Students, mentors, parents and alumni from Bonners Ferry High School FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ met on January 3 for the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff Broadcast.
This year’s game is “Recycle Rush,” in which the goal is to build a robot that scores points by stacking totes and recycling containers, and disposing of litter (pool noodles).
The match starts with a fifteen-second Autonomous Period where the robots are not controlled by drivers, but by computer-programmed directions. In the next two minutes and fifteen seconds, which is named the Teleop Period, robots are operated by drivers. The full game animation for Recycle Rush can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAN1B7oKDXE.
Working within a specific time frame
Our team now has a strict six-week timeline to strategize, design, prototype, build and program our robot. We are only provided with a very basic kit of parts, leaving room for our team to design its own unique robot. At the end of six weeks, our robot must be “bagged and tagged,” and cannot be worked on until we arrive at the competition.
This year we will be returning to the Western Canada Regional in Calgary, Alberta from April 1-5.
We are currently in the strategy and design phase of the six-week build season. Student team members will be working side-by-side with our talented and dedicated mentors as we create this year’s robot.
For more information on our team’s progress, please visit our Facebook page,
“FIRST Team 2130” and our website, www.bfhsrobotics.com
Local Robotics has been successful
The Robotics program at Bonners Ferry High School has been successful over the previous eight years it has been available at the school. Over the years, the program at BFHS has earned the following awards and championships:
2007 -- BFHS FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ won the Rookie Inspiration Award at the Pacific Northwest Regional in Portland, OR.
2010 – Won the Autodesk Oregon Regional in Portland and a berth at the 2010 First Championship in Atlanta, GA.
2012 – Received the Innovation in Control Award and the Engineering Inspiration Award at the Autodesk Oregon Regional in Portland, earning a place at the 2012 First Championship in St. Louis, MO.
2013 – Won the Engineering Inspiration Award at the Spokane Regional, earning another trip to the First Championship in St. Louis.
2013 – Regional finalists at Autodesk Oregon Regional in Portland. Lead mentor Ed Katz won the Woodie Flowers Award, which recognizes mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication skills.
Participation from the community
This year's Bonners Ferry High School FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ is made up of 25 students and 11 mentors. Our faculty advisor this year is Bonners Ferry High School science teacher David Nix. This year's Community Mentors include Ed Katz, Jill Katz, John Kaessinger, Adam Krezman, Larry Melior, Carrick Remaley, Pat Rodgers, Shannon Rodgers, Albert Solt, Mike Tymrak and Dennis Weed.
Junior High program
In adddition to the high school program, there is also a Middle School version of Robotics. FIRST Lego League (FLL) Robotics Team Omega formed at Boundary County Middle School in September 2014 with the help of retired high school science teacher Ed Katz and sixth-grade middle school teacher Jaak Sanders. There are 10 middle school students on the team. The middle school students on Team Omega are mentored by high school students from Team 2130.
We are extremely grateful for the support and enthusiasm our local community has shown toward our team. FIRST Robotics Team 2130 Alpha+ runs primarily on donations from generous businesses, organizations and community members. We would greatly appreciate any potential support or sponsorship. Checks may be made payable to Bonners Ferry High School Robotics, and mailed to Bonners Ferry High School, 6485 Tamarack Lane, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
For further information on the Robotics programs, please contact our Lead Mentor, Ed Katz (edward.katz@mail.bcsd101.com)