It’s time to be inspired! Don’t miss this chance to learn about this FIRST Robotics Challenge high school team and how these students - our future leaders! - not only competed in a STEM challenge but did so while dealing with the multiple challenges of COVID.
Bishop-Wisecarver has been a proud sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Challenge program for 14 years donating supplies, money, mentoring, and encouragement at a national and regional level. In 2021, we sponsored five local teams and we will highlight each one in the coming months. Take a few minutes to read and cheer on these students, not just for FIRST, but for all that is ahead of them.
It’s time to be inspired! Don’t miss this chance to learn about this FIRST Robotics Challenge high school team and how these students - our future leaders! - not only competed in a STEM challenge but did so while dealing with the multiple challenges of COVID.
Bishop-Wisecarver has been a proud sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Challenge program for 14 years donating supplies, money, mentoring, and encouragement at a national and regional level. In 2021, we sponsored five local teams. Take a few minutes to read and cheer on these students, not just for FIRST, but for all that is ahead of them.
Team: Boba Bots, Team 253
School: Mills High School, Millbrae, Calif.
Team Member Interviewed: Madeline Yee, 11th grade, 2 years on the team and Assistant Construction Lead
Q: What games or challenges did your team participate in for the 2021 season?
A: During the season, we participated in both the Innovation Design Challenge and Game Design Challenge.
Q: What additional activities did your team participate in outside of the specific FIRST competition?
A: During our off-season, we participated in the virtual FRC event, Beach Blitz, where we attended workshops in groups and played in the FRC history Trivia Night. We also participated in CalGames and won the Imagery Award!
Q: What are some of the ways your team has incorporated the Core Values of the FIRST program in this unusual COVID season?
A:
Discovery: We found new ways to be resourceful by using Twitch streams and guest speakers catered to helping our objectives to our best advantage in completing both challenges.
Innovation: Regarding the Game Design Challenge, an obstacle we encountered was designing our game so that it would appeal to a diverse spectrum of robots. We overcame this issue by adding more components that are "rookie-friendly" to our game, which will ensure that all teams--from rookies to veterans--can participate.
Impact: In hopes of helping to create a society in which people regularly exercise and are leading healthy lifestyles, we developed a fitness app and band for our Innovation challenge this year.
Inclusion: During the season, despite it being very different from other seasons, we still embraced the ideas and presence of everyone. We also respect all of our teammates no matter age, gender, sexual orientation, or race, allowing us to promote a diverse and inclusive community.
Teamwork: Initially, within the Game Design Challenge team, we planned to break off into sub-teams to work on designing the game, dividing the groups by titles such as "autonomous period team" and "game elements team." However, we soon realized it would be much more advantageous and uncomplicated if the Game Design team worked together rather than in those small teams.
Fun: Our team had at least two dedicated team-building meetings during the off and on-season, where members interacted together by playing virtual games such as Minecraft, or by watching movies. Additionally, we do frequent shout-outs and have a "Boba Bot of the Month" (member of the month) to acknowledge each other and commemorate the hard work done by our members.
Q: What is your favorite memory from being on the FIRST team this year?
A: A personal favorite memory from the 2020-2021 FIRST Season was during build season, where I took part in the group that worked on the Game Design Challenge. During that period, we presented our game to another team, 4904, receiving feedback in addition to hearing about their game. I found this the most rewarding and memorable as not only were we interacting with other members in FIRST (as you usually would during competitions), but we were presenting our almost-final version of the game that took weeks of collaboration and considerations to create.
You can learn more about the Boba Bots here https://www.bobabots253.org/ and follow them on Twitter @bobabots253.
Read more about the FIRST Robotics Challenge in our press release that includes this quote from Bishop-Wisecarver President, Pamela Kan:
“One of the core values of the FIRST program is innovation and these students have shown this in incredible ways during this most challenging year. Their creativity and persistence in solving problems, even when they couldn’t meet in person, didn’t have normal access to their tools or classrooms, and had to meet virtually, is inspiring for all of us. FIRST has always been about far more than the actual competition and we continue to be proud of our sponsorship of this organization and the students who show us all what perseverance and teamwork look like every day.”
Team: Project 212, Team 7137
School: Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord, Calif.
Advisor: Joseph Alvarico
Team Member Interviewed: Sara Venegas, 9th grade, first year on the robotics team
Q: What games or challenges did your team participate in this year?
A: We participated in the Game Design Challenge. We designed a fun game called Security Obscurity in which two alliances were hired by the “FIRST Community Bank” to test the security system and evaluate how many valuables could be stolen before the police arrive. Each alliance races to unlock the vault doors and collect as many valuables as possible and store them into the getaway vehicle. Near the end of the match, robots close the getaway vehicle doors and gather at the rendezvous point to escape.
Q: What additional activities did your team participate in outside of the specific FIRST competition?
A: We learned how to program Arduino and create basic circuits. We also learned to 3D model in Onshape. This was fun! We also helped clean out the old woodshop, which has not been used for almost a decade and will become another engineering lab for the growing Engineering Pathway program at our school.
Q: What are some of the ways your team has incorporated the Core Values of the FIRST program in this unusual COVID season?
A:
○ Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
○ Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
○ Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
○ Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
○ Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
○ Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
The team learned new skills through exploration. Our team purchased Arduino kits, and we learned how to program them primarily by following tutorials. New members like me learned 3D modeling with the help of team members and mentors who know how to use it already. In order to finish the Game Design Challenge, we used the DMAIC Engineering Design Process and included everyone's creative ideas to make a fun and challenging new game.
Q: What is your favorite memory from being on the FIRST team this year?
A: While being in the FIRST team this year, I got to meet some awesome people - students who share the same passion that I have for engineering. I learned a lot of new things and had fun doing it.
You can follow Project 212 at https://www.facebook.com/project212yvhsrobotics/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CqpXJBneb/.
Read more about the FIRST Robotics Challenge in our press release that includes this quote from Bishop-Wisecarver President, Pamela Kan:
“One of the core values of the FIRST program is innovation and these students have shown this in incredible ways during this most challenging year. Their creativity and persistence in solving problems, even when they couldn’t meet in person, didn’t have normal access to their tools or classrooms, and had to meet virtually, is inspiring for all of us. FIRST has always been about far more than the actual competition and we continue to be proud of our sponsorship of this organization and the students who show us all what perseverance and teamwork look like every day.”
