Discovering Innovation at Discovery Day 2015
On Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th, Robbinsville High School’s FIRST Robotics Team FRC 2590 Nemesis invited 2nd through 6th graders to venture into the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) for the day. In total, around 120 campers, split between four sessions, attended Nemesis’ Discovery Day at Robbinsville High School. These campers were separated into teams of two or three and paired with a Nemesis team member as a mentor, who served as guides to the eager campers.
Nemesis Discovery Day consisted of two unique challenges, one for second and third graders and another for fourth through sixth graders. The younger groups were tasked with constructing “robot soccer players” using legos and simple motors. The first robot they created had to be a goalie that “blocked” shots from the opposing alliance. The second robot they designed had to be able to shoot and score goals. Both robots were controlled by a switch box and connected to two motors, enabling campers to drive their creation. Robots then competed against opposing teams to try and score the most goals possible.
This small taste of the intricacies of engineering left the campers with a greater appreciation and excitement for world around them. As described by Nemesis mentor and sophomore Julia Ruch,”I absolutely adored watching my campers improve upon their already existing ideas. By the end of the day they were all miniature engineering prodigies and I loved it!”
For the other challenge, more experienced campers were put to the test using Lego NXT, a more advanced operating system, which could be controlled by a joystick or autonomously through a Lego Mindstorms program coded by the campers. They created robots that could play a game simulating a robotic version of Hungry, Hungry Hippos. After their robots were carefully assembled, the campers strategized a way to win each of the two-minute matches. In these matches, each team’s robot had to collect ping-pong balls with various point values and raced them back to their home corner.
The campers also had the opportunity to explore FLL (First Lego League) and meet with fourth through eighth graders on Team IDK and Team Shock Wave. The FLL team members and mentors showcased their 2015 season robot in order to excite the campers and promote the FLL program. They discussed the 2015 FLL Challenge, Trash Trek, an exciting environmentally- themed challenge in which teams raced to complete as many missions as possible in a limited amount of time.
Not only did the campers view Nemesis’ past competition robots, they also experienced driving Prince, the team’s 2012 basketball shooting robot, and Bellerophon, the team’s 2014 yoga ball shooting robot. Many of the campers were incredibly excited to have the opportunity to drive and control a robot as advanced as Prince or Bellerophon. Nemsis’ competition driver, Christian Gavalchin elaborated, “The campers were ecstatic, their faces were full of joy when they learned they would be able to shoot an NBA worthy robot.”
Campers also had the opportunity to interact with the highly interactive NAO humanoid robot. The NAO robot performed a routine including push-ups, and two dances Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the Macarena.
It was a successful weekend for all. Ping-pong balls flew, winning teams cheered, robot gears turned. Innovation was in the air. As the event came to a close, mentors bid adieu to their newfound friends and ended their session with a closing ceremony--and pizza, of course. As Build Team member and junior Michael Cocciolillo described the day, “I loved working with the campers and watching their love for STEAM grow. Discovery Day was definitely a great learning experience for the kids.” Discovery Day 2015 was a raging success and Nemesis looks forward to seeing familiar faces, as well as some new ones, next year.
