There wasn’t a single moment when adrenaline levels weren’t through the roof in the stands and on the field at Brunswick Eruption hosted by North Brunswick High School on November 9th. Despite having to relocate to Linwood Middle School last minute, Brunswick Eruption was yet another successful off-season event that allowed different teams to come together in a creative space. The matches got intense, rockets and cargo ships were filled, and alliances were made. The energy created by everyone in attendance made it difficult to look away; the spirit that is always at FIRST competitions was shown through all the teams who came from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The drive team and everyone in the stands was exhilarated to cheer on Nemesis. 

Brunswick Eruption was the final goodbye to the 2019 game challenge, Destination Deep Space. Each robot would have to pick up hatches or cargo balls and place them in rockets and cargo ships. Every match with this challenge is always a surprise; there are endless possibilities with what can happen on the field. Whether it be the grueling defense or strategic placing of the hatches and cargo, this game challenge always kept everyone on their feet.

After the first couple of qualification matches, Nemesis proudly ranked number two out of the 38 teams at the competition; closely behind the hosts of the event, FRC team 25, Raider Robotix. Tensions in the stands were high--anything could happen any minute. Carefully observing the robots, the scouts were meticulously taking notes to aid in picking our alliance later on.

Just like that, 2590 took the lead. Gaia didn’t hesitate; moving fast and gracefully, it always managed to get a reaction from the crowds everytime it smoothly placed a hatch or cargo. The drive team was working hard in and out of the pit, always on their toes for whatever was coming next. Of course, with competition comes challenges. One of the shafts broke off from the robot that caused difficulty driving and steering the robot. However, the driver, Griffin David, and the rest of the drive team still managed to work around the challenges and won the matches. 

Winning all qualification matches, Nemesis enthusiastically progressed into quarterfinals and semifinals. When the time came to choose alliances, Nemesis chose team 225 (ranked 2nd) and team 303 (ranked 31st). Both teams gracefully accepted the alliance. As a part of the red alliance, Nemesis powered through quarterfinals and semifinals, winning all four matches. Prior to the nail-biting finals match, members of the Nemesis team were sure to show spirit and support their robot.

Everyone was on their feet for the final match, making sure not to miss a beat. Cheers erupted from the audience everytime Nemesis skillfully scored points; everyone in the stands and on the field was focused, watching with anticipation. The two final matches were suspenseful; when Nemesis won them 73-65 and 68-60, celebrations commenced and it was final; Nemesis won Brunswick Eruption 2019!

It was many members’ first FIRST competition, and they all left the competition satisfied and astonished. Build Chief Technical Officer, Gurveer Grewal explained, “Watching the stands erupt after the last match filled my heart with gratitude. Regardless of whether we won or not, it was a great feeling to work with my teammates and do what I love.”

As the Nemesis representatives went onto the field and accepted their trophy, all mentors and members of the team felt extremely proud of all of their work and payoff. Brunswick Eruption was an extraordinary event and created yet another opportunity for FRC 2590 to spread its wings in competition. Nemesis looks forward to upcoming events, like Discovery Day and the forthcoming season.

Nemesis 2590 would like to extend its gratitude towards the wonderful sponsors who made this season possible: Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

As newspapers flew around the technology lab, students combined forces to solve an engineering challenge to build the tallest tower that could support a soccer ball.. Four years in the making, Nemesis Engineering Day was nothing ordinary; it was a session filled with craziness, excitement, and anticipation. Spanning two days, Engineering Day fostered and created opportunities for students to explore S.T.E.M by presenting an engineering based challenge to 5th-8th graders.

Students entered their sessions with optimism and eagerness to learn. Nemesis student mentors presented the engineering challenge: Following the presentation, the mentors joined with the campers to form teams of two. 

The challenge- seemingly daunting and complex- required teamwork, aptitude, and determination in order to succeed. With only masking tape and newspapers, students had to put their engineering and design skills to work. Not only did the restriction of materials serve as a constraint, there were additional rules that prohibited students from taping the ball to the newspaper and the entire structure to the ground.

Despite such barriers, all students worked productively with their teammates and mentors to implement their intricate and unique designs. After working for some time, students finally began testing their towers. Although, concepts varied, all the models were able to successfully hold the soccer balls at breathtaking heights. Some were even above eight feet!

Students also had the opportunity to explore the NAO Robot, an AI robot that can solve algebraic math problems, drive the 2019 award-winning competition robot Gaia, and play the First Tech Challenge (FTC) game. 

Last, but not least, students enjoyed a pizza lunch while telling tales of their success. All in all, students experience a life-changing moment as they were exposed to STEM .They also developed other critical skills such as communication, team work, and resilience.  The student mentors also gained valuable skills as they worked with the campers and realized the joy of bringing engineering to the next generation..

Thank you to all who attended! We hope to see you next year!

Nemesis would like to thank their sponsors: Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Coldwell Bankers, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

From April 24 through April 27, 408 of the most elite First Robotics Competition teams converged at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan for the largest event of the year; the FIRST Championship! For the eighth consecutive season, Nemesis qualified and competed with these international, prestigious teams. 

As the first day of the tournament began, Nemesis prepared for qualification matches by setting up their pit station, participating in practice matches, and pre-scouting other teams. Tirelessly working, Nemesis ensured that all of these tasks were completed thoroughly, ultimately preparing them for take off.

Following April 24, Nemesis competed in their qualification matches. Competing in the Carson Division, Nemesis contested with 67 other teams, aiming to achieve the number one rank. Throughout 10 qualification matches, Nemesis consistently fought hard, putting up impressive statistics across major categories.

Throughout the competition, there was much excitement as team members had the opportunity to partake in many activities in the Cobo Center, mostly revolved around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These included listening to guest lectures, visiting the amazing Innovation Faire, and connecting with diverse teams. 

After two days of 114 qualification matches, the stage intensified as the alliance selection process was to take place the following morning. Despite the fear of not getting selected, Nemesis remained calm and collected, letting its hard work determine its fate. 

Prior to the alliance selection process, members maintained keeping their composure. One senior, Rahul Sawant stated, “ Our work speaks for itself. We’ve given our best efforts and have done a great job. Now all we can do is wait.”

During the second round of the alliance selection, Nemesis erupted from the stands as they were invited to join forces with the sixth alliance. Graciously accepting, this alliance was led by FRC 4362 Gems, who selected 1768 RoboChiefs in the first round, and eventually completed the alliance by taking 3314 Mechanical Mustangs. 

Entering their first elimination match, the sixth alliance remained focused on implementing a successful strategy. During this match, the sixth alliance competed to the best of their abilities, but came up short, losing by a fine margin. Following this loss, Nemesis regrouped with their alliance to develop a new strategy. Approaching their second quarterfinal match, Nemesis concentrated on keeping their season alive, and giving their alliance the opportunity to potentially advance in the competition. 

Finally, the second match began with the alliance attempting to score points in the sandstorm round. As the match continued, Nemesis put its maximum effort to do whatever it took to win this match. From playing defense to placing pieces, Nemesis showed its commitment to the alliance. Similarly, their alliance partners also displayed tremendous efforts. Unfortunately, the sixth alliance lost this match, ending their 2019 competition season. Despite being eliminated, Nemesis continued to prove itself as a dominant force as they were semifinalists in two events, quarter finalists in one other event, and the alliance captain of the winning team at one event. Having a successful competition season, Nemesis will look forward to replicating their success by competing in multiple off-season events soon.

Thank you to our proud sponsors Robbinsville High School, Navair, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, Nordson, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Johnson & Johnson, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, Church & Dwight, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

Eagerly and anxiously watching the screen at the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Championship, Nemesis awaited the announcement of the teams who qualified for the FIRST World Championship in Detroit. “One more: 2590!” The pit area was filled with shouts of joy. They had done it once again! For the eighth year in a row, Nemesis was advancing to Worlds. Entering the Mid-Atlantic Championship ranked third in the district, Nemesis put on an excellent performance.

This competition, hosted at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, consisted of 120 qualification matches. Based on the result of the qualification matches, the alliance selections took place, in which the top eight ranked teams chose their respective alliance partners. Each alliance contained three teams that competed to become champions of the Mid-Atlantic District through the elimination rounds. This year, 60 robots competed; each eager to advance to the FIRST World Championship.

Nemesis battled through twelve difficult qualification matches, scoring several hatch panels and cargo during each match. Despite several challenges, the team’s robot, Gaia, remained strong throughout the competition. After every match, the pit crew worked diligently, repairing the robot in preparation for the next match. When Nemesis was on the playing field, team members in the stands jumped up in support of the drive team and Gaia, holding large glowing signs. Every time the robot climbed to the Level 3 platform, cheers erupted from Nemesis’s portion of the stadium. By the end of the qualification rounds, Nemesis had scored a total of 357 cargo and 152 hatch panels.

Throughout the event, scouts collected data on other teams’ robots in order to create an effective strategy. The scouts observed each match closely and took notes on helpful information that would benefit the team. While the pit crew made quick improvements to the robot, members of the marketing team captured the interests of the judges by explaining Nemesis’s structure, sustainability, and excellent community outreach programs to compete for the Entrepreneurship Award.

During the alliance selections, Nemesis was chosen by the eighth alliance, comprised of FRC Team 2577 Pingry Robotics and Team 5895 Peddie School Robotics respectively. Nemesis contributed their abilities and strategies in preparation for the first quarterfinal match.

Unfortunately, Nemesis exited the competition after encountering a narrow defeat to the first seed alliance. Nevertheless, it was a great experience for the team. Many challenges were overcome by Nemesis throughout the competition, a truly inspiring and phenomenal accomplishment. Kavya Velliangiri, a sophomore on the pit crew, noted, “Even through many  obstacles, the team still managed to rebound and perform well. The support from the team members in the stands was amazing and so encouraging!”

In the end, Nemesis left Lehigh University with a spot in the FIRST World Championship. After a win in the Bensalem District Competition, battling to the semifinals at the Mount Olive District Competition and Central New York Regional, and becoming quarter-finalists at the Mid-Atlantic Championship, Nemesis looks forward to culminating an exciting competition season at the FIRST Championship this April.
Nemesis 2590 would like to thank extend its gratitude towards the wonderful sponsors who make this season possible: Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

It was a frigid, winter day in Utica, New York as robotics teams from around the world shook the stands of SUNY Polytechnic Institute for the Central New York Regional Competition from March 13 - March 16, 2019. The crowd watched anxiously as they waited to see which alliance’s rocket would be the first to soar skyward. “And the winner of this match is…. the blue alliance!” The crowd jumped with excitement. Nemesis 2590, along with alliance partners Team 4083, The Iron Wolverines , Team 3044, 0xBE4, and Team 639, Code Red Robotics, advanced to the semi-finals after beating their opponents with a score of 52-38! After a weekend full of tense matches, optimism and excitement exploded throughout our team making us believe that we will make it to the finals!

Nemesis was hungry for a win following their semi-finalist finish at Mount Olive High School. The Drive Team (seniors Rahul Sawant, Alex Keller, Richa Mandrekar, and Harsh Padhye, along with junior Gurveer Grewal) battled tirelessly through every match to secure the maximum amount of points. The pit crew (Nolan Quon, Peter Mathews, Connie Mehl, and Mathew Joseph) worked after every match to run system checks and reamp the robot to increase Nemesis’ competitiveness. The Strategy Team leads (Chinmay Savanur and Bhargavi Lanka) analyzed every robots’ performance to determine which team would provide us with the best chance for success.

Throughout the qualifying matches, Nemesis started small, testing strategies and implementing new subsystems. After every match, the pit crew determined what to improve for future matches. Concurrently, the Marketing Team’s amazing presentation along with their stellar business plan wowed the judges, resulting in a Nemesis win of the Central New York Regional Entrepreneurship Award. This took a full team effort from the Marketing Team who presented the team’s operations and outreach efforts to judges. When asked about winning the award Likhitha Patlolla, the Director of Marketing, commented, “It was incredibly gratifying to see our hard work recognized with the Entrepreneurship Award!”

During alliance selections, Nemesis, the 6th seeded alliance captain, chose Team 0xBE4, and Code Red Robotics to join them for the elimination rounds. Nemesis scored a great amount of points during the quarter-final rounds, getting their robot to the second level of the Hab Station. With around twenty seconds left of the match, OxBE4 raised their rocket on to the third level, giving the alliance enough points to move to the semi-final rounds. The semi-finals proved to be a tough challenge to overcome for Nemesis. Unfortunately, the alliance lost its partner, Code Red Robotics, due to a malfunction. To combat that, a substitute, The Iron Wolverines, joined the alliance playing a critical role defensively. Despite the valiant efforts of Nemesis and the rest of the alliance, the opposing team took the victory.

Nemesis left the competition more determined than ever to continue improving for their upcoming competitions, the Bensalem District Event and hopefully the Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition.

Nemesis would like to thank our gracious sponsors: Robbinsville High School, Navair, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Picatinny Arsenal, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Lockheed Martin, Robbinsville Education Association, Investors Bank, SkyLink Technologies, CCC, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Gilbane, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, Triangle Copy, DesignTree, and Coldwell Bankers.
 

Robbinsville High School’s FIRST Robotics Team 2590, Nemesis, was thrilled to support alumna Jolia Thadal as she partnered with the Center for Panamanian Women (CEMP) from February 7-12, 2019 as she ran a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) seminar. CEMP is a non-governmental, non-profit organization which works for the empowerment of women and children in pursuit for a fairer society without violence.

The team sent the supplies, a bilingual instructional video, and the written guidelines necessary to create a Scribble Bot challenge for 50 children, enabling the children of CEMP to create a small robot which makes artistic designs using markers, a battery, a plastic cup, and a small motor. Each child was encouraged to innovate and create their own unique designs.

Many Nemesis team members first fell in love with engineering by playing with LEGOs. Through a collective effort with the Robbinsville community, Nemesis successfully coordinated a month long LEGO Drive in which over 160 pounds of gently used and new LEGOs were collected to provide the Panamanian children of CEMP the opportunity to creatively explore the wonders of engineering.

John Exner, a freshmen member on the team, expressed, “It was a privilege to be able to contribute to such a charitable cause. Thank you to those of the Robbinsville community, who graciously donated to our LEGO Drive. By the conclusion of it, our team was able to raise an outstanding 162.5 lbs of LEGOs! It is satisfying to know that all the hours we spent collecting and packaging the LEGOs was worth it. I hope the children in Panama find as much joy playing with the LEGOs as we once did and that it inspires them to pursue careers in STEM fields”.

To spread the STEM message locally, Nemesis runs Robotics Discovery and Engineering Day camps annually for elementary and middle school students. The team was grateful for the opportunity to expand internationally once again after last year’s House of Hope Project in Haiti. Discovery and Engineering Day campers loved playing with the Nano Hexbugs, mini robots given at the camps; this inspired Nemesis to send Hexbugs to fascinate the children of CEMP in Panama with the joy of robots.

Marie Thadal, who volunteered in Panama and participated at the STEM seminar, had this to say about the experience,“The project with the children was amazing. At first glance they were a bit shy and unsure of what this whole project was about. Within half an hour or so after they watched the video, the first scribble bot was running, then the next. You can’t imagine their smiles when they realized they built this little guy. All the helpers, myself Patricia Akiens PhD, Marylynn Halland Seceritariat General of the IFSCC led by Jolia were just as amazed as the children. Thank you so much to the entire team.”

Nemesis hopes that the STEM seminar inspired the children of Panama to become future engineers and innovators.  

