Edina Robotics, The Green Machine, rolled home from FIRST Robotics’ Wisconsin Regional Competition this weekend bearing the DaimlerChrysler Team Spirit Award which “celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork.” Edina Robotics Team 1816, a team of Edina High School, has been instrumental in FIRST’s huge expansion in Minnesota this year, increasing the number of FIRSTteams from two last year to 16 teams competing from the state this year. The team’s green RoboRag (our version of the Homer Hanky) became the “must-have” marketing trinket of the competition. FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” The Green Machine was a mighty competitor at the regional meet held in Milwaukee March 8-10, emerging as the third seed in the preliminary competition and advancing to the semifinals. Unfortunately, the team’s robot blew out its transmission during the semifinal rounds. The team will compete again in Atlanta at the FIRST Championship Competition April 12-14. At that time, the team will also exhibit its work in the FIRST Fuel Cell Pilot Program. Of the 1,300 FIRST teams around the world, the Edina team was one of 30 teams selected for this special challenge.
“It was exciting to see the robot we created actually perform in competition,” says Chris Miller, team co-captain. “We plan to use our FIRST-granted work hours to weld our transmission so the gears won’t fall out in Atlanta!”
The team thanks all its sponsors, contributors, and supporters. Top sponsors this year were Honeywell, Medtronic, NASA, The Edina Education Fund, and Ecolab.
The Green Machine also extends congratulations and best wishes to fellow Minnesota Team 2169 Prior Lake High School, Savage, Minn.
The Green Machine also extends congratulations and best wishes to fellow Minnesota Team 2169 Prior Lake High School, Savage, Minn., which emerged as Wisconsin Regional Champions along with its alliance partners Team 537, Sussex, WI, and Team 2194, Fond du Lac, WI. Woodbury Math & Science Academy Team 2175, Woodbury, MN, was awarded the “Highest Rookie Seed,” finishing 16th in preliminary competition and participating in the final championship match. In all, five Minnesota teams participated in the semi-final and final matches, including the Green Machine’s own alliance partner Team 2129 Ultraviolet, Southwest High School, Minneapolis, and White Bear Lake’s Team 2207 Beartronics.