Team 1778 - MTHS Robotics

A few of our mentors are involved in Seattle Robotics Society [http://www.seattlerobotics.org/]. SRS holds many events including Robotics teams and other people in the robotics community. Our team was privilege enough to get involved and was able to one of these events. The event was called Robothon [http://www.robothon.org/robothon/index.php], which was where our team brought Chilly and a table with information about our team. Other teams including Issaquah High School [http://www.issaqhahrobotics.org/], Tahoma High School [http://trobotics.2.forumer.com/], “Team 360°” [http://www.bcp.org/student_life/robotics.aspx], “Team X-Bot” [http://franklinrobotics.com/default.aspx]were also there. One of the other booths had a man named Monty [last name?] - who created a robotic suit so that paralyzed people could still get around. [have url?]

As well as attending Robothon, some of our members listened in on their October Seminar, where the people talk about their recent successes or problems-ask for help and lend a hand when necessary. Presentations were also made – notes were taken about various topics, including the  wheel drive. How advantageous is it to have a sixteen-wheel drive?! There were two young people who had created extending back-legs, for costumes and whatnot. A few of our members had a go on them.

At Robothon, we made good connections with the group of people involved in the They Shall Walk Organization. They then told us of an upcoming event they were holding – involving the robotic suits they created. So on that Saturday that it was held on, a few students and mentors drove to the Sears in Shoreline. We came early to set up, stayed to show a booth about our team, and when the crowds came we took a short walk around the parking lot with Monty in his suit and many others. It was a very fun event and learning experience.

As other FIRST members know there is FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRS Tech Challenge, and FIRST Lego League. Our team had the opportunity to help out at the Regional this past December. There were several teams and our jobs were to keep them on schedule with when they were competing and logging in scores. “A day well-spent” because they are the future us. We are promoting early and to a crowd interested already.

Recommendation to other teams:

Really get out there in your community! Other FRC teams, as well as FLL and FTC. And once you form that relationship – keep with it. Just like friendships, they don't just come from thin air and you have to work at it. Such as with the FLL Regional that our team helped out at – those are the future “us”. They might just be in elementary or middle school but one day, soon, they will be a freshman in high school. Looking for a way to spend their time.