Winter has been living up to its reputation this year. The cars were glazed in ice. The kind you can't even scrape off with a plastic scraper. When we came up, the highway was clear, but other cars who arrived later reported encountering black ice and spin-outs. We arrived safely and surprisingly on time.
Grainger in Burr Ridge donated a utility cart to the Team on Monday, so we tricked it out with some graphics. We were so excited about how great the cart looked, it inspired us to finish a few other ideas we had on the back burner for a banner and individual flags. Each corner of the cart was outfitted with a flag holder giving the cart a panache which we really enjoyed.
We also added cowboy hats in the spirit of fun. I think the combination of the Banner, Flags and Hats really gives the Cyborg Eagles a visual identity. This also paid off when we were trying to locate our team members, since the hats were noticeable from a distance.
It was fun bringing the banner and cart to the judging. With it flowing in the breeze as we walked down the hall, the team felt like warriors headed to battle. Nate started whistling a song from Pirates of the Caribbean as an accompaniment to our march. Corny, maybe but definitely fun.
Grainger in Burr Ridge donated a utility cart to the Team on Monday, so we tricked it out with some graphics. We were so excited about how great the cart looked, it inspired us to finish a few other ideas we had on the back burner for a banner and individual flags. Each corner of the cart was outfitted with a flag holder giving the cart a panache which we really enjoyed.
We also added cowboy hats in the spirit of fun. I think the combination of the Banner, Flags and Hats really gives the Cyborg Eagles a visual identity. This also paid off when we were trying to locate our team members, since the hats were noticeable from a distance.
It was fun bringing the banner and cart to the judging. With it flowing in the breeze as we walked down the hall, the team felt like warriors headed to battle. Nate started whistling a song from Pirates of the Caribbean as an accompaniment to our march. Corny, maybe but definitely fun.
Judging went well. We came in with a prepared presentation to highlight our team, robot design and outreach. Everyone was more comfortable than the last time so it went pretty well.
Following the opening ceremony, we had an early match, so we were queued up almost immediately. Having attended the season kickoff and several other tournaments in the past month has helped us get to know many of the other teams. Queuing time now goes by quickly as we catch up with these teams and get to know new ones.
Last weekend, we volunteered for the Gary FTC qualifier as a FIX-IT crew. The BOOC Bots, Team 7030 from Dolton came to the match looking for help with their robot. As the FIX-IT guys, we jumped right in. We really enjoyed getting to know their team and spent a good part of the day helping them with code and mechanical design. It was great seeing how far they took their robot in a week. They showed up as a strong competitor.
Following the opening ceremony, we had an early match, so we were queued up almost immediately. Having attended the season kickoff and several other tournaments in the past month has helped us get to know many of the other teams. Queuing time now goes by quickly as we catch up with these teams and get to know new ones.
Last weekend, we volunteered for the Gary FTC qualifier as a FIX-IT crew. The BOOC Bots, Team 7030 from Dolton came to the match looking for help with their robot. As the FIX-IT guys, we jumped right in. We really enjoyed getting to know their team and spent a good part of the day helping them with code and mechanical design. It was great seeing how far they took their robot in a week. They showed up as a strong competitor.
Our robot had some mechanical problems in the first match, which we corrected before the second match. The second match revealed another problem which we hadn't seen before, so the cycle of repair and play repeated through the day. By the end of the day, the robot was performing well, with our last match being the best one.
It would have been a stroke of luck to be picked for a finalist alliance, since our ranking wasn't where it needed to be. We cleared our pit area and returned to the auditorium for the final matches and the closing ceremony without the team cowboy hats. We were excited but surprised to hear our Team's name called out as they announced the nominations for the judged awards. We were nominated for four of the five awards. We were nominated for the Connect Award, the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award, the PTC Design Award, and the Think Award. This was very exciting and truly an honor.