Thank you to our proud sponsors Robbinsville High School, Navair, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, Nordson, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Johnson & Johnson, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, Church & Dwight, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

In the midst of statewide freezing temperatures, excitement filled Robbinsville High School (RHS) as sponsors, politicians, and community members converged at Nemesis’ 7th Annual Sponsor Networking Night. The event provided the opportunity for attendees to converse, watch engaging presentations, and drive Nemesis’ 2018 award winning robot, Fury, all while partaking of the delectable snack options set out by the team. Not only is it an opportunity for sponsors to network among themselves and learn about the team's previous season, it is an opportunity for Nemesis to show appreciation.

The night began with pairs of students greeting and introducing themselves to invited guests. After attendees were greeted, the Build and Marketing Teams offered presentations on their respective subteams. On behalf of the Build Team, senior executives Rahul Sawant and Richa Mandrekar provided a detailed explanation of the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Game Challenge, explained the functions of common robot parts, and even gave a sneak peak of Nemesis’ 2019 prototype. After a tour of the RHS Technology Lab, students answered technical questions, and provided an in-depth analysis of the six-week build season.

Across the hall, senior Likhitha Patlolla and juniors Noel Varughese and Michael Lim wowed the audience with their presentation showcasing Nemesis’ extensive community outreach followed by a  recap of Nemesis’ highly successful 2018 competition season. The team highlighted their most recent outreach event, a LEGO drive to support the STEM camp curriculum and supplies donated to children of the Center for Panamanian Women.

In addition to the presentations, attendees jumped at the opportunity to drive Nemesis’s 2018 competition robot. There was more excitement to be found as everyone watched the Nao humanoid robot perform complex dances and show off its mathematical skills. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to mingle and ask questions of the students in small personal groups.

In 2007, Nemesis began as a 14 member team. Nemesis is currently a 60 student strong nonprofit organization. Nemesis takes great pride in their technical accomplishments and community outreach efforts. None of this would be possible without the support of Robbinsville High School, their sponsors, and the community.

Nemesis is a 501(c)(3) organization and would like to thank their sponsors: Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

Thanks, in part, to Nemesis and the Project Lead the Way curriculum, Robbinsville Township has propelled itself into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). Its students actively participate in technology courses and clubs. On January 29th, Nemesis focused on the roots of Robbinsville Township: agriculture. Teammates Gurveer Grewal, Zachary Harris, and Likhitha Patlolla paid a visit to the Robbinsville Leafy Green Machine, a hydroponics facility used for sustainable horticulture. Hydroponics is a rather unique agricultural accomplishment. Rather than soil, plants are grown in a mineral solution. The Leafy Green Machine utilizes hydroponics along with other techniques to streamline efficiency. Hearty greens are grown vertically to preserve storage space. Water is fed through vertical feeding tubes and the excess is drained and reused. Computer regulation systems work around the clock, meticulously modifying pH levels, LED lighting frequencies, humidity levels, and nutrient supplies. Overall, the Leafy Green Machine showcases the advancements and strides Robbinsville is taking towards a sustainable community.

Nemesis met with the Hydroponics Farm Coordinator Kyle Clement to begin their tour. Afterwards, the Nemesis teammates began discussing the possibilities of Robbinsville High School’s involvement with Robbinsville Hydroponics. “The tour provided great insight into a very interesting concept. The Leafy Green Machine was amazing in that it showed me how STEAM can help develop and improve even the simplest concepts, like farming. Thank you Mr. Clement for helping to both start such a project and include our team in its plans for the future.” remarked Gurveer. Indeed, the Leafy Green Machine presents an amazing opportunity to contribute to Robbinsville’s sustainability and Nemesis eagerly awaits these possible opportunities.

Team Nemesis 2590 would like to thank Robbinsville Hydroponics and Kyle Clement for providing a wonderful tour and an opportunity to serve the Robbinsville community in the near future.   

We would love to thank our sponsors. We can’t do it without you!  Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

With T-Minus 33 days until Build Season is complete, team Nemesis has been working hard to make sure that the subsystems on the robot will be up to the challenge.

