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Last updated on Friday, April 7, 2017
(BLOOMINGTON) - The challenge: Build a robot that will shoot 5 inch whiffle balls into a 21 inch diameter goal that is about 8’ off the floor.
Oh and while you are at it add a scoring mechanism that will score additional points by placing a game piece, shaped like a gear, that is about 12 inches in diameter onto a flexible peg. Then if that is not enough, in the last few seconds roll over there and climb a rope.
That's what will be happening this weekend in Huntington Indiana. Robotics teams from across the state compete in both qualification and elimination matches in hopes of high-scoring performances. The best of the best will be moving on to the World Championship held in St. Louis, MO. later this month.
While the competition is what makes this so much fun, there is so much more going on here. "FIRST isn't about competing, it's about cooperating, and recognizing that if you have the right tools, you'll be able to make this world a better place for yourself and for the country," said Dean Kamen, president of DEKA Research and Development and FIRST® Founder, adding, "There is no stimulus package that will have as much return as stimulating a bunch of kids to become the workforce of the future, the problem solvers, the creators of the future."
This weekend at Huntington High School in Huntington Indiana, students, engineering and technical mentors will demonstrate their skill for science, mathematics, and technology. In what is often call the varsity sport for the mind they will compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship, and high-impact partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities.
The game consists of the robot shooting 5 inch whiffle balls into a 21 inch diameter goal that is about 9' off the floor. Additionally robots may score points by placing a game piece, shaped like a gear, that is about 12 inches in diameter onto a flexible peg. Human players (students) must then retrieve the gear from the flexible peg and place it onto another assembly before points are scored. An endgame option allows robots to score even more points by climbing a rope.
The matches are timed and anything can happen. Often the final score will be decided by just one single event. Just like in a basketball game the difference between winner and looser is often just a fraction of a second. In fact, the atmosphere of a robotics competition is markedly similar to a basketball game; fans decked out in spirited clothing, constant cheering, and the moments of euphoria when a team scores just before the buzzer rings. It's a truly incredible experience for all involved.
Play at this State Championship Event will be fierce since the results will be the determining factor for World Championship qualification. Going into the State Championship Event the IndianaFIRST district leader is Cyber Blue from Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis Indiana and they lead with 128 district points. Pike RoboDevils also from Indianapolis Indiana is ranked second with 103 district points, and Team Hammond from Hammond Indiana is ranked third with 101 district points.
Members of the media are welcome to interview students, coaches and mentors. Please contact our media team to schedule interviews and photo/video opportunities.
EVENT: Indiana State Championship, High School Robotics Competition
WHERE: Huntington North High School, 450 McGahn Street, Huntington, IN 46750
WHEN: April 7-8, 2017 - Friday and Saturday
ADMISSION: No charge and open to the public
LIVE STREAM: http://www.indianafirst.org/
Schedule:
Friday, April 7, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
*Schedule subject to change. All times are estimated based on flow of rounds. See Pit Administration table for updated times.
Teams Competing At This Event
Team Number Team Name Location Twitter Handle
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