After more than a year of being apart, we found that we as Team 1816 needed a way to come together as an effective, well-functioning team. Three groups were created, combining rookies and veterans to work together while building robots over the summer. The 2014 FRC game Aerial Assist was transformed into Cargo Collaboration, “to replicate what a regular robotics build season would be like,” said Skylar, a 2022-season rookie. From a game reveal, through design, and fabrication, this small group experience allows team members to make connections with other team members and mentors. We began “learning individually with each rookie in hopes to create a cohesive unit of a team”, Team Captain Ian said.
By all accounts, it’s working! Rookie Kaylie C. finds herself doing a compare/contrast between her experiences with FIRST Tech Challenge and now with FIRST Robotics Competition. “From FTC to FRC there’s a huge difference in (robot) parts and now I know how to use some of them and where to find them,” she said.
Cargo Collaboration is continuing through the fall months in preparation for the January 8, 2022 FRC Kickoff event, where we will learn the details involved with “RAPID REACT,” a transportation-themed game.
—–by Venna W.