PLD Robotics - Team 2856
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As the first team from Central Kentucky to participate in the FIRST Robotics competition, the diverse and talented students from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and Henry Clay High School have come together in a joint effort to learn, grow and compete as engineers of the future. Our mission is to create a student-driven organization that will encourage students to take an interest in science and math through hands-on application of these subjects as they pertain to robotics. |
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Boilermaker, Here We Come—Goodbye Lexington |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 18 March 2009 00:00 |
Tick…tick...tick…
The final minute always seems to last forever. Our minds were already on the charter bus to Indiana. We impatiently watched the school clocks, wishing our bodies could be on the road as well. As school finally let out, everyone gathered at Mrs. Smith’s (MSTC facilitator) office to retrieve their luggage and load the bus. Once we made sure all members of the trip had arrived, including one student from Henry Clay, we headed out. In front of the bus, we took a few group pictures, got everything stowed away and said some goodbyes. Despite the long day of school we had, there was positive energy that surrounded everyone. We left on the bus at four-thirty. A long ride and a wonderful, new experience lay ahead of us. The only thought in our head was ‘Boilermaker, here we come!’
The ride lasted five hours, and included a stop at McDonald’s for supper. For the most part, we kept ourselves occupied with chit-chat, I-pods, and occasional naps. Once we reached the hotel, we quickly unloaded and carried our luggage to our rooms, eager to stretch our tired legs. After everyone had settled in, the chaperones came by for one last check. We were given new shirts, from Lexmark, and other supplies for the upcoming days of competition. We had a competitive robot, a true team of engineers, and a whole lot of fun to look forward to. Robotics had consumed our minds. Our dreams that night were filled with the sounds of grinding gears and sliding metal…
Arunita |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2009 21:46 |
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Practice is over. Time for the real show. |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 19 March 2009 21:49 |
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We knew we were a rookie team. We knew that we were competing against programs that have more people, more materials, and more funding. We could handle that, because it didn’t matter. We had an intact, functioning robot that could compete just as well as the next. However, we did have a severe weakness: our lack of experience. Walking into Purdue’s Armory building in the morning, we had no idea what we would find, or what the pit would look like. We had no idea how long fifteen seconds could take, and how short two minutes were (the autonomous and tele-operated periods). But now we do, and we’ve learned. After five practice matches of trial and error with various people running different positions and different methods of moving/positioning the robot, we’re doing much, much better. We have our starting team, and a set up backups so that everyone knows exactly what they are supposed to be doing, and when. Thanks to Mr. Cloyd and Mr. Combs we got a cart built to make moving the robot 1,000 times easier (a special thanks to the team that was gracious enough to allow us to borrow their extra for a few practices, and potentially the whole weekend!). The strategy of other teams has already shown us ways to improve, and we’re already using some of their advice to add to the top of the robot in order to better catch game pieces. On the team’s very first day at any regional, we learned a lot and are set to get started tomorrow on the seeding matches. We’re getting off to a hectic start with re-inspections before 9, opening ceremonies from 9-9:30, and our first two matches shortly afterwards. Scott |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 19 March 2009 21:48 |
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The sun had just risen. The clock read five past six our engineers were already up and about. It is never too early for robotics. It was the day we were going to Purdue University to set up, unpack and test our robot (which was shipped here from Lexington at the end of February). Our minds had been racing wildly, anticipating the turn-out of events—who was going to be there? What would the other robots look like? Arunita |
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F.I.R.S.T Planetary Drive |
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Written by E2 Hsiao
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Sunday, 11 January 2009 00:57 |
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For the first time ever, Dunbar is going to join in the frenzy surrounding FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Students from the Math, Science and Technology Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School got together to form the PLD Robotics Team over the summer under the supervision and guidance of Mr. John Zbrozek, coordinator of the Robotics Team, Ms. Beverly Smith, and Mr. Jim Adams. “Bev Smith, Jim Adams and I had talked about doing FIRST Robotics for a couple of years,” said Mr. Zbrozek. “Robotics is a really great way to bring math, science, engineering, programming, and teamwork learning and skills all together. It also strengthens the ‘T’ in MSTC, a long standing objective for Ms. Smith.” The students learned a great deal about engineering and got a chance to work together on some small, robotics-related projects. With their new, acquired knowledge, the PLD Robotics Team built LightTracker, a small robot with the capability to find light in a relatively dark room. “I’m pretty excited,” said the president of Dunbar’s Robotics Team, senior Stuart Ewen. “Dunbar has never had a Robotics Team before, and I’m honored to be a part of it.” |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 11 January 2009 01:44 |
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