Costumes today were wonderful, ranging from dreaded homework assignments to Captain America. It’s awesome to see that the team shows so much spirit, we hope that this enthusiasm carries over into our current work on curriculum and the pep robot.

On another note, our hardware lead -Kevin- has stepped down from his position. Current leadership elections have started, and the club is working to condense the lengthy three-week process. At this rate, hardware candidates will be announced next Wednesday and the club-wide vote will occur on the 18th of November, the Wednesday after.  

On November 12th at 5:00pm we will have a team meeting with mentors. Before then, the club will continue to prepare diligently for build season. For now, have a spooky Halloween Eve.

Introductory curriculum meetings have concluded. It is our hope that they inspired incoming students to take part in any of our departments. Interested members are now participating in general design, software, and hardware curriculum. The schedule for after school sessions is as follows (anyone is welcome to come in anytime):

• Monday: Design Curriculum
• Tuesday: Leadership Meeting
• Wednesday: Design, Software, and Hardware Curriculum
• Thursday: Hardware Curriculum
• Friday: Software Curriculum

This week, members will prepare for our fundraising kickoff and organize team projects. Current activity includes the development of a new tool organization system in the Rapid Prototyping Lab and a recently upgraded website. While it is great that so much is being completed, we still have a ways to go. Keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming mentor meetings, parent meetings, and project updates.

This past Wednesday the club had an introductory meeting where we informed interested students about club activities and membership. Of course, we provided ice cream and judged a straw tower challenge which was heaps of fun. We are extremely excited to see such a large turnout, and hope that everyone will all return to room 217 for this week’s meeting on Wednesday at 2:35 for an introduction to software and hardware.

New tools, new members, and a new software lead! As the team creates shadow boards for the new equipment we also prepare for the new member introduction meeting this Wednesday at 12:30. There will be ice cream, so be there!

Congrats to Fiona Shaffer, who will be taking Dylan LaMarca’s position as the Iron Riders Software Lead for the remainder of the year. Good luck to Dylan, we are so sad that you moved to Hale. :’(

“After the long break the Iron Riders are back in action. #winning” -Christa Tebbs

School is finally starting! The likely end of the Seattle Public Schools teacher strike has the club is back in room 217 preparing curriculum and projects for the arrival of new members. This week we plan on designing club posters, organizing club resources, and starting small projects -such as the construction of a new driver station. Be ready for emails pertaining to a club retreat and updates about pre-season preparations.

Thank you.

Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday the team will be in Mr. Ruff’s Rapid Prototyping lab in order to prep the club for the beginning of the school year. Meetings start at 10 and end around 12:30. Please try to attend!

Discussing team goals, projects, and outreach in Mr. Ruff’s classroom yesterday helped hash out club priorities for the approaching school year. The meeting was filled with discussion, but also included a team picture in the supply closet and prep for the STEM Expo later that night.

The Expo went smoothly thanks to all of those who attended: Aaron, Jake, Simon, and Marli. The robot remains as functional (and dysfunctional) as ever; though its transportation to Magnuson has reminded us that it is too precious to be conveniently carried through any door. Much thanks to Ryan and Jake for driving it to and from the event.

There will be club meetings from 10am until 12:30pm on Thursday and Friday of this week. Work sessions are also planned for Monday-Friday of next week.

Stay posted for details. (-;