Huntington County 4-H Robotics

New 1501 Marketing Group

Chris — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:16:31 +0000

A new marketing group has formed on our team. A charge lead by Sondra and Gracie.

Their Facebook group describes them as:

“A new group specifically for the marketing team of frc 1501. The marketing team covers t-shirts, logo, overall team image, the pit makeover, publicity(including fliers, posters, press releases, etc), and team networking at events.”

You can join the Facebook group here:

http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=36837461472&ref=mf

Or contact the group at:

1501marketing at gmail.com

Guitar Hero National Instruments Robot

Chris — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:12:16 +0000

I am so glad we have alot of students that like to play guitar hero. I just wonder if you can beat this robot?

http://www.viroadshow.com/2008/08/niweek-slashbot-guitar-hero-playing.html

Chris Elston elected New Indiana FIRST President

Chris — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:01:11 +0000

I kind of feel weird posting my own news, but last night at the Kokomo Indiana FIRST leaders meeting something weird happened. I was nominated to be the president for Indiana FIRST.

Some of the items on the TO DO list this year are:

Fix the Indiana FIRST website: www.indianafirst.org
Indiana FIRST license plates
Incorporate the organization and gain 503c status
Resource sharing bulk buying idea
Invite teams out of state to attend Kokomo forums
Investigate something for Indiana like Michigan is doing in 2009
Some kind of event Calendar on the website
Publish the present, and past Indiana FIRST officer minutes.
Publish and update bylaws

Interesting stuff, and I feel a bit nervous, but at the same time honored to try and serve all 27 teams in Indiana as well as be your 2009 Team T.H.R.U.S.T team President. I may need a zantac before it’s over.

New Marketing Team for 2009 Season

Chris — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:58:55 +0000

Well one thing if you didn’t know already was a HUGH leap into trying to establish an image for the team. There is a small committee of people that have formed a charge and here is just a little taste of their work. If your interested in being apart of what the new team image will look like, let me know and I’ll get you in touch with the new marketing team people.

FIRST Team Says ‘Thanks’ to BAE Systems

Chris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:57:24 +0000

The U.S. FIRST Huntington Robotics Team Thrust #1501 of Indiana thanked BAE Systems of Fort Wayne at the team’s picnic in June for the company’s support of U.S. FIRST and the team. Four BAE Systems employees served as judges at the Boilermaker Regional Competition at Purdue University in March, and BAE Systems supplied the Huntington team with equipment. The team won a safety award at Boilermaker Regional. “With the increased emphasis on safety awareness at BAE Systems, we’re very proud to be partnered with the Huntington Robotics Team,” said Randy Brock, production support manager at BAE Systems Platform Solutions in Fort Wayne.

In the photo above, Platform Solutions Fort Wayne senior hardware design engineer Brian Ohlwine (right) accepts a bronze medal and plaque on behalf of BAE Systems from a member of the U.S. FIRST Huntington Robotics Team of Indiana.

FIRST Pilots New Event Competition Structure in Michigan

Chris — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:50:41 +0000

FIRST is pleased to announce that, in cooperation with the volunteer leadership of FIRST in the state of Michigan, a new pilot district event model will be launched for the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) season to provide increased robotics competitions and reach more students statewide in Michigan.

The volunteer leadership in Michigan has launched its own 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the state, which will be known as ‘FIRST in Michigan’, to implement and execute the new district event pilot model as well as other FIRST programs. FIRST in Michigan will be responsible for implementing FRC programs in the state to make the most effective use of local resources and create more opportunities in robotics for students.

See postings: here and here

Rotary Club Luncheon Presentation

Chris — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:35:10 +0000

I am looking for as many students to show up next Tuesday at the LaFontaine Center at 11:30 am for a luncheon until about 2pm. The only catch is you need to wear your team shirt and socialize.

Also we need to drive the robot around a bit at the end. (It’s the Rotary Club luncheon presentation). You don’t have to speak or anything, just smile and talk to them about robotics, table talk is good.

If you can come, please RSVP to me by THURSDAY this WEEK, I need to let them know how many people are coming.

It’s next Tuesday, August 5th from 11:30 am till about 2 pm.
Brief Agenda:
11:30 am unload robots and setup projection.
12:00 pm eat lunch till 12:55pm
12:55 till about 1:25pm presentation
1:30 pm pack up

“Use the Force Forum Luke”

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:23:53 +0000

Not directed at Luke personally, just sounded catchy.

But really, team members, try to start checking/using the forum more. It could really improve our flow of communication.

We’re also going to add an arcade on Monday, so everyone try to beat Chris at Space Invaders.

“I’m not that smart” to join Huntington Robotics

Chris — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:22:23 +0000

This is a statement we get alot when we are looking for new students to join our team. Your looking at the robot and you wonder that you can’t possibly do anything like that. I’d like to touch on fact that this is what this program is about. We are here to teach and inspire you. Focus your learning so you can expand your knowledge. Try not to look at the robot has a whole, but smaller “projects” and as we work together with the rest of team towards a common goal of building a machine to compete with the rest of the world.

One of our students posted this question on Cheif Delphi, a place on the internet where all the teams discuss the FIRST robotics competition. Here are some great quotes from other students and mentors around the world:

by tennispro9911
Its not how much knowledge you have, its how much you want to learn.

by Al Skierkiewicz
then the response should be “you are already smart enough, you just need to focus on something. Join the team and we will help you learn how to do that.”

by klrswift
Joining a FIRST team is the beginning of “smart,” not the culmination.

by Lancer Robotics
It is not brains but desire that matters

by Andy Baker
Smart is a relative term. Everyone is smart about something, but still dense about others. Once people realize that they have potential to be smart at anything, nothing can stop them.

You can read the whole post here.

Come on out and give us a try. Check out the calendar on the right and come to our next meeting.

PaintBall August 2nd, 8:30 AM

Chris — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:49:18 +0000

It’s time again for that monthly duke it out with your robotics buddies paintball cage match. Snabls are meeting at the normal place, woods by Wal-Mart August 2nd, on a Saturday morning. The start time is 8:30 AM. Let Micah know if you have any questions: