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The “Cyberhawks”
http://www.arrowheadrobotics.org/
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
- Dean Kamen, Founder
Arrowhead Robotics (FRC Team 706) is a robotics team located in Hartland, Wisconsin. We joined the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition during the 2000-2001 school year.The team participates in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition. The team is composed of students and teachers from Arrowhead High School as well as parents and engineers from local companies. Students work together to design, build, and compete with a robot in the FIRST robotics competitions. Engineers, teachers, and other professionals volunteer their time and mentor the students.Each team is given 6 weeks to design, build, and program a robot to compete with and against other high school teams at a 3-day regional event. The challenge is different each year, but our skills continue to grow as our team gains experience.
After the robot is built, it is brought to regional competitions. Random alliances of teams compete in practice and qualifying rounds. Teams are ranked by the amount of rounds won and their opponents loosing score. The top 8 teams pick 2 other teams to join them in finals. Finals are comprised of quarter, semi and the final events. As well as being awarded first or second place. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Enjoyment and learning are primary. Winning means building partnerships that last. National competition is held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through collaboration with peers and engineering mentors, students will soon realize that the "thrill" experienced by using their brains will equal if not better the excitement of traditional sports.
The game changes from year to year, so students must tackle different ideas and create new solutions. The time allotted to design and build a robot is limited to six weeks, known as build season. During this period, team members meet almost daily either after school and evenings. Obviously such a large time commitment requires dedication and determination. Students must learn how to manage time and complete tasks according to a schedule while developing new and innovative ideas. These aspects are split up into build groups, each with a group leader. Build groups may include:
Engineering Teams:
Design – all team members:
- Develop strategy to play the game
- Develop a design of a robot based on the pre-determined strategy that abides by the constraints of the competition
- Develop designs of the subsystems required
- Develop backup designs .
- Once a comprehensive design is developed, an inventory of parts needed and ordered.
- Uses Computer Aided Design software (Autodesk Inventor) to create an accurate computer model of the robot before it is built.
Frame / Drivetrain:
- In charge of building the frame of the robot, which supports all other components. Decides on gear ratio, type of motors, shifting abilities, etc and creates the mechanisms which give the robot mobillity.
Electronics:
- Powers the electrical components of the robot, including the control board, radio, motors, speed controllers, etc.
Pneumatics:
- Controls the functions of the robot through the controlled use of pressurized air.
Programming:
- Programs the code that controls functions of the robot, including autonomous mode.
Documentation Teams
- Organize and catalog all media for team use when necessary
- Record and keep inventories of parts and materials for the team
- Maintain top-down documentation of team-related information, including designs, group documents, part lists, special parts, vendors, etc.Maintain records of current season design, including the design as well as changes and reasons for them
Animation Team:
Web Team:
- Creates a website for the team in accordance with the Web Design Award Competition
Photography / Videography:
- Visual documentation of the build season and team activity through pictures and video
Other Teams
Drive Team - Driver, Controller, Human Player, Coach:
- Ample time must be given for the drive team to practice and test the robot
- Coordinate with other alliance partners to determine strategy
- Communicate with Scouting to determine different and best strategies
Pit Crew:
- Find design components that need improvement
- Assure that the robot meets all FIRST robot requirements (Safety, Weight, etc)
- Repair damage and maintain the robot
Strategy - Head Scout, Scouts:
- Determine the overall strategy for the game
- Investigate and record other team's robot and strategy
- Communicate with The Drive Team to determine different strategies
Marketing:
Internal Fundraising
- Brainstorm and research fundraising ideas
- Organize and carry out fundraisers approved by the team
- Communicate with Treasurer and necessary persons to keep track of finance
- Utilize presentations made by the PR Group to aid with fundraisers
External Fundraising
- Look for corporate giving campaigns
- Research businesses for potential sponsorships
- Utilize presentations made by the PR Group to aid with fundraisers
- Communicate with IPEI liaison and necessary persons to keep track of finance
Public Relations
- Make all necessary WIHS announcements regarding the team
- Increase community awareness of the team through local newspapers or other publications and media. Accept and write articles regarding the team for submission to newspapers
- Create fliers, posters, etc. to increase school awareness
- Organize public demonstrations of the robot
- Create presentations for team use
- Organize freebies (pins, buttons, etc.) for handing out at competitions
Advisor: Paul Zelinger zelinger@ahs.k12.wi.us
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