Recent News 
Bakken hosts visit, talk by founder Earl Bakken
August 25, 2008 -- Earl Bakken, the founder of Medtronic, Inc., which is Team 1816’s leading corporate sponsor, paid a visit to his namesake museum while he was recently in the Twin Cities. Green Machine team member Matt H. had the opportunity to hear Mr. Bakken speak to a small group about his life and various inventions. Mr. Bakken founded Medtronic (medical + electronics) after World War II and invented the first battery-operated pacemaker. The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis, is the only library and museum in the United States devoted to medical electronics. Matt and fellow team member Greg B. are regular volunteers at the museum, assisting with children's programs and acting as tour guides. The team this summer participated in several Bakken events, including landscaping and recycling projects.
See “The Green Machine” at the Minnesota State Fair! By Greg B.
August 23, 2008 -- For all those attending the 2008 “Great Minnesota Get Together,” be sure and make time to visit the Education Building, where the Green Machine and other Minnesota FIRST teams will be displaying their 2008 competition robots and educating visitors about the programs offered by FIRST and their impact on students interested in science, math, technology and engineering. Two live demonstrations of the robots will take place each day of the fair (which runs from August 21st to September 1st), once at 10 AM and again at 1 PM. The robots will play a modified version of the 2008 game “FIRST Overdrive,” and compete on driving skills.
Team 1816-The Green Machine itself is scheduled to be at the fair on Tuesday, August 26th and Wednesday, August 27th; at least two Minnesota FIRST teams will be present each day (see below for a schedule of the teams that’ll be there). We’re also told that the robots are going to be judged with the other technology education entries on several criteria, including originality, function, and structure. Who knows, maybe Zerkit will take home a blue ribbon or two before the fair is over!
On Tuesday, join the audience of KSTP Channel 5’s “Twin Cities Live” program when The Green Machine will make an appearance along with Team 2532-Forest Lake. The program will be broadcast beginning at 3 PM from the Minnesota State fairgrounds.
Be one of the first visitors to our booth at the Fair and ask a Green Machine team member for a “super FIRST” fan. We hope to see you there!
- 8/21 -- Team 2220 - Blue Twilight, Eagan & Team 2472 - Centurions, Circle Pines
- 8/22 -- Team 2129 - Ultraviolet, Minneapolis Southwest & Team 2472 - Centurions, Circle Pines
- 8/23 -- Team 2177 - The Robettes, Visitation High School &
Team 2169 - KING TeC, Prior Lake
- 8/24 -- Team 2177 - The Robettes, Visitation High School & Team 2129 - Ultraviolet, Minneapolis Southwest
- 8/25 -- Team 2264 - Trojan Robots, Wayzata & Team 2169 - KING TeC, Prior Lake
- 8/26 -- Team 1816 - The Green Machine, Edina & Team 2532 - The Rangers, Forest Lake
- 8/27 -- Team 1816 - The Green Machine, Edina & Team 2532 - The Rangers, Forest Lake
- 8/28 -- Team 2220 - Blue Twilight, Eagan & Team 2207 - Prime 329, White Bear Lake
- 8/29 -- Team 2264 - Trojan Robots, Wayzata & Team 2549 - Millerbots, Minneapolis Washburn
- 8/30 -- Team 2129 - Ultraviolet, Minneapolis Southwest & Team 2667 - How ‘bout dem apples, Apple Valley
- 8/31 -- Team 2232 - Deus ex Machina, Anoka & Team 2530-Rochester
- 9/1 -- 2 teams determined by State Fair daily competition
Bakken Goes Green for Aquatennial By Matt H.
August 4, 2008 -- The Green Machine went green again with another trip to The Bakken during the Minneapolis Aquatennial Celebration, July 23-24. This time, members of Team 1816 were in charge of The Bakken’s “Bike VIP Zone,” checking in and keeping track of bicycles of all sorts during “Bike to The Bakken Day.” Next day, team members helped collect cans for recycling. Both of these events were part of the annual “Ten Best Days of Summer” Aquatennial Celebration. For more about The Bakken and upcoming events, click http://www.thebakken.org/events/events.htm; for the Aquatennial, click http://www.aquatennial.com.
“Minnesota Madness” Adds Robot Cool to Hot Summer By Sophie B.
July 30, 2008 – Blowing the dust off robots that haven’t seen action since the end of the FIRST Overdrive competitions last spring, several metro-area FIRST Robotics teams came together for an off-season event dubbed “Minnesota Madness.” Members of The Green Machine gathered at Eagan High School, along with Teams 2177-The Robettes, Team 2129-Ultraviolet, Team 2220-Blue Twilight, and Team 2264-The Trojans, for a full day of friendly off-season competition on July 22.
Much of the morning was devoted to trouble-shooting robots and practicing on the field, while the afternoon was spent running two-on-two matches. At the end of the day, The Green Machine’s Zerkit emerged undefeated! In fact, team members were pleased that some last minute adjustments actually helped the robot run better than it had during the regular season.
Edina Robotics Team 1816 would like to thank Team 2264-The Trojans, Wayzata, for their help planning this “mini-regional” event, as well as Team 2220-Blue Twilight, Eagan, for the use of their high school and playing field. The day was a great success and we look forward to holding more such events in the coming year!
Green Machine Members Help Make a Difference at U.S. Women’s Open By Greg B.
July 1, 2008 -- More than 114,000 spectators flocked to the golf greens for the U.S. Women’s Open at Edina’s Interlachen Country Club June 23-29, 2008, and members of Team 1816 were right in the center of the action. In keeping with the team’s resolution to “go green” this coming year, several members of the team volunteered their time to help with recycling at the tournament. This initiative, led by the Recycling Association of Minnesota, deployed volunteers to collect recyclables, compost, and trash, as well as help keep the grounds clean. Indeed, if everything at the event has gone off as planned, the Recycling Association and their many volunteers will have made the event the first ever, “zero-waste” U.S. Women’s Open! To learn more, visit the association’s website at http://www.recycleminnesota.org/
The Green Machine Gets its Hands all Green
June 22, 2008 -- The Green Machine joined the Green Thumb Crew at The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis, Minn., for an evening of gardening and landscaping duties. Well slathered in sunscreen and bug spray, 11 team members worked in the gardens and surrounding grounds, helping to make the immediate environment around The Bakken a much greener and tidier place. Using shovels, trowels, and rakes, we cleared brush and weeded garden beds, including pulling out giant invasive weeds. The team cooled off afterwards with shakes at the Convention Grill. Find out more about The Bakken and its mission of science education at their website.
The Green Machine Presents: David Cook, American "Robo" Idol
May 27, 2008 -- Just released, a Team 1816 video production, “David Cook – American Idol.” This three minute promotional video includes singing, interviews, and even some sneak footage of The Green Machine’s departing star. As an added bonus, the feature even includes judge testimonials on David. Don’t believe it? Watch and see for yourself!
Dean Kamen meets with FIRST members from metro-area teams
May 3, 2008 -- Dean Kamen, world-renowned as an entrepreneur and inventor but best-known to FIRST Robotics members as the tireless advocate for all things science and technology, was the keynote speaker at the 2008 Science & Technology Banquet, hosted annually by the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology. On hand to welcome Mr. Kamen to Minneapolis were Kevin O'Connor, a member and now mentor of Team 2175-Flying Calculators, Woodbury; Sam Check and Nick Rolston of Team 2169-KingTEC, Prior Lake; David Cook and Stef Hornung, Team-1816-The Green Machine, Edina.
Wrapping up an exciting season by competing in Atlanta! By Greg B.
