Update on the robotics team

Funds donated through the organization have lowered costs considerably. Thank you to all of you who did that.

Also, thanks to a very generous donation from Fossil, the individual trip deposit for 18 students was made yesterday! If the trip ends up costing more than this deposit, there is also funds to meet individual needs from Fossil and Brotherbart. Fossil also provided a scholarship for me to be able to go

If anyone has sent funds to the school address, we are on spring break this week and I won't see that until Monday.

The school department agreed to cover the cost of the bus, which is about $7,000.
The kids have been stumping around town for donations, as well as sponsorship for next year. They were on the radio this morning, and they are running a pizza party fundraiser Saturday.

I am amazed and grateful, as are the kids. I was the lucky recipient of a crushing "group hug" yesterday. Cinderella is going to the ball.

http://www.team1225.com/

In personal news, I've just submitted my thesis draft to my faculty mentor. Phew!

Here's my group hug

BrotherBart said:

Runner up team in deep poo. A shame.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/nation...ompetition-but-their-robot-was-stolen/2224956

Click to expand...

Horrible

We are on the bus!!

Eileen if I can figure out the team number I can find them.

On the trip in yesterday so many kids mentioned that they had never been further west than Knoxville! Coming into the city at night, they were wowed. It was adorable.

Today was set up, but not before some sightseeing. We went up into the arch which was so cool! I'm having wifi issues, but will post some pix when I can

Just seeing this now. Here's the schedule. We had a rough start. The first three qualifying matches were bust. Finally problems got worked out and the bot was back to form for the fourth. We'll be out if any finals, but hope to redeem ourselves tomorrow

Our arena is Tesla

A quick update from back at work
It was an amazing trip. Our hotel was right in front of the Arch, right on the river, and that was so cool.
Hotel wifi was troublesome, and there was no wifi at the arena, so my apologies for lack of updates. I will post some pictures from home.

We had 10 matches, and the kids really only ran the robot well for half of those. Issues ranged from broken parts to poor placement of robot. A learning trip for sure. In all, our robot was good but the robots that won were definitely superior. It gives the kids something to work towards.

I cannot say enough great things about the FIRST organization. More on that later.

I had a lot of fun, but also had some serious duties like sitting all night with a kid who had a grand mal siezure. I was glad I went for that alone (Thanks Rick Fossil!)

This was a life changing trip for every kid. I am so grateful to all of you who made that happen.

Tonight the are demo-ing at an elementary school to spread the magic.

The guy in the blue shirt is Grant from mythbusters. They were starstruck!