By Omar Tanamly (January 25, 2004)

The Science Club participants in the famed FIRST Robotics Competition have collected their supplies, and have begun steady preparation for the annual March tournament. Having met the $5000 quota in order to participate, the GMHS chapter recently received an additional donation of $500 from Home Depot. They have begun preparation for the challenging competition, which offers a creative experience in which contestants from many states collaborate and compete against other teams in an intense, weekend conference to construct the ultimate robot.
 

Utilizing their brand new toys, foreground, supplied  by the FIRST Robotics competition, members of the  Science Club work after school to develop their  robot in Mason’s first-ever venture into the robotics  competition.	Now how will the robot move this ball? That and many  other questions face the Science Club members who  are devising the programs to control their robot as  they consider the problems they will face in the  robotics competition.

The George Mason division participating in the conference, led by co-sponsors Mr. Ballou and Mr. Applegate, recently attended a preparatory seminar at Virginia Commonwealth University in order to receive their supplies for construction of the robot, which they will have to build independently, prior to the tournament. Upon their return, preparation began immediately, for although most of the materials to construct the robot are provided in a uniform kit given to each team, the mechanics of building the robot are left up to its creators. "We’re rookies, so we’ll have to work hard to figure out what the best way of constructing the robot is," said Ballou. 

A computer model prototype of the robot’s parts is currently being visually designed, as well as a 3-D mock-up of the actual arena. The control system has been constructed, and several motors, gears, a compressor, and other assorted components will provide high-quality foundation for the robot’s structure. Led by such dedicated members as Greg Douglas, Kevin Zhou, Alex Nette, and Luisa Fairfax, large-scale construction meetings began on January 16.

Yet one obstacle still remains unresolved for the participants for adequate preparation for the competition. The Science Club is in need of a few good free-throw shooters, to prepare for a certain heat. In this particular heat, the robot will chase down 18-inch rubber balls, and herd them into holes in the four corners of the arena. There, the shooter must shoot the balls into a specified location for points. This exercise requires both human and robotic operators, who can both remain steady under pressure. The hardest task the robot will have to face is to climb a 10-foot high staircase and lift a heavy bar off the platform. A three-minute time limit is placed on this specific episode, and similar boundaries are placed on each of the different heats. A two-hour period that allows for adjustments will take place between each exercise.

Work on publicity, an animated film, and possibly an early February pep rally are also being tackled with speed as the GHMS chapter advances steadily towards the final tournament which will take place the first weekend in March at VCU. The tournament is open to all spectators. Each team will receive bonus points for the number of "cheerleaders" they bring with them, depending on the intensity of the cheers. A preview of the robot in action is possible during the first week of February, but stay tuned for further updates.