April 29, 2008 -- The 2008 FIRST competition season came to an exciting finale with the World Championships in Atlanta, and Team 1816 was right there in the middle of the action. During the tournament, held April 17 to 19, 2008, The Green Machine competed with 350 other teams for the robotics title of World Champions. To crown the winner, the attending FRC teams were split into four divisions, each with around 85 teams, with the winning alliance from each division moving on to compete on a fifth field, Einstein, for the world title. The Green Machine was placed in the Galileo division, and the competition there sure was fierce. Combined, the teams facing off in Galileo possessed 36 regional wins! With all the competition, the team gave it everything they had, finishing a respectable 4-3, ending in 40th place in the division. Surrounded by remarkable robots from which to choose, The Green Machine was not get picked by any of the top-seeded teams to advance to the elimination rounds. Yet, there were other bonuses to take away from Atlanta: for the first time this year, in competition-conditions, Zerkit (our robot) actually worked properly in virtually all of its matches!
In addition to entering Zerkit into the competition, Team 1816 was also privileged to be one of 41 teams eligible to vie for the Championship Chairman’s Award, the most prestigious award FIRST offers teams. All of these Regional Chairman’s Teams presented strong programs of outreach and enthusiasm for science, technology, math and engineering. The Green Machine did not take home the top chairman’s award, however the team members who went before the judging panel felt their presentation went over very well. Other FRC teams had done so much more for the community in their many years of existence that it was clear that a third year team like 1816 has more work that needs to be done. Rather then being discouraged though, the team is drawing inspiration from other FRC teams. The Green Machine didn’t even wait until getting back to Minnesota to start brainstorming ideas for next year’s outreach efforts!
Next Stop: Atlanta By Greg B.
April 12, 2008 -- The Green Machine was front-page news of the Edina Sun-Current weekly newspaper immediately following Team 1816's win of the Regional Chairman's Award at the inaugural FIRST Minnesota Robotics competition at the University of Minnesota March 27-29. Drawing in readers was a sizable picture of team drivers Andrew Peter, Remington Goodenough and Alistair McIntyre, to a story that overviewed the FIRST concept of inspiration and recognition of science and technology. It also announced that the team was indeed heading to the Championships in Atlanta April 17-19, 2008.
A mad scramble has ensued to ensure that everything will be ready for the Championship. Travel arrangements were made – even though it was spring break immediately following the Minnesota Regional -- with team members contacted by phone, email, text and even knocking on doors to see who could go. With thanks to Northwest Airlines group reservations, flights were booked and rebooked; hotel reservations secured; directions and maps printed, and meal possibilities sorted out. Team members also were busy scouting the competition that awaits us in the Galileo division. Andrew P., team scouting director, started organizing online scouting of other teams as soon as the championship divisions were announced. The Chairman’s Award subteam, fresh from their Minnesota triumph, started revving up for their next challenge: competing for the title of Championship Chairman’s Award. We expect they’ll be practicing on the plane, on the MARTA, and maybe in their sleep, all in preparation for the high level of sport and competition in Atlanta.
Edina Robotics Commended for Accomplishments at FIRST Minnesota Regional
April 9, 2008 - The Green Machine received a letter of congratulations regarding our performance at the inaugural FIRST Minnesota Regional Robotics competition from the University of Minnesota's Dean of the Institute of Technology, Steven L. Crouch. The University of Minnesota was the venue host for the competition and was among the sponsors of the FIRST Minnesota Regional Robotics Competition. The Institute of Technology is a college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics. Read the Full Letter.
Edina Robotics Wins the 2008 Regional Chairman’s Award By Greg B.
After three exciting days participating in the inaugural FIRST Minnesota Regional Robotics competition, events concluded with Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816-The Green Machine being awarded the Regional Chairman’s Award, FIRST’s most prestigious award.
The Regional Chairman’s Award celebrates the FIRST robotics team which, in the judges estimation, “best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST,” of which the goal is to inspire greater levels of respect and appreciation for science and technology. In the opinion of the judges at this year’s event, the team meets the criteria for the award. Team 1816 has inspired, helped and mentored other schools around the State of Minnesota to start new FRC teams; hosted seminars, including Minnesota Splash, for rookie teams, and has mentored younger students via FIRST Lego League teams in Edina. Inspiration is truly at the heart of this year’s presentation of the Regional Chairman’s Award to The Green Machine. Upon learning that The Green Machine started in the home kitchen of the team’s captain, students, teachers and others throughout Minnesota started thinking that the impossible may just be possible. With the dramatic increase of FIRST Robotics teams in Minnesota, growing from two teams in 2005 to 54 teams in 2008, it all but guaranteed there had to be a FIRST robotics regional competition in Minnesota this year.
