Talking FIRST at the Great Minnesota Get Together
By Kirsten M., September 4, 2010
Outreach
Outreach
Zazu at the Fair
Zazu at the Fair.
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Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816 went to the Minnesota State Fair on August 26 and team members did double duty. The Green Machine helped out at the FIRST Robotics booth that was part of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Day in Carousel Park, as well as took part in State Fair competitions held in the Education Building.
In Carousel Park, the FIRST booth showcased robots from the last two years of the FIRST Tech Challenge competitions. Visitors were invited to drive the robots on a full-sized FTC field and operate controls that either shot balls into goals or dumped hockey-sized pucks. FTC teams, for ages 14 to 18, are now forming; visit MN FTC for more information. Adjacent to the FTC field was the booth for High Tech Kids that oversees FIRST Lego League in Minnesota. There, fairgoers could to try their hand at operating Lego robots. Check out High Tech Kids, to get started.
In the Education Building, the Green Machine’s 2010 robot, Zazu, took to the field three times during the demonstrations, playing against FRC teams from North Branch and Centennial High Schools. The challenge this year was a modified version of the 2010 FIRST Breakaway game. Robots had to kick soccer balls and score goals by traversing the bump to push or kick balls into the goal. Each robot also had to "park" in a specific corner of the field while another team member used hand-signals to help maneuver the robot into position.
Zazu’s most exciting moment was when it successfully went over the bump but then somersaulted onto its top, smashing flat its Lexan top. Fortunately, the Lexan did what it was designed to do, and kept Zazu’s mechanical and electrical systems safe from severe damage. Zazu will need some TLC (repairs) to get back into competition-shape for the upcoming fall mini-regional.
