January 26, 2010

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Youth Catch Robotic Fever
Fairwood's 'Little Lost Robots'
Participate in First Competition

Pictured above are the "Little Lost Robot" team members. Back Row: Edson Smith, Nick Stafford, Kempton Snyder, Adam Willetts. Front Row: Ryan Hess, Chris Madden, and Jack Kelly

Fairwood neighbor Jim Smith has had a love for robotics for quite some time. When his son hit middle school, he decided to share that interest. That love multiplied, and the result was the formation of a team of young "engineers." They recently competed at their first robotics contest, where they did very well, indeed.

Smith spent some time researching organizations that also shared this interest and found a group that would foster important values and add a little competition to the mix. The United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) offered programs, support, local meetings and competitions to share technologies with others.

This is a practice run for the team (#3721).  The task for the robot was to release, pick up, and shoot balls into one of 3 goals.  Three team members participated in each match. The driver, (Kempton), an operator to shoot the balls, (John, Jack, and Nick) and one coach (Edson). Team Little Lost Robot was the top point earner in 2 out of their 5 matches.

To participate in their first competition, Smith needed a team of 3-10 kids and about $1,000 to register and pay for the equipment necessary to compete. Kids need not be from the same school to participate, but the first "Lost Little Robot" Team included seven guys, grades 7-8, from Northwood Middle School.

The Lost Little Robot team name was inspired by a quote from Isaac Asimov's book I-Robot:
"I do not fear computers; I fear the lack of them."

The players were focused on preparing their first competition, where the kids were tasked to construct a robot over a six-week period, culminating with First Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Championships at Bellevue High School on December 13.

Game Format

• Matches are played in a 12 foot by 12 foot field
• Alliances of robots compete against each other for score
• Use of sensors, programming, mechanical engineering principles and team work
• Autonomous and teleoperated phases of play
• Uneven surfaces, manipulation of objects and navigation

Results Impressive The team members did very well at their first competition, placing 19th out of 31 team entries that included kids ages 11-18. Additionally, Little Lost Robot won the "FTC Think Award" for the best Engineering Notebook. "The team’s Engineering Notebook details the ‘design and build’ stage of the team’s robot.  Journal entries include the steps, brainstorms, designs, re-designs, successes, and those ‘interesting moments’ when things weren’t going as planned," said Smith.

Work Continues
After the first successful competition, the group continues to meet and prepare for their next competition in March. They also are actively sharing their love for robotics, with demonstrations at Fairwood and Ridgewood elementaries, and they will participate in many meetings, event and activities in the Puget Sound area.

Behind every good team is the support of friends and family.

About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while also motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge for high school students, FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old, and Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.  To learn more about FTC, please see the FIRST WA website at:  www.firstwa.org.

To see the Little Lost Robot Blog, CLICK HERE.

To contact the team coach Jim Smith, reach him at Jim@smith.net.   The team is raising funds by selling Make Magazine subscriptions. For more information, neighbors are welcome to contact Smith.