It would have been a stroke of luck to be picked for a finalist alliance, since our ranking wasn't where it needed to be. We cleared our pit area and returned to the auditorium for the final matches and the closing ceremony without the team cowboy hats. We were excited but surprised to hear our Team's name called out as they announced the nominations for the judged awards. We were nominated for four of the five awards. We were nominated for the Connect Award, the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award, the PTC Design Award, and the Think Award. This was very exciting and truly an honor.
What a roller coaster, to be nominated for each award, but not get the award. The evening ceremony ends with the awarding of the Inspire Award which is the highest award given by FTC. The importance of this award goes beyond the honor of it, since the winner and nominees of the Inspire Award are automatically eligible for advancement to the next tournament level.
We all let out a yelp of excitement when they called out the name Cyborg Eagles!
A walk across the auditorium was filled with high fives from the other teams. Up on the stage we received a congratulation from each of the judges and then our trophy. At this point we're all so excited that we didn't give any thought to grabbing our hats for the Team photo. In retrospect, it fit in perfectly with the jingle the judges came up with for announcing our team: "This team did finally get the hang of it. They've inspired others to join FIRST. Hats off to the team selected for the Inspire Award."
So here we are, pictured above with our Inspire Trophy. Ironically, without our team hats on....
We all let out a yelp of excitement when they called out the name Cyborg Eagles!
A walk across the auditorium was filled with high fives from the other teams. Up on the stage we received a congratulation from each of the judges and then our trophy. At this point we're all so excited that we didn't give any thought to grabbing our hats for the Team photo. In retrospect, it fit in perfectly with the jingle the judges came up with for announcing our team: "This team did finally get the hang of it. They've inspired others to join FIRST. Hats off to the team selected for the Inspire Award."
So here we are, pictured above with our Inspire Trophy. Ironically, without our team hats on....
We wanted to save the Team roster to our website to remember who attended this qualifier.
Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 | Team # 5072 5199 5200 5209 5281 5887 5900 6086 6200 6201 6596 7006 7009 7030 7089 7124 7173 7207 7301 7351 7458 7522 7627 7715 7737 7738 7748 7846 8003 8104 | Team Name Wildcats Blockheads Robot Incorporated Operation: BisonBot E-Innovators RoboWarriors r3inventers Warriors The Sidekicks Bonzai Sir Ramsey Robotitans Robowarriors BOOC Bots Cyborg Eagles Rockford RoboTech Dragonbot Warriors M-Fusion Tiger Robotics Dynamic Signals Full Force! warbots Jefferson RroboticC Technical Difficulties Vaders Bronco Robots Rockin' Robots Rockford RoboTech 2 Molon Labe | School / Organization Woodlands Academy Barrington High School Barrington High School Fenton Bridge Academy Gage Park Hill Crest High School Morgan Park Academy Barrington High School Barrington High School Riverdale High School CMSA CMSA HSA McKinley Park Community Based Rockford Robotics Association Home Based White Glove Cleaning Wheaton Warrenville South HS Underwriters Laboratories MLCB,inc. DBA Heritage Luxury Builders North Chicago Community High School Jefferson High School Rockford Christian High School Fox Valley Robotics Fox Valley Robotics CPS Barrington High School Rockford Robotics Association Marine Math and Science Academy | Location Lake Forest Barrington Barrington Wood Dlae Chicago Chicago Hazel Crest Chicago Barrington Barrington Coal Valley Chicago Chicago Dolton La Grange Rockford Northbrook Belvidere Wheaton Gurnee Gurnee North Chicago Rockford Rockford Batavia Batavia Chicago Barrington Rockford Chicago |
Although the competition involves alliances competing in each match, and advancing to the finals, there are many awards that the teams are judged for to recognize their involvement in the community, spirit, outreach, design or creativity. We as a team have benefited from our efforts in each of these areas, so it was a huge reward to be recognized with the Inspire Award. The Judged Awards are defined below.
