Page 6 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 2-26-16
P. 6
6 Desert Wings February 26, 2016
www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb
facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
6FRUSLRQ5RERWLFVWHDPWRFRPSHWHDWUHJLRQDOV
by Rebecca Amber According to this year’s coaches, For instance, in their first year, “They learn a lot of skills that learned how to think outside the box
Staff writer the game this time around was much team #7227 Scorpion Robotics they don’t learn otherwise; techni- while also using other team mem-
harder than in previous years requir- showed up at a competition with- cal skills and also just team building ber’s ideas, not just going off of my
Desert Jr.-Sr. High School robot- ing the students to be even more cre- out a part they needed and another skills,” said coach Michael Perron, own.”
ics team, #7227 Scorpion Robotics, ative in creating a robot that could team let them borrow what they 416th Flight Test Squadron. “And
is heading to the L.A. Regional Ro- score points. Meanwhile, the teams needed for the competition. This also just simple things like using a Caroline Deojay, grade 9, wants
botics Championship Tournament transitioned to new technology to year, another school’s team found wrench and a screwdriver.” to be a computer programmer
Feb. 27 in Monrovia, Calif. control their robots this year. themselves without a critical item at someday. Not only did joining the
a competition. Rather than watching Joseph Santiago, grade 12, is in Scorpion Robotics team give her a
Since the Desert Robotics club Last year, the teams used laptops that team forfeit, the Desert High his second year on the team. Next chance to practice her programming
was founded three years ago, it’s and a router to control the systems School teams lent a helping hand. year when he goes off to college he skills, it was an opportunity to make
grown to include 22 students, 10 RYHU:L¿1RZWKH\¶YHPRYHGWR will consider studying engineering, new friends.
coaches and three teams. Team an Android system and two phones. One coach noted that the teams something he had not thought about
#7227 Scorpion Robotics is the still forget things, but they’ve prior to joining the team. “When I moved here I didn’t re-
original team and was joined in the “They still need a laptop to do all learned what it’s like to show up at ally have a lot of friends and I’d al-
second year by team #9074 Scorpio- the programming, but then you use a competition unprepared and see “I never really understood how ways been interested in engineering
botics. This year a third team was WZRSKRQHV>2QH@SKRQHEHFRPHV another team show compassion to much I liked seeing things go to- and I just leaned towards robotics,”
established, #10187 The Heralds of basically like a flight computer create a fair competition. gether in an electrical and me- recalled Caroline.
the Sea. that runs the robot and the second chanical sense,” said Joseph. “I’ve
phone is what they use to control Now she’s learning all kinds of
All of the teams participate in the robot,” explained coach An- Desert High new things like how center of grav-
what is known as FIRST Tech Chal- thony Gore, 412th Test Engineer- School ity and torque work.
lenge, which is For Inspiration and ing Group. robotics
Recognition of Science and Tech- team, #7227 All of the coaches encourage stu-
nology. The end result is a more power- Scorpion dents who are interested in joining
ful system that keeps their learning Robotics, next year’s robotics teams to come
Each year at the start of the sea- more relevant. The students even is heading try it out.
son, a new “game” is released to had to program part of an app to get to the L.A.
all the teams. This year’s game their robots moving. Regional “If they come there day one, that
is called FIRST Res-Q. Students Championship ¿UH¶VWKHUH,I,JHWWKHPWKHUHGD\
work together to design, build and Last year teams #7227 and #9074 Tournament two, they’re hooked,” said Gore.
program their robot using sound wrote letters asking for grants to Feb. 27 in
engineering principles. At compe- purchase 3D printers. Both were Monrovia, The coaches don’t run the team
titions, they compete in an alliance awarded grants and each received a Calif. alone. They have a team of mentors
format against other teams. The printer that can be used to print 3D who volunteer faithfully at each
teams compete in two qualifying parts for their robots. Air Force photograph by Rebecca Amber practice. The Desert Robotics teams
tournaments and must qualify at one are always looking for additional
of those tournaments to advance to But it’s not all about technology mentors and new or used hand and
regionals. in the robotics club. power tools. For more information
about the Desert Robotics teams,
They learn to work in teams and or to donate tools email scorpion-
exhibit gracious professionalism. robotics@googlegroups.com.
FURNITURE AND STUFF FOR SALE
LÑćĊ
LÑČĊ
}|
IÑĉćĊ ĆĎċą
ććą
LÑċą
Armoire (40W x 19.5D x 76T). Night stands each with marble
tops. (Each about 42W x 17D x 33T). Headboard will work with ILÑčą
Washer still spins, dryer not sure (don’t have 220v).
either queen or full size bed.
Oven needs re-wiring. Very cool find!
~QċċĆRĎĆČIĆčĈĊ6(
1~