Prototypes for subsystems were carefully crafted in small teams. Underclassmen were able to partake in this process, allowing them to be involved and work hands-on as new members of the team. Being able to witness and participate in the prototyping process provides them with valuable skills and they are able to learn how to use various tools such as the rivet gun, the drill press, and the router.

Some solidified designs have been made including a hatch intake and drivetrain. A cargo shooter that can shoot from below the ports has also been constructed. The team is currently working on refining these designs in order to seamlessly integrate them. The last subsystem prototype on our agenda is a Level 3 climber for the Hab.

Our main obstacle this week has been integrating the subsystems of the robot. While we have a multitude of proven prototypes, our design team is working diligently toward making all of the subsystems work in harmony for the best possible result.

The upcoming week will consist of finishing up our final design and starting to fabricate parts for the actual robot. With the next week comes exciting new possibilities and the team is excited to see what the future holds for the remainder of Build Season.

It’s that time again! This year’s FIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Kickoff! on January 5th, 2019 marked the start of a new build season for nearly 4,000 FRC teams worldwide. FIRST Robotics strives to bring the competitive spirit to students passionate about STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) through inventive challenges.

Over 30 local teams attended the Kickoff! at Montgomery High School including Nemesis from Robbinsville High School, S.P.I.K.E from Hopewell Valley and Peddie School Robotics. The day began with students taking advantage of the golden opportunity to attend a multitude of workshops which included the following: Optimized Fundraising, CAD(computer-aided design), Bumper Design, Sensors, and Autodesk Inventor.

Up next, the big reveal.

The tension in the room was thick as the students anxiously waited for the challenge, broadcast live from FIRST headquarters in New Hampshire. Sara Marincas, a Nemesis freshman gushed, “After hearing about previous competitions, I looked forward to my first Kickoff! and couldn’t wait to find out about this year’s challenge!” The countdown began; T-minus: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Introducing the 2019 FIRST Robotics challenge: Destination: Deep Space.

Teams build competitive robots in six short weeks with limited finances and resources. This year’s game is played with two alliances of three robots each. Each alliance has two rocket ships and a smaller cargo ship. The game begins during a sandstorm where operators are unable to see their robots and must use pre-programmed instructions or vision technology to begin the match. To score points, the robots load their cargo and hatch panel game pieces onto the ships. The teams place balls (cargo) onto the ship and cover it with a disc (hatch panel) to secure it.

Following the reveal, whispered robot ideas could be heard everywhere. Griffin David, a Nemesis freshman described his first Kickoff! as “an amazing experience that left me with a rush of excitement for the upcoming season.”

Teams hurried out of the auditorium, to their respective schools, eager to start brainstorming and prototyping their robots. “As my final build season begins, I can’t wait to see what our strategy team comes up with. This looks like it's going to be an exciting ride,” extolled Rahul Sawant, Nemesis senior.

Nemesis will be competing at Mount Olive on March 9th-March 10th; The Central New York Regional on March 14th-16th; and Bensalem on March 30th-March 31st. All events are free and open to the public.

Nemesis would like to extend great thanks to their generous sponsors: Robbinsville High School, Navair, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, Department of Defense STEM, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Nordson, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Princeton Sports & Family Medicine, DesignTree, EAG Laboratories, RAS Process Equipment, Robbinsville Education Foundation,  Sharbell Development Corp., Computer Components Corp., Gilbane Inc., Northstar Vets, Triangle Copy, Coldwell Banker, and Skylink Technology Incorporated.

The moment the curtain dropped to reveal the 2019 playing field, Nemesis was instantly bursting at the seams with ideas on how to solve every problem they would face.  After a double speed read of the game manual, the team was ready for brainstorming. Ideas ranging from cranes to catapults were presented. The team split up into small groups, where every team member drew out any and all ideas they had.  Each small group made a design using aspects from all the contributions. The entire team reviewed all the small group designs, effectively giving the entire team insight into the ideas of others, and additional potential solutions to all of the tasks to be completed.  After two days of brainstorming, the prototyping phase was ready to begin.

