Hippo-Bot-Amus

Who is Team 22482?

Team 22482, Hippo-BOT-amus, is a FIRST TECH Challenge Team based in Mechanicville, New York, established in 2022. We are Augustine Classical Academy (ACA) 7-12th graders challenged to design, build, and program. Our robot is built out of aluminum from a recycled Jon Boat, motors, servos, and custom designed 3D printed parts. For better control, we utilize encoders, sensors, and a Limelight Camera. We program using ON-BOT Java on REV Robotics Android based controllers to compete in matches of two minutes and thirty seconds. 

What is FIRST TECH Challenge (FTC)?

FIRST TECH Challenge is a non-profit organization located in over one hundred countries that offers opportunities for team-based robotics programs where students design and build robots to meet competition constraints. FTC trains students to identify problems and ask questions diligently. Students are stretched to become innovators and to grow in their understanding of how things fit together in the world around them. Additionally, students learn to recognize beauty in the order and structure that is inherent to a machine and in the gifting and abilities of their teammates. FIRST Robotics facilitates growth in written and oral communication skills, both within and beyond our team. Using their curiosity and imagination to design computer code and machine components, students reflect the Creator.

We are grateful for the shared values of our school, Augustine Classical Academy and FIRST Robotics, which challenge our students to prioritize relationships and grow in community as they seek to create together. Robotics is one of many tools used by God to refine our students' skills and shape their souls!

Why the name Hippo-BOT-amus?

Our school's name comes from Saint Augustine of Hippo, a theologian, writer, preacher, and rhetorician from Hippo, a city in Africa (now Algeria). Our school mascot is the hippopotamus, thus, our robotics team is called Hippo-BOT-amus.