Infinite Recharge at Home, Gallium Event Skills Winner, Covid Pods
The Green Machine’s 16th season took place in its entirety during the global coronavirus pandemic. All events and activities that could happen remotely shifted online to video calls. Hands-on robot fabrication and programming continued in small workgroups, known as Covid Pods.
Pandemic-related equipment, most notably production of face-shields and 3D printing of visors and ear savers, consumed much of the Team’s time during the summer and fall of 2020. The Team was part of the Minnesota Fighting Covid coalition, run by FRC Team 2052-Knightkrawler, a group effort that produced upwards of 50,000 pieces for first responders and others in need. Early pandemic outreach efforts were both inward to the Team, with graduating seniors sharing their FRC knowledge, as well as outward via Zoom. The online appearances ranged from 24 Hours of STEM, with FRC Team 3132-Thunder Down Under, Australia; outreach planning tailored to specific communities with FRC 7539-Elev8, India; creating sustainable STEM programming with FRC Team 2468-Appreciate, as well as official FIRST requests for assistance with promoting changes in the Chairman’s Award submission. Advocacy for STEM continued, with shifts to online by the FIRST National Advocacy Conference, as well as our own Minnesota STEM Advocacy Day.
FIRST Robotics Competition maintained interest and competition by offering teams up to three online challenges to complete. The Green Machine divided into three project teams, one each to work on the Innovation Challenge (the Virtual Fitness System used a wii-like device to inspire more active fitness); the Game Design Challenge (Matrix Mastery, a renewable energy game which challenged teams to transport, build, and repair the energy grid), and the Infinite Recharge at Home robot-skills and judged submission challenges. All Team members were engaged in at least one challenge, with a third of the team engaged in more than one challenge.
The Team won the Gallium Event for its robot skills, earned the Quality Award for the robustness of its robot design, manufacture, and competition capabilities, as well as qualified on points for the Minnesota High School League’s State Tournament-the At Home version. Other award highlights include a Dean’s List Finalist (Ian M) and Volunteer of the Year (Rachel Earl, alum and Team 1816 mentor).
During the 2021 At Home season, the Team also reached out to experts in robot swerve drive to develop our first-ever functioning swerve drive robot. The Green Machine is looking forward to potentially bringing a swerve-drive robot to competitions in 2022!