Testing Student-Built Robots at Harvey Mudd

Kat Loscalzo '16, Staff Writer

The purpose of the FIRST (For Inspiration of Science and Technology) Robotics competition is to inspire high school students from around the world to participate in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Every year, the competition gives robotics teams an engineering challenge — a task that their robot must be able to perform. This year’s game, Aerial Assist, requires teams to each create a mobile robot that can maneuver a two-foot diameter ball.  Two groups are formed by three robotics teams, each for the purpose of releasing the ball into the opposing group’s low and high goals. Bonus points are awarded when the ball is passed among the teams in the same group as they make their way down the field.  Teams are given six weeks to design and build the robot; this period of time is called build season.

On February 15th, three days before the end of build season, twenty-nine high school teams tested their robots at the Robotics Scrimmage at Harvey Mudd.

The Robotics Scrimmage at Harvey Mudd provides an opportunity for participating teams to practice playing the game, test their robots in a competitive arena, and work out any kinks their robots may have before the build season deadline. Marymount’s robotics team, “Team #974” or “Nautae” (Sailor in Latin), was able to identify issues regarding their robot, and the team was able to ask members of other robotics team for guidance.  The teams also benefited by being able to have their robots inspected by adults who work with FIRST.  This was particularly fortunate for the team that was told upon inspection that their robot exceeded the perimeter requirement. If they had not attended the scrimmage, they could have been disqualified at the actual competition! Although the all-day robotics scrimmage consisted of hard work, dedication, and diligence, fun was certainly had by all.