Year In Review
Well, this was definitely one of the better years we've had. We normally don't make it past elimination match 1, let alone become finalists. While we may not go to championships as competitors thanks to a clerical error, this is still a time to look back and figure out what went right.
We used labview again this year, and software is getting pretty good at it. While a lot of the code we use comes pre-packaged, they still have to go through a lot of debug runs, as well as write the occasional custom routine. The vision and auto-target system may have been buggy, but they were working on that all year, and could probably still use everything they learned next year in junction with more tests. Which is why we probably shouldn't use a new language or development environment unless we absolutely have to, because even more re-learning.
Design went smoothly as well. Instead of any one person being able to take credit for the design of any lone part, every part was designed by someone having an original idea, somebody else pointing out problems and suggesting fixes, and various other tweaks coming into play until the final idea surfaced. from there we had a decent couple of emissaries who could take things to those working on building the physical machine with as little trouble as possible.
Building is where the culmination of ideas started causing trouble. It was relatively easy to look at two parts that were sitting on separate tables and see exactly how they wouldn't fit. While the build went smoothly, and mostly without any real hassle, there were still some kinks to be worked out. Specifically, this is how the electronic board did not fit into the frame. Or rather, one couldn't put the board into the fully assembled frame. A lot of time was lost on electronics because of a lack of planning and communication. Bumpers also created a fair bit of hassle for similar reasons, although the wording of the bumper rules have something to do with that. Aside from these tiny lapses though, building still went pretty well.
And if one looks back through the photo gallery, if it can ever be beaten into submission, one will notice that we had a shocking minority of bodies that just stood around. Speaking as the cameraman, there were only about 6, maybe 8 people standing around at one time. One must also remember that while many hands make light work, only so many people fit around the robot. Overall, we were very busy, and everything that was needed got done.
Well, almost everything.
This is the part where you look at where the last update happened, excluding the party announcement, and then look at the date this post was created.
This is the part where you realize that that time span is about 3 months.
Whoops, my bad.
I have literally just now had the time to sit and write, let alone work on beating that gallery into working order.
I could blame the school district for blocking FTP, or I could blame my classes, but at least part of the blame must fall on me. I took the jobs that I took, I decided how to spend my time, and I just didn't make this website a priority.
So if you don't want this to happen again, the new secretary should probably get in touch with me.
Also, this website should be considered a priority by the club, if it is to be one. It is, after all, potential for another award.
2012 Kickoff!
If you missed the 2012 FRC Kickoff you missed a ton of fun!
This years game is called Rebound Rumble, and it is FIRST's take on Basketball. Rules more follow after the break
Reminder: Meeting on 8/30/11 at 6:00pm
Just a reminder, tomorrow (Tuesday, 8/30/2011) there will be the first meeting of the 2011-2012 year for RAVEN Robotics starting at 6:00pm and ending at 8:00pm.
Here is the agenda for first meeting of the year:
Wednesday August 30, 2011
Francis Howell Central High School
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Welcome to New Members
- Opening Remarks from School Sponsors: Mark Krueger Brian Stemmermann
- Club Parameters
- Year’s Goals
- Budget Information
- Expectation for Members
- Participate in fund raiser / pay dues
- Active participation in chosen activity with good attendance
- Be helpful, kind, and encouraging to all members as they go about their tasks.
- Comments from Mentors
- Fund Raiser Discussion and Information
- President Takes Over the Meeting
- Adjourn at 8:00 pm
Hope to see everyone and their parents there!
For New or Interested Students...
If you are a new high school freshman (or any student really) in the Francis Howell School District and are interested in joining the district's robotics club, you've come to the right place! You can browse around this site and see what is up with us, but here is a fast track to the important information you probably want:
- The About RAVEN Robotics page contains everything about this club specifically. We are a team that competes in About FIRST competitions.
