Week 3 recap

Hello all.

Well here it is the end of week 3.  It always seems to slow down at this point in the season but there really is alot going on.

• CADing continues
• Parts are being made
• Prototyping different ideas
• Ordering parts and material
• Payment sent for South Florida Regional
• Field trip paperwork

Some house keeping items:

- Our hotel reservations for Orlando are confirmed.  We're staying at the Crestwood Suites on University Dr. - about 10 minutes from the venue.  I have a few extra rooms both doubles and Queens.  If there are any parents that would like to stay with us let me know day(s) and room type.

-Speaking of Orlando, dates of the regional are Thursday, 3/7 - Saturday, 3/9.  We'll leave at 12:30PM on Wednesday, 3/6 and return on Saturday, 3/9 around 9PM.

- We will participating in a robot demonstration on Saturday, 2/16 in Weston as part of a Boy Scout Camporee.  I will send out details as they become available.

- The Coconut Creek Butterfly and Business Expo is on Saturday, 2/23 and barring a rain out (as in the pas we'll be at that as well.

Last Tuesday, students from Team 4592, McArthur High School, came up for help with their control system.  I would like to recognize Joel Cosme and his father, Enrique for spending several hours working with them getting everything setup so they could have a functioning robot.  They also shared their strategy and robot design.  David Guzman gave them some helpful tips on the mechanical side.  Finally, we will be working with them towards their goal of winning the Rookie All-Star award.

Helping McArthur High School students

A couple of future engineers?

Hmm...they don't look very busy

Teamwork!

Week 2 recap

It's been kind of slow this week what with exams and all, but progress is still being made:

- Some parts are being made
- The pyramid goal is complete
- Work has begun on a scouting program
- As reported in the first weeks recap, CADing of the robot was underway.  However, a major change was being discussed as of 10PM last night.  Stay tuned...

A few snap shots of the week:

 Working on the scouting program

Making the parts

Future engineers

Putting final touches on pyramid goal

Week 1 recap

The first week of the 2013 build season is but a fading memory.  Much was accomplished - here's what happened:

- Our game strategy is set
- Frisbee shooter design has evolved but looks solid now
- Floor collection method looks good
- The general design of the robot is set and the CADing process has commenced
- Field goals and human loading station are assembled
- Gearboxes are being assembled and broken in

The highlight of the week was the presentation of a check to TechTiger Robotics for $3500.  This was a grant awarded to us by The Dart Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of The Dart Container Corp.  Ms. Alicia Pascua delivered the good news personally.

Great job by everyone working hard and contributing to the effort.

I'll post an update the middle of this coming week.

Here's a few pics from the last week:

'Twas the Night Before Kickoff

That's right - it's finally here!

The Kit of Parts are in South Florida for the 22 teams that will be attending kickoff tomorrow.  There are 5 rookie teams joining us this year.

TechTigers are meeting at Sonny's and, as in the past, after viewing the unveiling of the game challenge, the team will be broken into groups to discuss first thoughts and possible game strategy.

Stay tuned as I will keep everyone up to date on our progress over the next 6 weeks.

A conversation I overheard:

Mentor to student: "You have fun when you win don't you?"
Students' response: "Yes"
Mentor: "Then let's go have some fun!"

Ok, TechTigers, let's go have some FUN!