All those interested in joining the RoboCats are invited to watch Oxford High School’s robotics team kick off the upcoming season of competition at Kettering University on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The team wishes to display what the world of robotics is like as they compete against 41 other teams at the 2009 Kettering Kickoff in a game called FIRST Lunacy. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with the opening ceremonies, and concludes at 4 p.m. with the awards presentation and closing ceremonies.
Lunacy is played on a 54-foot long by 27 foot wide field called the crater, which is covered with a slick surface called regolith, which simulates the condition of driving on the moon.
Two alliances of three teams each are located in bases on opposite sides of the field, and additional players are located around the edges of the playing surface.
The object of the game is to get as many moon rocks and super cells, which are different colored balls, in the opposing team’s trailers.
Next year, the RoboCats will have to part ways with this year’s robot and build an entirely new one from scratch. They cannot start building until January for the 2010 First Robotics Competition (FRC). The challenging part for the club is that they are given six weeks to take a standard box of parts, read and understand the set of rules for the year and come up with a design concept for their robot and bring it to life in time for the year’s first competition.
Dante Zuccaro, a parent volunteer who helps run the club, said that one of the things that robotics does it take the student through the same developmental process that is currently used in today’s industry.
‘Whether you are developing an automobile, space shuttle, airplane or toy, we take them through the same development process we use in the industry,? he said.
This process involves brainstorming, concept selection, evaluation, testing and product modification based on testing results.
Even with the same set of rules and parts, every team gives a unique perspective on how to solve the problem.
With only seven returning students from last year’s team, they are looking to increase membership. Zuccaro said that whoever is interested is welcome to participate with the team at the Kettering Kickoff or come and view the competition. ‘The event is free,? he said.
‘Kettering is a chance to get the kids to experience some competition,? said Ron Bauman, who also helps run the club. ‘We’re looking to go there, have fun, get the kids a chance to drive the robot and experience what robotics is all about,? he said.
The competition is set up like any other sporting event Zuccaro said. The field is on the floor with stands surrounding the playing surface for people to watch.
The robotics teams has some local sponsorship supporting the team this year, but they are always looking for more.
The school is also supportive of the club. The Robotics club has its own room, #247, and use of the school computers.
‘Everyone is learning as they go, whether it is obvious or not,? said Zuccaro. ‘We’re teaching them physics and different aspects of a machine and different types of engineering, whether mechanical or electrical.?
The Manchester, New Hampshire-based FIRST (which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) handed out $10 million in scholarship money last year to students who competed in robotics. ‘It’s a great opportunity for them to get some money for college,? said Bauman.
‘Anyone who is considering or even slightly interested should spend at least an hour or two at Kettering to see what it is all about,? said Zuccaro.
The RoboCats team is holding an informational meeting at OHS (Room 247) for interested students and parents on Wednesday, Sept. 9 beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information call Nancy Zuccaro at (248) 628-3312.