Judged Awards:
Motivate AwardThe Motivate Award recognizes outstanding team spirit shown though costumes and outfits, team support, and other methods of standing out and raising attention. Teams that reach out to their schools and community to raise awareness of FIRST and their FTC efforts have done so in a variety of cool and inventive methods - this winner is no exception. Here is what the judges had to say:This team's success is enhanced by its partnership with another team from its city. Aside from this their TON of spirit had a great BEARING on our decision. We got a big KICK out of their SUPER attitude. Winner:Team 6200, The Sidekicks from Barrington, IL
Connect AwardThe Connect Award is a bit different than the Motivate Award. Winners of the Connect Award have done a great deal of community outreach not only to spread the word about FIRST but specifically to include engineers, scientists, and other technology professionals into their outreach efforts. This creates connections between teams, FIRST, and the professional world that can last years beyond their participation in FTC. Connect Award winners also develop and execute plans to fund their team including clear goals and objectives - including how they can give back to their community in the future. Here is what the judges had to say:This team really knows how to connect with the community. Their efforts gathered public notice. Their win was no counterfeit.
Winner:Team 7351, Dynamic Signals from Gurnee, IL
Rockwell Collins Innovate AwardThe Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is robot specific. It celebrates teams who come up with innovate solutions to the Game Challenge that most others have overlooked. These solutions can't just look good - they've got to work... at least most of the time. Historically, some of the most innovative breakthroughs in science and technology have come when fresh thinking is applied to a known problem. This year's Rockwell Collins Innovate Award winners demonstrated that type of thinking. Here is what the judges had to say:This team's robot was a cut above. Their platform gave them quite a lift. We flipped over their creativity.
Winner:Team 5209, Operation: BisonBot from Wood Dale, IL
PTC Design AwardWe are happy that PTC has offered to sponsor the PTC Design Award. The intent of this award is to expand the challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate industrial design into their robots. These elements can be shown in the simplicity of the design as it applies to the tasks, the look and feel of the robot, and how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The Design aspects must serve a function - but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion - not an easy task with a limited set of parts and game challenge. Here is what the judges had to say:Modeled after a square watermelon. With the density of a dying star. More functionality than a Swiss Army knife.
Winner:Team 7207, M-Fusion from Belvidere, IL
Think AwardEvery team at this event has had to think - hopefully a lot. The Think Award recognizes the team that has successfully thought, organized, and documented their journey from their starting point to their final design. The engineering notebook is the record of this journey. Just like in real life, teams that can document their process have the best chance at learning from it and improving on it. Here is what the judges had to say:The Think Award goes to a VETERAN team. Their competition was RED with technical envy. This team demonstrated that they didn't HORSE around.
Winner:Team 5200, Robot Incorporated from Barrington, IL
Inspire AwardThe Inspire Award is the highest award given by FTC. The winner of the Inspire Award is automatically eligible for advancement to the next tournament level. The Inspire Award winner is the 'prototype' for what we'd like to see all teams achieve as part of the FIRST Tech Challenge. They do many of the things mentioned in the other awards. The difference is that they've tied these together in a comprehensive manner resulting in success in the competition, outreach to the community, robot design, team spirit, and engineering accomplishment. That's a tall order but we've got some great candidates for this award today. Here is what the judges had to say:This team did finally get the hang of it. They've inspired others to join FIRST. Hats off to the team selected for the Inspire Award.
Winner:Team 7089, Cyborg Eagles from La Grange, IL
2nd Runner Up:Team 5200, Robot Incorporated
3rd Runner Up:Team 5209, Operation: BisonBot
Advancement Criteria to the 2013-2014 Illinois FTC Championship Tournament
Teams which Qualify for IL FTC Championship Tournment (6 Teams)
Judged Awards:
Motivate AwardThe Motivate Award recognizes outstanding team spirit shown though costumes and outfits, team support, and other methods of standing out and raising attention. Teams that reach out to their schools and community to raise awareness of FIRST and their FTC efforts have done so in a variety of cool and inventive methods - this winner is no exception. Here is what the judges had to say:This team's success is enhanced by its partnership with another team from its city. Aside from this their TON of spirit had a great BEARING on our decision. We got a big KICK out of their SUPER attitude. Winner:Team 6200, The Sidekicks from Barrington, IL
Connect AwardThe Connect Award is a bit different than the Motivate Award. Winners of the Connect Award have done a great deal of community outreach not only to spread the word about FIRST but specifically to include engineers, scientists, and other technology professionals into their outreach efforts. This creates connections between teams, FIRST, and the professional world that can last years beyond their participation in FTC. Connect Award winners also develop and execute plans to fund their team including clear goals and objectives - including how they can give back to their community in the future. Here is what the judges had to say:This team really knows how to connect with the community. Their efforts gathered public notice. Their win was no counterfeit.