By winning the Regional Chairman’s Award, Team 1816 is now invited to the FIRST Championships in Atlanta, GA, April 17-19, where the team will compete against 40 other Regional Chairman’s recipients for the National Chairman’s Award. The team thanks its corporate sponsors: Medtronic, Inc.; Ecolab, Honeywell, Wanner Engineering, and FWR Communication Networks, as well as the staff and administration of Edina High School, for all of the support, enthusiasm, and ongoing financial contributions. Our team’s success would not be possible without you!
The Green Machine Turns Its “Eyes” Toward The Minnesota FIRST Regional By Greg B.
March 20, 2008 -- Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816, The Green Machine is proud to have competed in the Wisconsin Regional for the third straight year in a row. After going through three intense days of competition, the team now is primed and ready for the upcoming Minnesota Regional, March 27 - 29. Although the team didn’t win, just participating in the 2008 competition, FIRST Overdrive was a valuable experience. It gave the team much-needed feedback on game strategy and trouble-shooting problems with the robot, “Zerkit.” Despite hours of frustration to fix broken parts, followed by a few disappointing, motionless matches, the team finished 5-3 in the preliminary rounds and advanced to the elimination rounds as part of an alliance with Team 2606-Rosemount Robotics, a rookie Minnesota team from Rosemount High School, and Team 74-Team CHAOS of Holland High School, Holland, MI. Even with the exit in the quarterfinals, The Green Machine emerged knowing they’d ironed out most every setback. With (hopefully) many of Zerkit’s problems being fixed, the team is looking forward to an exciting inaugural Minnesota FIRST Regional!
The Wisconsin Regional also was exciting for several other Minnesota teams. Congratulations to Team 2549-The Millerbots of Washburn High School, Minneapolis, for forming the 2008 winning alliance with Team 2062-C.O.R.E., Waukesha, Wisc., and Team 171-Extreme Engineering of Platteville, Wisc. Quite a start for a rookie team! On their way to victory though, this winning alliance had stiff competition from none other then last year’s winner: Team 2169-KingTec of Prior Lake High School, Savage, Minn, along with Team 93-New Apple Corps, Appleton, Wisc., and Team 1652-The Robot Mafia, Pleasant Prairie, Wisc. Congratulations to all and The Green Machine looks forward to seeing many of these teams again here at Williams Arena for the Minnesota Regional!
The Green Machine Prepares for the Wisconsin Regional By Greg B.
March 9, 2008 -- With a strenuous yet exciting build season behind them, Team 1816, “The Green Machine,” looks forward to competing in their first FIRST Robotics Regional competition of the 2008 season. From March 13th to 15th, Green Machine members will be in Milwaukee at the U.S. Cellular Arena participating in the Wisconsin Regional. With more than 60 teams from all over the region and as far away as Honolulu, Hawaii, the regional will be a good test of the team’s robot. Practice rounds begin on Thursday; the team will take part in qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday morning, with elimination matches commencing and concluding on Saturday afternoon. Catch The Green Machine in action via webcast, http://www.ustream.tv/channel/first-wisconsin-regional-2008. Read More...
Tech Fest ’08 Offers Glimpse into Engineering’s Future By Sophie B.
March 4, 2008 – The future of engineering was on full display at Tech Fest ’08, with robotic exhibits and demonstrations appealing to all ages and interests. Not only did Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816, The Green Machine, give visitors to The Works a full demonstration of the operation and ramp-lifting capabilities of the 2007 robot, but Edina FIRST Lego League teams also showed off their robots and playing field. Sponsored by The Works, the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Alumni Society and the Society of Women Engineers, this year’s National Engineers Week event focused on mechanical engineering. The Works is a hands-on museum of science and engineering located on the third floor of the Edina Community Center. Visit The Works for information on 2008 robotics summer camps.