The Girard Robocats, the high school Robotics team, held a fundraiser last month that is expected to be a keeper.
During the third weekend in November, team members cleaned mowers, sharpened blades, changed the oil and added fuel stabilizer. Customers were able to get all of this service for just $30.
In true FIRST Robotics fashion, the team got the idea for this innovative fundraiser from team 451, CatAttack, of Toledo. The TechnoCats have been doing this fundraiser for years and shared their ideas with the RoboCats, including a detailed manual which itemized everything needed to run the event, from materials and assembly line set-up to safety precautions. FIRST is based on gracious professionalism which instills cooperation and communication among competitors to best achieve desired results.
Build mentors Ashraf Hadi and community volunteer mentor Tyler Biddle, along with two parents, trained, assisted and supervised the student team members in the day-long project.
Anyone wishing to be placed on next year's list can contact Ashraf Hadi at 330-545-5431, Ext. 123.
The Robocats Team 379 will host a regional robotics competition, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Girard High School. The event is open to the public. Concessions will be available with proceeds benefiting the team.
During the event, 22 Northeast Ohio teams will have their chance to advance to the University of Akron Ohio FLL District Tournament Jan. 14 and 15.
The 2011 FLL Food Factor Challenge requires each FLL team to design and build an autonomous robot using LEGO Mindstorms kits and LEGO parts. To score points, a team attempts robot missions on a 4x8 competition table, where their robot interacts with LEGO mission models set up on a challenge-themed mat.
In addition to robot performance, teams are evaluated in the categories of research project presentation, robot design and programming, and core values. Trophies are awarded for top performers in each category. The highest honor at each competition - the Champion's Award - is awarded to the team that demonstrates the best all-around performance.
The NEOFRA regional competitions are developed by the Northeast Ohio FIRST Robotics Alliance (www.neofra.com), a partnership of Youngstown-Warren area FIRST robotics teams, with the assistance of the non-profit Eastwood Mall Art Outreach Gallery (www.artout-reach.org). Time Warner Cable joined forces with NEOFRA as the 2011 Title Sponsor of both NEOFRA events.