Category Archives: FIRST

2018 Plainfield’s Indiana FIRST District Event Results

FIRST

On Friday evening, the students worked hard to improve and practice with the robot.

On Saturday morning, the students met at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated to head to Plainfield and get an early start working on the robot before competition started. As the day went on, the students worked vigorously on the improvements of the robot, practiced driving the robot, and improved the programming. The qualification matches lasted from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm.

On Sunday morning, the students repeated meeting and getting to the competition early starting their day over again. While working hard and improving the robot, the students spoke to the judges and explained the objectives of the robot and their goals for the future. Qualification matches continued all morning, and then the top 8 teams made their picks for playoff alliances.  Since the team was not picked for a top 8 alliance, they watched from the stands and learned about other teams’ robots and strategies. The students also watched the playoffs and chose teams to cheer for.

Our Wins: The students got the chance to design and build their own robot. They had fun and got experience from doing robotics. Plus, we took the opportunity to layout bigger plans for the future, while growing together as a team.

What Worked Well: The students had a positive attitude and worked to improve and become better than before. They improved their communication skills as a team. The team also was able to be flexible and adapt as the competition continued.

What We Can Improve On: We can improve on prioritizing the judges as they walk around and have someone free to answer their questions and introduce our robot. We cam improve maximizing the students potential and find a job they can do but also have them be well rounded in other areas as well. We can improve on building students’ technical independence so they can be able to work on tasks by themselves and not be so dependent on mentors. Lastly, we can define pit procedures. This means that the students would know multiple different areas instead just knowing one. Giving them room to grow and improve.

Where We Ended: The students ended the competition having fun and cheering on other teams to win. The experience was great for the students and we are determined to work harder next year as we continue to inspire those around us.

Our Outlook: We have plans of going to outreach events and expanding robotics to elementary and middle school students. Our journey hasn’t ended, it has just begun as we continue our dreams to inspire others.

6721 at Plainfield
6721 at Plainfield

 

2018 Saint Joseph’s Indiana FIRST District Event Results

FIRST
It’s hard to believe we’ve already had a week to recover from the 2018 St Joseph District Event!

 

On Friday evening, the students worked hard, and with the help of other teams at the event, completed building their robot.

 

Saturday, students got up early and headed back to the school.  They continued to make improvements on the robot, test the programming, and practice driving on the practice field.  The qualification matches lasted from 9:30am to 7:00pm.

 

Sunday was another morning, with the student working to rebuild their intake system in the morning.  Qualification matches ran all morning, and then the top 8 teams made their picks for playoff alliances.  Since the team was not picked for a top 8 alliance, they watched from the stands and learned about other teams’ robots and strategies.

 

Our wins: The Trailblazers won the Judge’s Award.  This is an award reserved for the panel of judges to award to an exemplary team that doesn’t fit nicely into any one award category.  The team was awarded this because the students show the makings of a Chairman’s Award team.  This is the highest award possible, and this Judge’s Award was a great compliment.  Also, the Trailblazers wrote a nomination for Team Roboto, FRC 447 for the Gracious Professionalism Award for their assistance with lending parts and expertise, and teaching the students how to scout.  Team Roboto won the Gracious Professionalism Award.

 

What worked well: the students worked hard, communicated well, and were resilient despite multiple losses.  The robot drove well, and the drive team improved operation with each match.  The students made new friends from teams around Indiana, and learned how scout other robots for alliance selections.

 

What needs improving: The students are building a completely new intake system that uses pneumatics rather than mechanical springs.  This intake system will be more reliable.  The students are completing the lift system this week as well.  This will allow the robot to place cubes in the switch and scale, and climb the scale at the end of the game.

 

Where we ended:  Tindley Trailblazer Robotics ranked 33 out of 40 teams at the event.  Considering the challenges with the robot and completely new drive team, the team did a great job overall.  We currently have 18 district rank points, putting us in 21st rank in the state.  There are 32 available slots at Indiana State Championships.  However, about half the teams in Indiana haven’t competed in an event yet.

 

Our outlook: With the improvement to the intake and the lift, and additional drive team practice time, the team has a great outlook for the Plainfield District Event.  The students will have to work hard to maintain a spot for State Championships, but it is not out of the realm of possibilities.

 

6721 at St Joseph
6721 at St Joseph

With Knowledge…WE RISE!!!

FIRST

We are an organization known as Trailblazer Robotics based out of Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School in Central Indianapolis. Our organization is inspired by a group of high school students that have a passion for STEM. Please join us with your support and follow us on the following social media networks:

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and Twitter!

You can also e-mail us at trailblazerrobotics@gmail.com with any questions or concerns!