This week, the RHS Robotics Team (The “RoboRiders”) will proudly make their rookie appearance at the Seattle Cascade Regional finals of the FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) — usfirst.org — is an international program with the mission to
inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
This organization, with recognition from everyone from President Obama to will.i.am, sponsors robotics competitions for kids from ages 6-18 in what its founder Dean Kamen calls the “Olympics of the Mind.” Using the model of sports in popular culture, Dean wants to “transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.” Winners qualify for about $14 million in available college scholarships.
Our RoughRider roboticists have been doing wonderful work the past two months on this project. Their robot is designed to play basketball, gathering and shooting foam balls on a special court, in competition and cooperation with 95 other robot teams. Robots, designed and built by the students, are motorized and controlled remotely by custom hardware and software. It’s pretty amazing engineering stuff, all things considered.
Coaches Davidson, Ruff, and Judson Miller would like to invite you all to come see the competition. It’s free, open to the public, and hugely exciting and energetic. The team would love to have your support there, at the CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) Event Center. Saturday morning from 9-12 is the best time to see the action.
Hope to see you there!
RooseveltCS.org 