9765 Mechanized BaconSummary Page 4-H is a hands-on based organization where youths learn skills that will serve them through their entire lives. Project based learning is a pillar of the 4-H program. 4-H projects are designed to build self-confidence, personal responsibility, self-discipline and achievement in an atmosphere that is fun. Because the FIRST Robotics program has similar goals, it was determined that our robotics club would participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). We try to be as efficient as possible, but the best part about our team is that even if we don't win, we know what to do to improve the next time. And we have fun while doing it. Our FTC Rookie year was sponsored by Jim Bates in memory of his loving wife Linda Bates who had passed away the year before. Linda Bates was one of the founding leaders of Atlantic County 4-H Robotics Club. The memorial funds helped us to purchase our game field & equipment supplies but now we are focusing on keeping her memory and dream alive by growing our team and sharing our love for robotics with the community. We have taken opportunities to reach out to our area through different outreach events: Free Comic Book day at the Hamilton Mall, our annual Atlantic County 4-H Fair & the 4-H open house. We have more plans to reach out to local schools and are currently putting that in motion with help from our local Rutgers Extension office. .
We are a Third-year FIRST Tech Challenge team consisting of 8 members. We are located in Mays Landing New Jersey We strive to innovate, collaborate, and share our experiences with others
How does the game work?
In September, the mission for the FTC is released, and the teams get busy preparing for the competition. The robot can be built with TETRIX, Lego, or MATRIX, and other additional materials can be used if they don’t violate the rules mentioned in the game manual. The programming is done with Android Studio and Java. Every year, the missions are different, but the basic format of it stays the same – 30-second autonomous period and two minute driver-controlled period. In each match, four teams of two alliances, red and blue, compete. Teamwork is important because the alliances will be the teams that we have never worked together before. For scoring, there are two different types of points, QP (Qualifying Points), and RP (Ranking Points). Two points of QP is given for the team who won the match and one point for tying. RP is given in the amount of the score of the losing team in the match. QP is used to determine the rank, and RP is used as the tiebreakers. In the final elimination match, the highest-scoring teams from the qualification matches become the alliance captain and choses one or two other teams to become alliances. One last important rule - all teams must wear safety glasses in the game fields! The regional rounds start in November, so the teams have two months to prepare. Each team has to compete in the regional rounds first, and the highest-scoring team gets to participate in the World Championship held in Saint Louis. Teams from various countries come and enjoy the World Championship.
Robotics is…
Programming, Engineering, Building, Teamwork, Social Media, Videography, Scholarships, Challenging, Learning, Interviews/Presentations, Electrical Engineering, Photography, CAD/3D Printing, Design, Public Speaking, Research, Inventing, Leadership, Website Design, Business/Strategic Plan Writing, Friendship, FUN!