FIRST Robotics Team 980
"The ThunderBots"
Welcome to our web site for the FIRST Robotics Competition 2009!!!!!
About F.I.R.S.T.
F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics competition founded by noted inventor Dean Kamen in 1991 to inspire students to pursue careers in science and to use math and science to make the world a better place. In Jan. 2009, about 1000 high school teams each built a robot over a 6 week period to compete in 2-on-2 competitions across the country.
Our Corporate Team Sponsors
Marcus &
Millichap • Mercury Solar
Imagivations • Solutions for Automation
Crystal View Corp. • Bax Global
MasterServ
We would like to thank each of the above companies for sponsoring our team. Further information about each company is listed below.
Our School Team Sponsors
Delphi Academy
• Renaissance Academy • Shuttleworth Academy
Los Angeles Academy of Literacy & the Arts
The 4 schools listed above have joined forces to create our team. We also have students from a number of other schools and some homeschoolers. Why? We are very excited about FIRST, and we want to share this incredible adventure with as many people as possible.
The New Game for 2009!
The details of the 2009 robotics challenge were revealed at
the FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff held on January 3, 2009 at Southern
New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. The
kickoff was also broadcast live across the country on the NASA channel.
To get an idea of this year's competitions, you can also see an animation which is posted on the NASA web site at
http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2009_frcwebcasts.php
In Los Angeles, the kickoff was shown live on the big screen at the University of S. California, where 4 of our team members picked up our kit of parts: 150 pounds of motors, gears, wheels, wires, and numerous other goodies.
Kickoff Meeting!!!!
We met on Sunday, Jan. 4th to analyse the new game and to start coming up with ideas and plans for our new robot for the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition!!
Some Competition Facts
These robots do not fight, but they do collide. Think of a football or basketball game played using robots. In 2003, they got rid of the balls and substituted 49 plastic bins weighing 5 pounds each. For 2009, we have to pick up tetrahedras and place them on goals that are 5 and 7 feet high.
The competition is based on the idea of helping to make the world a better place through science and math. One of the guiding principles is that teams help other teams, and then they compete. It is quite amazing to see.
Robot Facts
Every robot is different. They are moving, mechanical sculptures, definitely an art form. Half the fun is walking around admiring all the different creations. But then we get to see these robots interact in 2 on 2 competitions. Each robot will compete at least 7 times. A new twist was added in 2003: The robots are totally autonomous (controlling themselves) for the first 15 seconds. Then students run the robots for the remaining minute and 45 seconds of each match.
http://www.usfirst.org/
The main NASA Robotics site has additional information about FIRST at
http://robotics.nasa.gov/
Our Sponsors: The following companies
are a big part of our team's success!
Without their inspiration, support, and frontline help, our robot would still be just a dream. When you support these companies, you are supporting our team.
We would like to thank Marcus & Millichap
for their generous support of our team.
They are a real estate investment brokerage company,
and we very much appreciate their investment in the education
of tomorrow's men and women of science.
Marcus & Millichap
http://www.marcusmillichap.com/
For help in
making your ideas become a reality,
talk to Steve Knight and Rocky Green. They have the machining tools
and the knowledge to make them materialize before your eyes!
In fact, these gentleman have a lot to do with our robots becoming a reality.
With their help, we have created an awesome robot.
Completed Concepts and their sister organization, Mercury Solar
http://www.completedconcepts.com/
This year,
we are building our robot at "Imagivations",
a production and design company in Sun Valley
"where imagination and innovation come together".
Team 980 would like to thank Andrew Menschik and Michael Fuller
for their hospitality. We have all been impressed as we
watched their team create some amazing props and sets.
Imagivations
For help with the design,
fabrication and the installation of custom machinery,
talk to David Toyne. He has the engineering knowledge
and experience needed to design your solution!
This year, David is in Niagra Falls supervising
the installion of a giant computerised fountain,
but we are applying the lessons that he taught us last year.
Solutions for Automation
BAX Global, Irvine, Calif., is a US $1.9 billion supply chain management
and transportation solutions company offering mode-neutral logistics management
for business-to-business shippers worldwide.
We would like to thank BAX Global
for their support and encouragement of our team.
BAX Global
http://www.baxworld.com/US.asp
MasterServ, San Fernando, Calif.
is the largest copper-repiping company
in S. California. This company has given our team incredible support by
allowing us to build our robots and practice in their warehouse.
We would like to thank MasterServe
for their support and encouragement of our team.
MasterServ
560 Library St., San Fernando, CAŻ 91340
Our School Sponsors
DELPHI ACADEMY Los Angeles
Renaissance Academy, La Canada Flintridge
http://www.renaissanceacademy.com/
Shuttleworth Academy, Los Angeles
http://www.shuttleworthacademy.org/
Los Angeles Academy of Literacy &
the Arts
http://www.losangelesacademy.org
Additional Sponsors
The Computer Training Academy is an online computer school
run by George and Pat Morfopoulos.
Everyone can benefit from better computer skills.
Fast and easy skills improvement from “What is
a mouse?” and Computer Literacy,
to Microsoft Office Expert productivity training and Professional Certifications.
Get the knowledge you want and the skills you need, the fast and
easy way and…
when you sign up through us, a portion of your training fee
is donated to the ThunderBots to fund our team.
Check out Computer Training Academy on the web, and if you like
what you see
and sign up, please add “ThunderBots” to the application.
Computer Training Academy
http://www.ctausaonline.com/
Web site hosting for Team980.com is provided by Mac Help LA.
Mac Help LA provides help and technical support
for Macintosh Users in the Los Angeles area.
Also they provide web site updates and
search-engine optimization for any web site,
(not just Macintosh-based sites).
Mac Help LA
http://www.machelpla.com/