Winner:Team 7351, Dynamic Signals from Gurnee, IL
Rockwell Collins Innovate AwardThe Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is robot specific. It celebrates teams who come up with innovate solutions to the Game Challenge that most others have overlooked. These solutions can't just look good - they've got to work... at least most of the time. Historically, some of the most innovative breakthroughs in science and technology have come when fresh thinking is applied to a known problem. This year's Rockwell Collins Innovate Award winners demonstrated that type of thinking. Here is what the judges had to say:This team's robot was a cut above. Their platform gave them quite a lift. We flipped over their creativity.
Winner:Team 5209, Operation: BisonBot from Wood Dale, IL
PTC Design AwardWe are happy that PTC has offered to sponsor the PTC Design Award. The intent of this award is to expand the challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate industrial design into their robots. These elements can be shown in the simplicity of the design as it applies to the tasks, the look and feel of the robot, and how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The Design aspects must serve a function - but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion - not an easy task with a limited set of parts and game challenge. Here is what the judges had to say:Modeled after a square watermelon. With the density of a dying star. More functionality than a Swiss Army knife.
Winner:Team 7207, M-Fusion from Belvidere, IL
Think AwardEvery team at this event has had to think - hopefully a lot. The Think Award recognizes the team that has successfully thought, organized, and documented their journey from their starting point to their final design. The engineering notebook is the record of this journey. Just like in real life, teams that can document their process have the best chance at learning from it and improving on it. Here is what the judges had to say:The Think Award goes to a VETERAN team. Their competition was RED with technical envy. This team demonstrated that they didn't HORSE around.
Winner:Team 5200, Robot Incorporated from Barrington, IL
Inspire AwardThe Inspire Award is the highest award given by FTC. The winner of the Inspire Award is automatically eligible for advancement to the next tournament level. The Inspire Award winner is the 'prototype' for what we'd like to see all teams achieve as part of the FIRST Tech Challenge. They do many of the things mentioned in the other awards. The difference is that they've tied these together in a comprehensive manner resulting in success in the competition, outreach to the community, robot design, team spirit, and engineering accomplishment. That's a tall order but we've got some great candidates for this award today. Here is what the judges had to say:This team did finally get the hang of it. They've inspired others to join FIRST. Hats off to the team selected for the Inspire Award.
Winner:Team 7089, Cyborg Eagles from La Grange, IL
2nd Runner Up:Team 5200, Robot Incorporated
3rd Runner Up:Team 5209, Operation: BisonBot
Advancement Criteria to the 2013-2014 Illinois FTC Championship Tournament
Teams which Qualify for IL FTC Championship Tournment (6 Teams)
Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Team # 7089 6201 5200 5199 5209 5200 5200 5209 7351 TBD | Team Name Cyborg Eagles Bonzai Robot Incorporated Blockheads Operation: BisonBot Robot Incorporated Robot Incorporated Operation: BisonBot Dynamic Signals TBD | Award Inspire Award Winner Winning Alliance Captain Inspire Award 2nd Place Winning Alliance, 1st team selected Inspire Award 3rd place Winning Alliance, 2nd team selected Think Award Winner Finalist Alliance Captain Connect Award Winner Qualifier Host Team | Qualify for IL FTC Championship yes yes yes yes yes yes |