by: Anderson Prater
The Hinckley-Finlayson Robotics team, also known as the Jag-o-botics started their first week of practice on Saturday, January 5th. Saturday was the first day of their six week building period; they attended the FIRST conference in Duluth where they learned about this years theme (Deep Space) as well as received parts for their robot. The FIRST Robotics challenge this year revolves around deep space, the contest involves loading "Cargo" (Rubber Kickballs) into rocket ships and moving "Hatch panels (Flat Three-foot discs). I asked the head of robotics, Mr. Ranger, what they were doing this year to get ready for the FIRST robotics competition. He told me that they are practicing every week Monday through Thursday after school and Saturdays. Given that the building period starting less than a week ago Mr. Ranger couldn't give me too many specifics about the actual build of the robot because they are just beginning to design it. As the season goes on they hope the jag-o-botics name will grow, as well as the team. Mr. Ranger said, "At the first practice we had about 15 people and we are expecting to pick up more as the season goes on. We are pretty heavy with seniors this year so I am hoping we can get some 9th and 10th graders later in the year." Mr. Ranger told me about all the new things that the robotics club is hoping to do this year to generate interest. The team is hoping to have an alumni night so that people who were in robotics and have since graduated can come back and drive around this year's robot and talk to this years team. The robotics team is also looking to expand their reach to younger kids, they are trying to host a junior high night which will introduce junior highers to the idea of robotics and let them see the robot in action. They are also looking forward to driving the robot around at the elementary school. Hopefully, the Jag-o-botics team has a successful build this year and they can expand their name even further to produce some interest with the younger generations.
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September 2019
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