Although the competition season is over, we will still be having meetings every Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. FIRST Team 116 needs to plan the Ice Cream Social, Relay for Life, and the Herndon Festival. Next week we will focus on the Herndon Festival and getting the square-bots reassembled. Dave also mentioned some really exciting events and projects we can take part in, but they require hard work and dedication. These projects range from helping Japan to hosting our own competition.
Another thing to look into is that our team will now accept a wider variety of students. Next year there will be a sub-team for those who want to design the pit, those who want to write the Chairman’s Award submission, and those who want to set up the playing field. Therefore, we would love artistic people, creative writers, editors, and computer graphics students to come check out the team.
Finally, Epsilon Delta is getting a trophy case placed by the main entrance of Herndon High School. The case will display our banners, plaques, and awards. Good job guys!
A Job Well Done
The trip was a success. Team 116 was able to make it to the quarterfinals at the Bayou Regional. Despite problems with the arm and mini-bot deployment, we were able to contribute to the alliance every match. Even when behind, our team was hyped up and they spread their enthusiasm to the entire crowd. Epsilon Delta was awarded the Creativity Award for the signaling system. Next week is the D.C. Regional, so keep it up! It is an open event so encourage your family and friends to come watch the event.
After the match on Friday the team went out for a night out in the French Quarters and had a splendid time at the Haunted History Tour and Cafe du Monde.
There will be a meeting tomorrow Monday March 21 from 7-10 p.m.
One More Week
There are still some last minute things for us to do to prepare for the trip. We need the final Bill of Materials for all teams. Also, at least one member should go to http://www.usfirst.org/ to do the checklist for the big robot- minibot is already being taken care of.
As Mr. Wherley said there is always something to do, so ask around when you are idle. Minibot teams is working on building copies and deployment needs to assemble their system to the frame. We also need people to think of the Pit layout. Remember that space is limited.
By Thursday every team should start getting together a tool kit to bring to the competition. Minibot team members need to start learning every single circuit and assemblage required to build it because our sub-team is going without any mentors. This is very important.
In other news, the Chairman’s Video group is meeting tomorrow afternoon to plan. Ideas are welcome. Our next meeting is Thursday March 10 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday February 16
Today was a quiet day. Everyone knew exactly what had to get done and got immediately to it. We have until Tuesday to finish everything, so if you know you are under 60% you have until then to catch up your hours.
We have many people who have written that they want to try-out for the flight team. It’s time to practice for Saturday!
We also picked our roommates for the New Orleans trip. There are four people to a room. Therefore if you have over 80% and have paid you need to contact a mentor tomorrow to tell them with whom you want to share a room. With that said, the second round of fees for the trip are soon due.
Our next meeting is tomorrow February 17 from 6-10 pm.
Tuesday February 15
I am happy to say that all the sub-teams are making great progress. Some sub-teams are working on the final touches. Once you finish, we advise you ask around to help the others. FTC has a couple designs, so now it is just a matter of what works best. Everything that needs to be shipped on Saturday is sure to be ready.
In other news, everyone needs to inform the team on their shirt size. We are soon having try-outs for the flight team- all those interested in being a human player, coach, or driver needs to start practicing. Depending on progress, the try-outs are scheduled for Saturday.
Our animation team’s video is complete. Great job guys! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPC-3_rKQSc
The next meeting will be tomorrow, Wednesday February 16 from 6-10 pm. There will be Robotics every day this week except for Friday, so let’s make the most out of it!
Monday January 24
The team is now dividing into subgroups regularly. Each team has an inventor to display its contribution. At the next meeting we will see what everyone has come up with so far.
Rising seniors have picked their classes today, so I would like everyone to look into taking Physics Engineering next year. Though they recommended you be at least a sophomore. The class will go hand-in-hand with one another and serves as a study hall during the rigorous Build Season. See Mr. Ence for more information. They need at least 30 students to make it happen.
Saturday Meeting and FTC Competition (Annandale)
Today the Robotics team divided into subgroups and worked on their part of the FRC robot.
In other news, Herndon High’s FTC group (Team 519) participated in the NOVA competition in Annandale. We started with some technical difficulties, but we overcame them. It was not enough to make it to the top so we focused on learning from this event. It was a great opportunity to make friends, learn strategy, and add to our button collection. With this said and done we are now focusing on the minibot design. The next meeting is on Monday January 24 at 6 p.m. Mr. Koca said we will have a recap and then we are off to work. Get ready!
Thursday January 20
Today each member went back to their subteam and planned what they were going to do for the Build Season. FTC had to focus on the Annandale competition. Then we had a 24/7 to allow the team to be up to date. Finally, after an hour, there was a CDR to go over design details and BOMs. Send your purchase orders to Dave and Wherley as soon as possible!
There is still a lot of work to be done so 100% attendance is needed. We have some catching up to do. The next meeting will be Saturday July 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will continue CDRs at 8a and a few groups will start theirs builds.
This Saturday is also the FTC competition at NOVA. We need to be there by 7:15. It will last until about 6 p.m. so try to show up for at least a couple hours if you can. Talk to Mrs. Sowder if you need extra information. Good luck!
Saturday January 15
Every group was able to come up with a robot design and make a presentation to explain it. Afterwards the group had a PDR and the best robot design has yet to be chosen. The third rules test has been given and those who have not taken it should try to as soon as possible.
The next meeting in on Monday January 17, 2010 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. to add detail to the robot design that is to be chosen.