Vt. Robotics Team Kick-Off Saturday

This Saturday, Jan. 7, the Vermont Robotics Team will host its annual kick-off at the conference room at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph beginning at 9:30 a.m. From 10-11:30 a.m., the group will view the long-awaited presentation of this year’s challenging task via NASA broadcast TV.

Following a brief brown bag lunch, there will be a strategizing session to decide how best to meet the challenge. The group will adjourn at 2:30 p.m., only to meet again the following day at Vermont Technical College.

From 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, the group can be found in Room 137 of Morrill Hall at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center. After deciding on a final plan, the group will have until February 21 to fabricate a robot capable of meeting the challenge. These robots usually weigh close to the 130 lb. weight limit and are close to 3 ft. X 3 ft. X 5 ft. in size. They usually must be programmed to perform some part of the task autonomously, while other components will be met with humans at the controls.

In past years the challenges have included some combination of placing multi sized balls into four or five-foot high goals, stacking large plastic bins, hanging "tetras" from a goal, being in two places at one time, climbing steps or ramps, and hanging from a bar eight feet off the ground. Of course, all of this must be accomplished while working in partnership with other teams whom the participants have never seen before, at the same time one is playing defense!

This event is sponsored under the auspices of F.I.R.S.T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The Vermont Team is the only team in the entire state, participating with over 1,000 teams worldwide, and it is the fifth year that the team has competed. The team is proudly sponsored by Vermont Technical College, Norwich University, Mascoma Savings Bank, Chittenden Bank, AADCO, Applied Research, CPOW, Northern Life, SORO Systems, The Vermont Country Store, Richberg Builders, Farm All Fix, Ahnert Family Excavating, and the Randolph, Northfield and Montpelier Rotary Clubs, as well a number of local machinists and engineers who donate many hours of their time to work with the students.

While most of the team is comprised of high school students, it is open to individuals from middle school on up. College students and adults are encouraged to join as well. The team will meet at VTC every Saturday and Sunday as well, as on a few weeknights for the next six weeks.

To find out more about the Vermont Robotics Team, visit www.thegreenteam885.org or go to the FIRST website at www.usfirst.org. If you would like to view the webcast on Saturday to see the challenge, go to http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2006_kickoff.php. To find out how you can make a donation to the team call Mary at 234-5505.

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