Hello,
We hope you are doing well. Although Minnesota is shut down in many ways because of the pandemic, “The Green Machine” continues to work together online. Our subteams are moving forward, with ideas for a new competition pit, new ways to write our robot-software, and preparations to resume work on our swerve drive “showbot”.
We also are busy creating, hosting, and providing remote/virtual outreach events while COVID-19 restrictions keep us firmly safe-at-home. Here’s an overview of upcoming and recent events and activities:
- In mid-December, just before the winter holidays, 16 team members and mentors participated in the “24 Hours of STEM” online event. This event features FIRST teams and speakers from around the world, and offers activities and educational events for other FIRST teams. Our team members presented on topics ranging from robot vision to making a smooth transition from the FTC to the FRC program. We also were placed in charge of producing and running the event’s webstream for a three-hour block on Saturday, Dec. 19 of the event. Accepting and handing off the steam seamlessly was our goal!
- In November, we ran an online leadership “bootcamp” for students on FIRST Robotics teams in St. Paul Public Schools. We developed a curriculum and a format to help guide students in creating their own team presentations.
- In late summer and early fall, we conducted zoom meetings with our elected officials, school administration and 1816 sponsors. These meetings helped us gain access to our build spaces within Edina High School, while our meetings with team sponsors helped us successfully raise funding to cover season participation fees and to (hopefully) build a robot!
Kickoff for the 2021 Season was also held via Zoom in early January! The pandemic has presented new ways for us to participate in FIRST Competitions. Three new online challenges, each with its own set of rules and procedures, were unveiled at the online kickoff event.
Rather than stick with our usual subteams, team members were able to select which of the three challenges appealed most, whether the Innovation Challenge, the Game Design Challenge, and the INFINITE RECHARGE@Home Challenge.