By Sean M. Messenger
For The Reporter
The Tahoma Robotics Club, Bear Metal, traveled to Portland, Ore. to compete in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Regional Challenge among more than fifty schools and teams the weekend of March 5 through 7 . After six weeks of building the massive 120-pound, 5-foot tall robot, this became the first of two culminations of their project.
The first day was practices. You could wheel your robot onto the field and get a few games in or miss them in order to improve, fix or change a robot without any penalty. They opted to improve some well-needed aspects. There were several points that were either not functioning after being shipped or they had new items yet to be added. In short, the first day proved problematic, as the club did not get a single effective practice match. Mr. (Darren) Collins, the club adviser, said towards the end of Thursday, “I’m not worried, we will be ready tomorrow morning.”
The second day, Friday, was the beginning of seeding, or qualification rounds. Bear Metal had some malfunctions in their first match, but came around for the other six rounds after making numerous improvements. Bear Metal ended up seeded 14th and advanced to quarterfinals.
At quarterfinals, Bear Metal absolutely excelled. They had no glitches, no errors and flawless driving. This was quite an improvement, and no small feat itself. Paired with their teammates, they swept through the quarterfinals and semifinals and on to finals. Facing their rivals, Issaquah Robotics Society (IRS) and Aviation High (Skunkworks), Bear Metal played, had a few costly errors in strategy and mechanical, and placed second place, out of over fifty teams. What a feat.
Their hard work was truly repaid with excellent standing, especially after persevering through miscellaneous malfunctions and even progressively improving thereafter. The first-place teams head to International Championships in Atlanta, Ga. but second does not. Bear Metal will try for the gold in Seattle later in the month.
To give them even more momentum going to Seattle and finals, the club received the Xerox Creativity Award for the design and utilization of their upper turret.
The Tahoma Robotics Club has one more regional, one more chance, to beat the odds and go on to championships. The next regional is Thursday through Saturday at Key Arena and admission is free.
Come support and see what it is about Bear Metal is also having a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at Lake Retreat, tentatively scheduled for May 1. If you are interested in attending the fundraiser, they will be selling tickets prior as well as at the event. Check the Web site, www.tahomarobotics.org for updates. There will be displays, test drives, dinner, and both a silent and live auction to raise money.
