It's so crazy it just might work!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by: Kate Adams
Near North Robotics team member Anthony Caliciuri and Captain Emily Haws set for FIRST's ULTIMATE ASCENT.Facing great challenges this year the Near North Robotics team didn’t give up instead they held tight to their motto ‘Tam insulsum est ut fortasse expediat’ (It's so crazy it just might work!) and did what they do best -analyze a situation and come up a wining solution.
With a labour dispute between public school teachers and the province which in turn has resulted in the suspension of extracurricular activities, team 1305 applied FIRST game strategy, which they have perfected over the last 13 years, and reached out to community partner Nipissing University formed an alliance that would see the team housed at the university, and thus setting the stage for what promises to be a very exciting season.
During a news conference Tuesday the team unveiled this year’s robot and details for the FIRST robotics challenge “ULTIMATE ASCENT”.
Captain Emily Haws explains that the game this year will see two alliances of three teams compete on a 27-by-54-foot field, attempting to earn points by scoring Frisbees into the four different types of goals, which vary in height, scoring accuracy and point value.
During the last 30 seconds of the match, robots must climb up a pyramid, scoring different point values for the level achieved. Communication, strategy, programming, technical skill, quick thinking and perseverance are major factors in the game.
The team is off to their first competition March 21st in Waterloo and are looking to qualify for the World Championships in St. Louis this April.
Full details are contained in the news release below.
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Yes, the Near North Student Robotics Initiative (NNSRI), FIRST Team 1305, Ice Cubed is getting ready to ascend! This dynamic group of students will be taking their newest 2013 robot to two Ontario competitions this March, and one in Calgary in April. These competitions are part of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) international robotics competition. The winners of each regional event are invited to St. Louis for the World Championships in April. NNSRI has qualified for the World Championships for the past nine years and is looking forward to its tenth year!
NNSRI is celebrating its thirteenth year and continuing with dedicated efforts to promote science, technology and positive leadership. They encourage students to participate in the life changing experiences offered through FIRST competitions. The team, in the FIRST tradition, is constantly looking for new recruits and new challenges. NNSRI is comprised of students from several area schools. The team is open to all students of the Near North District School Board.
This year’s FIRST robotics challenge is “ULTIMATE ASCENT”. Two alliances of three teams will compete on a 27-by-54-foot field, attempting to earn points by scoring Frisbees into the four different types of goals, which vary in height, scoring accuracy and point value. During the last 30 seconds of the match, robots must climb up a pyramid, scoring different point values for the level achieved. Communication, strategy, programming, technical skill, quick thinking and perseverance are major factors in the game.
NNSRI also maintains a website, www.team1305.org, business plan, promotional videos, animations and documentation binders. Teamwork, community, promotion of science and technology, technical expertise, communication and entrepreneurship are crucial to the success of the team.
Last season, NNSRI brought home the Engineering Inspiration award from the Greater Toronto West regional, qualifying the team for the World Championship event in St. Louis, Missouri. This award celebrates outstanding success in promoting engineering and engineers within the team’s schools and community. At the Waterloo Regional, NNSRI earned the Spirit award, the robot qualified for the quarterfinals, and team member, Alex Wilcox, was selected for the very prestigious Dean’s List Award.
In 2012, NNSRI continued their participation in the VEX robotics competition, again having four teams from four local area secondary schools: Widdifield SS, West Ferris SS, Chippewa ISS and Northern SS. They have also expanded in the world of LEGO Mindstorms NXT robotics with the Junior FIRST LEGO League, for children from ages 5-8, and the LEGO Robotics Club, which is a club not affiliated with FIRST but is run by NNSRI to give 8-12 year olds a basis in LEGO Mindstorms NXT robotics. This is in preparation for FIRST LEGO League the following year.
NNSRI is proud to represent the Near North community. The team wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the many sponsors and mentors who make this amazing educational and multidisciplinary activity possible for area students.
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