In a simultaneous announcement January 7th, all robotics teams throughout the world learned about the basketball task dubbed “Rebound Rumble.” Our Culver City High School team members are now working against the ticking clock to build a basketball playing robot in six weeks as talented as Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal. Their robot will get its first test against other teams at the San Diego regional competition of FIRST Robotics in March 2012.
“Every year comes with a new challenge,“ explained Arielle Singer, captain of the Culver City High School FIRST Robotics team 702. “This year we get to implement our new mechanum wheel drive allowing the robot to move in multiple directions.” She continued, “We are looking forward to this build season and hoping to make it to the FIRST Robotics championship later this year in St. Louis.”
Alex Davis, a math teacher at Culver City High School and the Robotics team coach for the last six years has witnessed many teams and challenges. Asserts Davis, “I think this year’s game is one that we have a really good idea of what we are doing and I expect us to be very successful in the upcoming competition.”
The non-profit FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) promotes gracious professionalism asking their teams to cooperate and collaborate. Fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. FIRST also teaches youth Coopertition, displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.
The Culver City High School FIRST Robotics Team 702 needs engineers and professionals in related fields to mentor the students. They also need donations of power tools, supplies and money. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or in donating to the Robotics team, please send an email to [email protected]
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