FIRST Robotics Final Report
The IEEE is a sponsor of the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) which held its national 2004 competition in Atlanta in April, see "Fired Up by Robots," The Institute, June 2004, Vol. 28, No. 2 for more information. The Huntsville Section gave a $1000 grant to the Falcon Engineering And Robotics (F.E.A.R.) team number 547 from Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tennessee to purchase the initial kit of parts required to enter the competitiion. The following report was submitted by Debi Hackett regarding team 547's participation on this national event.
Having won the Regional Chairman’s Award (the highest award a team can win at a regional competition not based on the robots ability), the team earned the right to attend the National Convention to compete not only on the robotic level, but also against 23 other teams from around the Nation (including a few teams outside the US) for the title of National Chairman’s Award Winner. Unfortunately, out team did not come home with the Chairman’s award. Wednesday evening was spent in last minute meetings and strategy sessions. Our spirit team spent time making the final give-away items that we will shared with other teams. On Thursday, all teams received their robots. The teams had not seen their robots since Regional Competitions. After Regional competition, the robots were crated and sent via Federal Express to the National Convention. The competition began on Thursday with preliminary rounds. The competition is divided into four competing arenas. Each team goes through five preliminary rounds. Preliminary rounds are played all day Friday and Saturday morning. During the preliminary rounds a team has no input as to whom they are paired. Teams only have 15 minutes to work out strategies with their alliance prior to competition. During the first round of eliminations, no team has any idea of how another team’s robots will perform. Most of the robots only perform one or two of the required tasks in an acceptable manner. Very rarely did we see a robot excel in all aspects of the competition. During the competition, most of our team remained in the stands cheering for our team and schmoozing with other teams. The drivers as well as a few repair attendants remain in the “Pit” area. This is the area where the robots remain until it is their turn to compete. It is here that all repairs and “tweaks” take place. After the preliminary rounds, the top twelve teams in each arena choose their alliances to compete in the semi-finals for their arena. This is a carefully calculated and evaluated decision since this alliance can make or beak a team and their chances for winning. The ultimate winners of each arena will compete in the “Einstein” arena during the finals for the championship. Before the championship matches begin, there are numerous awards given by different companies and well as the FIRST organization. Although Team F.E.A.R. did not win any competitive awards or special awards from companies, we did receive 5 awards for spirit, professionalism, team effort and team work from other competitors. These peer awards are very meaningful because the majority of teams do not recognized other teams for their efforts. It makes a team feel proud to be respected by their peers. Overall, our 36 team members, plus the sponsors and mentors who accompanied the team to Atlanta came home proud of our accomplishment and team work. As soon as the team returned home, plans for next year began. The road to competition is long and hard. Expensive entrance fees and short preparation times make it necessary for all current and future F.E.A.R. members to begin the process during the summer months. Team F.E.A.R. was the first robotics team competing from Tennessee, and Lincoln County High School (home of F.E.A.R.) is the first school in Tennessee (and who knows how many other states) to offer a “Robotics” class in the their curriculum. Competition of this magnitude takes many hours of preparation and many, many hours of fund raising. Fees for the 2005 competing season have increased, making the dream farther from our reach.