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Our robotics group strives to make many connections with our community, and our community loves to interact and help our group. People say, “Have you ever tried “this” idea?” “When can we order your apparel?” or “Could you demonstrate your robot to us?”.
The people and businesses in our community are always cooperative and happy to give their time and set up interactions. This year, our interactions have led Demco, Hofmeyer Electric, Iowa State Bank, CQ Medical, Thompson Electric, Diamond Vogel, Ace Hardware, Ag Leader, Interstates, MidAmerican Energy, Saharafox, Forever Photography, and Pella to sponsor us. Our team set up additional time with some engineering companies to meet with our group in their building to explain the program and get some advice from their engineers and employees.
To increase the interest in robotics in future students, we have had the opportunity to teach kids at the Alton Library four times this season. This has included helping kids in the STEM program and showing them our robots. At the end of each robotics competition year, we head to our Middle school to show the middle schoolers the game for the season, the experiences of robotics, and FTC and their values, such as gracious professionalism. This encourages upcoming students to join the team the following year.
The reason why we travel around our community is to inspire others to promote involvement. We are also able to learn from the places that we travel to. In perspective, it is a win-win. The organizations benefit from the excitement that flows with the team, and we benefit by gaining knowledge and insight into the problems that we face.
When we went to CQ Medical, we intended to show them the game and discuss how the robots could improve physically. We had set up a crude field to relay what the robot could and could not do. Our favorite activity we attended was meetings with kids at the Alton library. While there, we show the kids the robots and let them drive them. Some of the kids have even commented on that. They would like to attend the STEM activity because the robotics team will be there. After that, we help the kids with STEM projects such as building marble roller coasters, rubber band cars, and extendable claws.
On our Interstates visit, we were given a tour of their panel shop, where we got to see how they wire up their industrial panels. We had set up the meeting to learn how to wire manage our robots better. During our visit, we met one of their employees who had previously been on a robotics team for FTC. Talking with him, we discussed how past games were played and recurring strategies for the robots and players. Overall, it was very inspiring.
On February 9th this year, we traveled to Dordt University. While there, we showed them our robots and our portfolio. They were impressed with our accomplishments and were very interested in FTC. Also, they showed us around some of their lab areas while we were there. We began with the Assistant Professor of Engineering and Physics. We showed them our portfolios and our robots. Luckily, we had brought pixels and could give them a small idea of how the game worked by showing them rather than telling them. We also talked a bit with the Professor of Engineering and Technology and showed him our robots, but sadly, we didn't have time to show him our portfolios.
We are also working to plan a meeting with Sekisui and NCC. We plan on meeting with NCC in late March after the state. We also still have to connect with Sekisui, but it is possible.
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