- The first meeting is scheduled for 6:00pm to 8:00pm on August 30th at Francis Howell Central High School in Room 13, to give you some extra time to settle into High School. Your parents are encouraged to come to this meeting to learn about the club. Parents can even volunteer to help the club too!
- At the first meeting calendars detailing our future meetings will be distrusted to students and their parents (so bring them!) and you will get more information on why this team is so awesome.
- We meet about twice a month during the fall semester (now until you're winter break starts). During this time we will go over many different aspects of robotics and the engineering and science behind bringing a robot to life!
- Once you get back from your winter break things kick into high gear and the build season for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) starts. It is 6 weeks of non-stop fun. During this time we meet generally 3 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays). No one is expected to make it every day continuously, but try to be there about once a week at the least.
- We do more than just build robots, we do everything a small technology company might do including:
- Building websites and web services (this this thing you are on now!)
- Programming and Computer Engineering
- Game Strategy and Design
- Promotion, Journalism, and Fundraising
- Video Recording and Editing
- Photography and Photo Editing
- Tons of engineering related things (Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, etc...)
- Working with Teachers and Industry Professionals (Many of whom work at Boeing)
- Having fun and making some great friends
- Really any talent is a great asset to our team, so don't be shy!
Feel free to look around this website if these highlights didn't answer all your questions. Also, don't hesitate to ask us. You can email the school sponsor Mark Krueger at: JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
We hope to see you at our first meeting!
Update 2: First meeting finalized for 6:00pm instead of 6:30pm.
Recruiting Meeting on Wednesday Night
Greetings to everyone!
Hope everyone is able to stay cool. And school is starting August 8th! On Thursday, August 4th, all three high schools are having information times for clubs, sports and organizations for the incoming Freshmen. Here are the times we would have to promote Robotics:
- FHN 11:20 to 12:05
- FHC 12:40 to 1:00
- FHHS 11:40 to 12:20
It is important that we have a presence at each school. We have done this in past and have recruited several students that have been with us for all four years!
Because of this there is a meeting at Francis Howell Central High School on Wednesday Evening at 7:00 PM to organize who is going where and to get robots and other materials ready for the freshman. Dave Harmon and his sons have already said they are taking a robot to North, Mark Krueger can handle FHC, so we really need a group at FHHS. (of course we need others at both north and FHC too).
Mark Krueger will have copies of the video to be shown on the laptops. We still have some promotional items left from the competitions.
The most important information we need is an email address of an interested student. We can then send them videos, and other information to get them interested in our program. I am planning a schedule much like last year. Our first meeting will be the last week in August.
When we talk with these students we need to explain how this program really goes into high gear from January through February, with competitions in March and April.
Right now Mark Krueger has another obligation for Wednesday night. If Brian Stemmermann cannot make it, Mark Krueger will definitely be there, If he can make it.
It should be a great year! We are a team that continues to improve itself every year, and so let's not let that change!
Hope to see everyone that can make it on Wednesday. The meeting should last no longer than one hour. (students if you are being dropped off, have pickup rides at 8:00pm)
STL Regional 2011 - Day 2 Update
And with the end of the second day of competition of the FRC St. Louis Regional things have really heated up! Tons of fun and hard work all around by not only RAVEN Robotics but every FIRST team there. Learn what we did after the break!
STL Regional 2011 - Day 1 Update
Today was the start of the FRC St. Louis Regional! Although it was the practice day it was still tons of fun. Make sure to come Friday and Saturday if you can, and if you missed today learn what happened after the break.
Need to Know: St. Louis Regional 2011
Tomorrow is the start of the St. Louis Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. If you didn't know this is the event that we spent the last 6 weeks going crazy over building the robot and getting everything ready. If you are curious about everything that is going to happen everything you need to know is after the break.
RAVEN Robotics After Party 2011
Max Mulholland, the current student president, has graciously offered to host this year's after party.
See him in person for details.
For those of you new on the team the after party is a tradition someone normally holds after each year's St. Louis Regional Competition to celebrate the fun we had.
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