The Iron Update

January 24, 2016
Standard / by / January 24, 2016 / No Comments

One-Third of the way through build season

This week the team worked on sensor testing, robot connection, prototyping, CAD, and field element construction. Members built three “defenses” for robot testing and software fixed the Iron Riders github repository. Mr. Ruff’s room has been very crowded as of late due to his class’s upcoming semester deadlines. We plan to pick up the pace as his students finish their projects, giving us more workspace. Next week we will begin constructing the chassis and the drive train.

We really appreciate the support we have been getting in these past two weeks. Thank you Peggy Confer for providing Wednesday’s wonderful dinner. Thank you Joe Farra for getting the team construction supplies. Thank you Daniel, Fitz, Keith, John, Mike, and Will for showing up to mentor. As always, thank you Mr. Ruff and Ms. Myers for having your doors open.

January 16, 2016
Standard / by / January 16, 2016 / No Comments

The first week of build season is over!

I apologize for the lack of recent updates, build season is a little busy.

Kickoff went wonderfully. Getting up at the crack of dawn was totally worth the cool new challenge (Here is the FIRST Stronghold Reveal Video if you are curious). Thank you to the numerous mentors, drivers and food providers who made it all possible.

During our kickoff meeting at the University of Washington, members analyzed game strategies and acted out the challenge. Pictured below are robots (Jake, Fiona, and Matthew) “climbing” the castle walls (Andrew, Christina, and Brendan).

The team's focus this week was design, yet we have also started prototyping and coding the Stronghold robot. Thank you Mary and Michael for providing Wednesday’s club dinner. Thank you Daniel for showing up every day of the week to help us out. Thank you Mr. Ruff and Ms. Myers for always having your doors open.

Have a great three day weekend Iron Riders!  

December 10, 2015
Standard / by / December 10, 2015 / No Comments

$9,817.12 in one week?!

Recent team fundraising efforts have been extremely successful. Our hardware lead, Jax Damir, helped us retain last year’s Electroimpact sponsorship. The recent completion of our Snap Raise fundraiser has also added to our total. The club budget has doubled as of last year due to our awesome business team, and our awesome business lead. Good job Zoe. 🙂

November 27, 2015
Standard / by / November 27, 2015 / No Comments

After Thanksgiving...

In light of Thanksgiving we’d like to thank the Golden Grads program for our new MIG Welder. We would also like to thank everyone who donated to our cause on Snap-Raise. Thank you to new mentors, Keith, Daniel, Mike, Karen, and Remington, for helping pre-season efforts. Thank you returning mentors, Fitz, Charles, and John, for your help with the mentor meeting. Thank you Mr. Ruff and Ms. Myers for the countless hours of support and advice. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

On another note, there is a parent meeting this Wednesday at 5:00pm in Room 217 at Roosevelt High School. We will be discussing the basics of build season as well as logistic information such as carpools and team snacks, so please try to attend. If you are a parent that is unable to attend please email vp-communications@ironriders.org in order to get a summary of the meeting.
Good luck to seniors working on college apps and thank you for your time.

November 19, 2015
Standard / by / November 19, 2015 / No Comments

The first quarter of the 2015-2016 school year is over!

While it might seem insane that we are already one fourth of the way through the school year, it isn’t so outlandish when you consider all that has been accomplished in such a short time. The club has introduced new members to the team, held a team bonding game night, submitted grants, received donations, met with mentors to discuss plans, and more.
 
Our current focus lies in completing a pep robot, ordering sweatshirts, building flags, and preparing for build season. This preparation includes an upcoming parent meeting, which will be on December 2nd at 5:00pm in Mr. Ruff's Room (219) at Roosevelt High School.
 
As of today, we have eight days left in our fundraising campaign with Snap! Raise. You can donate at the following link here:
https://app.snap-raise.com/fundraisers/5955
 
Only 51 days until build season...

October 30, 2015
Standard / by / October 30, 2015 / No Comments

Happy Halloween Eve!

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.

October 26, 2015
Standard / by / October 27, 2015 / No Comments

Curriculum, Fundraising, and Housekeeping…

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.

September 27, 2015
Standard / by / October 27, 2015 / No Comments

And so it begins!

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.

September 21, 2015
Standard / by / October 27, 2015 / No Comments

Awh yeah

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. :’(

September 16, 2015
Standard / by / October 27, 2015 / No Comments

Back in action

“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.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Countdown

FIRST Countdown

FIRST Robotics Kickoff Countdown

Created by Alex Fischman, Team 4180