Here’s the plan for build sessions this season. We will meet Monday through Thursday after school from 3:20 to 9:00 p.m. We may quit earlier some evenings based on supplies or other issues that make us unproductive. Boys basketball players will break for practice from 5 to 6:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays and 3:20 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Girls basketball players will do the reverse. Cheer team members will break for their practices on Wednesdays (3:20 to 5:00). Generally we will break for dinner at 5:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and at 6:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Fridays, we’ll vary depending on the basketball schedule. When there are home games we will meet from 3:20 until game time. When there are away games, those of us not traveling will meet from 3:20 to 10:00 p.m. Younger members of the team can plan to go home after dinner.
As we get closer to stop build (February 20) we will work later, and on February 20 we will, in accord with tradition, work until 11:59:59.
This year the FIRST world championship events are split between two locations–Houston and Detroit. We didn’t make it this year (there is always next season), but we are looking into a trip to the event so we can attend some of the many conference sessions that are a part of Worlds (and catch a few matches). We’ll also toss in a college visit or two if we can.
Here is a link to FIM’s information about the Detroit World event: http://www.firstinmichigan.org/events/eventInfo.php?id=126&program=frc. The conference schedule is here: https://www.firstchampionship.org/full-schedule?field_program_tid%5B%5D=66&field_event_location_schedule_tid=32&field_time3_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_time3_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&items_per_page=25
We invite you to attend the 2nd Annual bIrobot Movie Festival where we feature films that feature robots. Before the films, the bIrobot Team will take to the stage to explain what FIRST is all about, demonstrate their robots and answer questions. This year we will also display our award winning pit facade and other materials that we used to promote Beaver Island at our events this season.
Our feature films this year are Wall-e (featuring the robot Wall-e and his pals) at 3:00 p.m. and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (featuring Marvin the Paranoid Android) at 7:00. If you are only interested in the team presentation, please come for that and feel free to leave before the movie starts. The presentations will happen ahead of each of the films and will last about 20 minutes.
Ah. The day the bIrobot and all other FRC teams wait for all year. Kickoff! The start of build season. No sleeping until February 19 at 11:59 p.m. If you want to join in the announcement you can check with us about attending our event or visit the FIRST website.
Again this year the FIRST world championship events are split between two locations–Houston and Detroit. We qualified for the world championships in St. Louis in 2016 (when they were still a single event). We worked hard to make it back to Worlds this year, but we did not make it. But, with the event nearby in Detroit you still might want to attend to see the competition as well as to attend some of the many conference sessions and to visit the exhibits.
Here is a link to information about the Detroit World event: https://www.firstchampionship.org/detroit-home. We attended the event last year because there are many useful conference sessions at Worlds. (We snuck into watch a few matches, too.) The FIRST world event is more exciting than any other high school competitive event we know about. If you can make it there even for a day, we encourage you to go. It’s all free for general attendance at the matches and for all conference events.
Join us for a 2020 season kick-off event in the robot lab at BICS. We’ll watch the kick-off show live streamed for FIRST HQ and then begin work on planning our 2020 robot. We’ll wrap things up with a traditional pizza party at 1:00 p.m.
If you aren’t able to join us at BICS, you can watch the Kick-off live from FIRST HQ here: https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1747660/85b43e41-770e-4585-86bf-f0a69d289791
FIRST HAS CANCELLED THIS YEAR’S CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT IN DETROIT.
Again this year the FIRST world championship events are split between two locations–Houston and Detroit. We qualified for the world championships in St. Louis in 2016 (when they were still a single event) and have attended the Detroit Championships as a guest of Consumers Energy after winning a state-wide Pit Display comeptition. We will work hard this year to return as a competitor in the event.
Here is a link to information about the Detroit World event: https://www.firstchampionship.org/detroit-home. The FIRST world event is more exciting than any other high school competitive event we know about. In addition to competition events for all four FIRST Leagues (FLL Jr., FLL, FTC and FRC), you can visit the teams in their pits and attend a full schedule of conference sessions that cover a broad range of topics of interest to students, parents and mentors that cover a variety of robotics and other topics. If you can make it there even for a day, we encourage you to go. It’s all free for general attendance at the matches and for all conference events.
Join us for a 2022 season kick-off event in the robot lab at BICS. We’ll watch the kick-off show live streamed for FIRST HQ and then begin work on planning our 2022 robot. We’ll wrap things up with a traditional pizza party at 1:30 p.m.
If you aren’t able to join us at BICS, you can join us by Zoom:
This year, FIRST® teams will explore the future of transportation. From the shipment of packages in rural and urban areas, to disaster relief delivery and high-tech air transit, teams will re-imagine faster, more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable transportation innovations that better connect and grow communities and economies around the world. Teams will address today’s global challenges related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9, focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. By encouraging FIRST participants to think about future transportation sustainability, we’re also empowering them to be the next generation of leaders and innovators, tackling the world’s toughest challenges.
Join us for a 2023 season kick-off event in the robot lab at BICS. We’ll watch the kick-off show live streamed for FIRST HQ and then begin work on planning our 2022 robot. We’ll wrap things up with a traditional pizza party at about 1:30 p.m. over at the BIC Center.
If you aren’t able to join us at BICS, you can join on our Discord server or on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87601760989?pwd=bzdiaFJOMWF5SjE3b3dYVUJuT3VrUT09
Meeting ID: 876 0176 0989 | Passcode: [our team numner]| One tap mobile: +13126266799,,87601760989# or +13092053325,,87601760989#
This year, in a game called CHARGED UPSM presented by Haas, FIRST® Robotics Competition teams will prepare for a challenge that is fully charged to inspire your team to see the potential of energy storage in a new light. Watch the season kickoff January 7, 2023 for the game reveal.
From the machines that move us to the food that sustains us to the wireless technologies that connect us, energy plays an essential role in keeping our world running. During our 2022-2023 robotics season, FIRST® ENERGIZE℠ presented by Qualcomm, FIRST teams across our programs will reimagine the future of sustainable energy and power their ideas forward.
To empower young people to be leaders and innovators, this year’s energy theme addresses global challenges related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 — focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
This is the moment to get energized to innovate.
Here’s a short video from Haas that explains how skills FIRST team members learn translate to work at Haas and other companies that offer great jobs and career opportunities.
Join us for a 2024 season kick-off event in the robot lab at BICS. We’ll watch the kick-off show live streamed for FIRST HQ and then begin work on planning our 2022 robot. We’ll wrap things up with a traditional pizza party at about 1:30 p.m. over at the BIC Center.
If you aren’t able to join us at BICS, you can join on our Discord server or on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87601760989?pwd=bzdiaFJOMWF5SjE3b3dYVUJuT3VrUT09
Meeting ID: 876 0176 0989 | Passcode: [our team number]| One tap mobile: +13126266799,,87601760989# or +13092053325,,87601760989#
This year, the theme of the competition is CRESCENDO presented by Haas. FIRST® Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills and creative power to entertain and move the world.
Watch the kickoff celebration and debut of CRESCENDO, January 6 on FIRSTtv. Sign up now for a tune-in reminder
Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us. During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm, we will celebrate the roles our STEM skills play in the arts and design and build a world of endless possibilities.
The future is yours to create.
