Potentially the last training before Kickoff...
Jeff Lizotte was again present to deliver practical, and professional, welding training. Although I requested that the Mech team arrive at 5:30 to begin, many wandered in much later. Some, I learned, arrived on time, but did not seek out the training in the shop.
While mecchies were in the shop, taking turns welding aluminum, the "sparkies" were busily completing the assembly of the new controls onto parade bot. Aside from a more secure battery box, we're set for some serious software work.
Wireless works, everything seems solid, using the code as delivered. Progress was made, voices were jubilant. I am a happy mentor.
On track for kickoff...
Not a lot to talk about, aside from training...
But, just recently having gone over the roster with our faculty advisor, I discovered that there are 44 actively engaged students on the team...
Last week, our new controls were delivered and on Thursday, the electrical team got the controller and its peripherals mounted and readied for use on the parade 'bot chassis. By around 8:30, the tethered controls operated test motors.
Next week, we'll have a machine chasing around the floor wirelessly..
Yesterday, T166, along with T151 ran the concessions at the State lego league championships. This is a fundraiser that our sponsor asks us to run. Profitable, we sold out of most everything...
That's it for now...
A short break...
And so another Thanksgiving has passed, and we're almost thru the training sessions for this season. There is so much going on, that I really haven't thought much about Daniel not being around. The rest of the team has been keeping me pretty busy.
Things this year are dramatically different from the past three seasons. There's an air of lightness, not the heavy, overcast, shadowing that was getting worse with each passing season; the fun of FIRST has been resurrected.
I think I mentioned previously that the team has chosen to attend the Chesapeak regional, rather than wait for Atlanta. The plan includes traveling by bus, caravanning with several other teams from the local area. We're all going to be staying at the same hotel too. It's more costly with regard to vacation time burned, but it'll be great fun.
We're also closing in on the Segway raffle. Since May, T166 has sold enough to cover the cost of the machine, which has been sold to us at a fantastic discount (Thanks SEGWAY!!!) and make a profit of nearly $2500. That will easily cover the cost of the trailer and the graphics on the sides.
Well, enough for tonight...
