Hey! Looks like we haven't updated the blog in a while, so here's a quick rundown on what's been going on since the Regional.
The team went and visited Metro High School in the spring, because a few students there were interested in starting a team. The only trouble is that they needed a teacher sponsor, and to get the school to approve having a team. They also needed to find workspace and areas to construct and test the robot. We haven't heard from them in a while, but are hoping that they have been able to work something out! We will get in contact with them soon to follow up before the FRC season starts.
We attended the World Championship in April, though we did not compete, just observed. A few of us attended all three days, but everybody on the team got to go on Friday as a field trip. Everybody was supposed to do their 'homework'- which basically consisted of talking to teams and team members that were in a similar area of specialty. I attended a few seminars on team sustainability and keeping the team alive during the off-season. We also watched matches, paying special attention to the ones in which our friends the Robohawks participated. It was getting pretty intense towards the end, when everybody on the field lost connection. This happened again in the final rounds at Einstein. It was exciting to watch!
Over the summer, we have been working on organizing the lab, utilizing new methods such as more storage bins and labels to keep everything together. We are soon going to paint the logo on the wall as well. Also, we're working on updating our technology, and just got a new desktop from the school as well as a wifi code, and a new printer. In late summer we are going to get a SmartBoard installed. We had one of those in the AutoCAD classroom, where we used to hold practices, and it was helpful, especially during brainstorming and team meetings.
We've also been working on how to recruit (and keep!) new members in the fall. The captains have been discussing this at length, and I got the chance to attend a Robohawks meeting, and listen in on their ideas about things like that. It was pretty informative and in addition to the ideas we have been coming up with at our Captains' Meetings, I think we will have a pretty strong team next year.
The team is registered for the FTC season in the fall, as well. We are hoping that this will draw new members and encourage them to stay. It will give them an opportunity to get experience with brainstorming, building the robot, using software and ultimately, becoming a part of the RoboLions. This idea was borrowed from the Robohawks as well. Hopefully it will go well!
Well, that about covers what we've been doing. Other than all of that we're just organizing and cleaning and planning for next year. Peace out!
Captain Grace
