After six challenging weeks of designing, building, and programming, the Tahoma Robotics Club has completed our build season. As a FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team, Tahoma Robotics “Bear Metal” persistently worked through many obstacles, striving to achieve challenging goals in a short period of time.
After this rigorous build season, Bear Metal triumphantly completed our robot, Ursa Major. The game involves picking up and scoring variously shaped pool tubes. Additionally, the team created a miniature robot, Ursa Minor, which climbs up a pole in the last ten seconds of every match. This otherwise insignificant aspect of the game contributes a surprising advantage to those who successfully complete it, and is a critical component to winning each competition.
This program gives freshman students and above the opportunity to expand their knowledge of science, technology and engineering, while simultaneously developing team work skills and leadership experience. Robotics truly is a varsity sport of the mind, meeting every day after school during the six week build season for four plus hours, and during mid-winter break for 12 or more hours a day.
Due to the fact that the team builds complicated, five-foot robots, the club cannot be supported fully through associated student body funding. Because of this, Bear Metal is hosting our annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 at Tahoma Senior High School, 18200 SE 240th Street
Covington.
There will be a variety of silent auction items donated by businesses throughout the community as well as club members, a live auction with handmade and larger items, and a dessert auction made by club members and their families. During the silent auction, Bear Metal will be driving robots and serving a spaghetti meal (with a vegetarian alternative).
Tickets are $10 a person, or a $25 combo family of three, they can be purchased from any Bear Metal member. All contributions are greatly appreciated and all funds will go towards aiding students and the club for the remainder of the season and throughout future years.
On March 18 and 19, Bear Metal will be competing in the Seattle Olympic Regional at Qwest Event Center. During this regional event, Bear Metal will compete with forty-nine other teams from around the world. If Bear Metal wins the competition or receives the prestigious Chairman’s Award, which is given to one team who demonstrate exceptional community involvement, they will proceed to the FIRST World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri on the weekend of April 30.
After a stressful and successful build season, Bear Metal is moving on to be competitive at both the regional and championship level. They hope to see a large amount of community support at the competitions. The regional event is free to the public and offers a new take on typical sporting event spirit, where the mind is celebrated.
For additional information about Bear Metal’s build season, the Spaghetti Dinner and items available at the auction or the Seattle Olympic Regional, please visit the club’s website at: www.tahomarobotics.org.
