Here’s a look at what each of our subteams have been up to this week!

Programming

Oliver J., wearing a blue team hoodie and safety glasses, is working on creating Bezier Splines on a laptop at a wooden table. The laptop screen shows a software interface titled 'Obstacle Planner'.
Left: Oliver working on creating Bezier Splines for ChickenPlanner.

The Programming team has been working on fixing and improving code in preparation for the new robot. They split into teams, Sophomore Oliver J. details, “Because we don’t have a robot to code, we’re just working on fixing any bugs and updating code from last year, and working on ChickenPlanner, creating Bezier Splines to calculate robot trajectories.” ChickenPlanner is a main point of focus for the Programming team, as it’s a way for them to code the robot’s movement during the autonomous period, something they don’t need the physical robot to do. Additionally, they have been preparing a past robot for a showcase at an elementary school STEM event. 

Build & Design

After presenting their prototypes to the Strategy team on Saturday, the Build and Design team works with the Strategy to discuss feedback from mentors and choose which ones to use on the robot, CAD-ing the final Designs. Rainee R., a sophomore on the Build & Design team, works on the CAD-ing the design she and fellow sophomore Kali M. created, which ended up being the design that was chosen for algae intake. “Our intake system was originally designed to remove algae from the reef, however, it seemed to work better as an intake. CAD-ing is particularly helpful because you can see mistakes you wouldn’t usually notice until you’ve built the prototype.” They’ve recently been refining their designs, meeting with the mentors to go over their ideas and strategies. As part of this process, they have held a design review meeting with both Strategy and Programming to make sure all parties get to contribute their own ideas to make the final product better.

A workshop scene with Rainee R. Kali M. collaborating on their first prototype. Both are wearing blue Chicken Bot Pie hoodies and are measuring a metal rod with a tape measure. The workbench in front of them holds various tools and materials, including a roll of duct tape, a large teal kickball (which is the algae), a power drill, and wooden planks.
Rainee and Kali building their first prototype.
Drew M, wearing a gray hoodie with a lime green design on it, is pointing at a large screen displaying a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model within the Onshape software interface. The CAD model showcases a detailed assembly of a robot, with various components and parts visible. He is emphasizing a specific section of the model, giving a presentation.
Drew presenting the coral intake system to mentors.

Operations

Operations continues to work on the Impact Award, with each member creating executive summaries, and many other aspects of the award. Manuel R. M., an Operations Member, has been working on creating the First Train Video, which is part of a music video that will be compiled with other teams’ for a montage. “For our fifteen second clip, what we want to do is superhero themed, using game pieces like algae to create scenes where a hero will save the day.” We have also been working to create posts for our Instagram account, Junior Aishah A. and Freshman Torsten Z. working together to maintain our social media presence. Aishah says, “It’s really fun being able to make relatable posts, it shows robotics isn’t just work.”

Manuel R. M., an Operations member, wears a blue team hoodie and headphones around his neck. He poses next to teal kickballs on a table, which are the Algae game pieces meant for use in the FIRST Train Video.
Manuel with algae game pieces used in First Train Video.

Strategy

Evan G, wearing safety glasses, a blue team hoodie, and a gray hoodie over it, is seated at a wooden table in a workshop environment, using a laptop. The laptop screen displays a spreadsheet with various columns and rows of data. Evan is holding a game controller in both hands.
Evan working on a spreadsheet.

Strategy has been working with Build on grading and evaluating prototypes, but they are also getting ready for Drive Team! They’ve worked on Tuesday and Thursday to create tests to determine who, among the students who have been trying out, are the best to be on the team that competes with the robot. Strategy Captain Evan G. says, “because of our lack of a robot, we’re using XRC simulators for drive team tryouts this year. It may not be the most accurate, but it gives them a good idea of the controls of the robot, and gives us a good idea of how they’ll work under pressure.” The students take their tests on Saturday, and the Strategy team will grade and evaluate to determine the drive team for this year. They also prepared and helped give a presentation about our robotics program to kids at one of the middle schools as a way to inspire incoming freshmen to join.

Chicken Bot Pie would like to thank you for your support and encouragement. Without you, all of this would not be possible.

Thank you!!
Sincerely,
Aishah Adam, Operations MemberManuel Romero Maspoli, Operations Member
Ellen Ingham, Operations Captain
Celeste Hill, Head Coach
Minnetonka Robotics / Team 3082 / Chicken Bot Pie