The team decided that the main subsystems that needed to be built included: a cargo intake, a hatch intake, a way to place game pieces on the cargo ship and rocket, a drive train, and a way to climb.  Again, the team was broken up into sub teams, one for each subsystem. The sub-teams proceeded to build prototypes. Some succeeded wonderfully, while others failed. Ideas quickly evolved, sometimes coming full circle, or slowly transforming into an entirely new idea.  Some ideas were abandoned, while others branched off into completely new directions. Major progress was made with the cargo carriage system and the hatch intake system. Although these prototypes worked well, the team still tweaked them and made small changes to make them even better.

The build season to come will bring many challenges, but with some more hard work and determination, the team will thrive!

Following days of presentation rehearsals, button making, and robot maintenance, Nemesis 2590 was ready to inspire the youth of Robbinsville. On November 17, 2018, these teammates made their way to the Robbinsville Public Library to present to the next-generation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enthusiasts the history of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and Nemesis 2590. Following a detailed presentation of FIRST, Nemesis’ sub-teams, the 2018 FRC game challenge, and Nemesis’ award winning robot Fury, the attendees had a blast playing robot inspired mini-games.

To many of the Nemesis presenters, this demonstration was invigorating; “It presented an opportunity to interact with and hear the ideas of the future of FIRST,” remarked Marketing team member Michael Lim.

The children present were fully briefed on the machinations of FIRST. From learning about the opportunities of FIRST Lego League, to seeing firsthand the impact of FIRST on its community, these attendees were informed and enthused. They learned in detail how Nemesis helped turn the FIRST message into reality. Nemesis’ annual Robotics Discovery Day was a particularly interesting topic, as parents and children alike inquired of the possibilities of the robotics half-day day-camp. Attendees were then shown videos of Nemesis in action while the competition season was discussed. As Fury was shown in its prime, its robot-carrying wings became particular items of inquiry.

Then came the action. The children raced to build their own gamecube pyramid, striving to replicate the one built by Fury. The children had a blast, and concluded their fun with ample take-home buttons, tattoos, Fury statistic cards, robot pictures, and high-fives. Overall, the Library Demonstration was a resounding success.

“The Library Demo was really cool because we could see how the future of STEM is being shaped. To see firsthand, the excitement that the children held towards our robot and FIRST in general was amazing,” stated Build team member Ashleigh D’Cruz. The Library Demonstration exemplified the amazing potential of the future of STEM.

Team Nemesis 2590 would like to thank the Robbinsville Public Library for providing this wonderful opportunity for inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

We would love to thank our sponsors. We can’t do it without you!  Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis

Ducking from flying paper airplanes and watching enthusiastic campers moving from station to station, it’s obviously Robotics Discovery Day at Robbinsville High School. This annual event, which took place on December 1st and 2nd, is incredibly popular amongst elementary-age students. It continues to remain successful, with all of the campers truly enjoying their experiences. 2018’s Discovery Day served as a great learning opportunity that allowed the young students to test their technical skills while solving open ended challenges while having fun.

The campers were tasked with building a paper airplane launcher. They experimented with different types of motors to create a design to launch their airplanes the farthest. Winners were based off of the longest glide time or the longest distance covered. Some airplanes flew as far as 60 feet! Campers also used LEGO Mindstorms to create a robot that participated in a tug of war battle or climbed an inclined plane.

Paired into groups of two or three, student teams worked with a high school mentor. Utilizing their creativity and mechanical skills, campers needed to be able to differentiate between sizes of gears in order to create a successful launcher design. Student mentors were incredibly impressed with the way campers faced obstacles. Anushka Pillay, a first-year student mentor whose team’s airplanes launched the farthest distance, noted, “The kids came up with innovative solutions to all of the problems they faced. Even though they were not very familiar with LEGO Mindstorms, they were still able to build a launcher with a creative design.”

Not only did the campers experiment with different motors, gears and designs, but they also worked together as a team. Cooperating with team members was essential to success, and campers were able to practice team-building skills throughout the event. Ritika Bhatnagar, a freshman on Nemesis, observed the excellent teamwork of her campers saying, “It was so cool watching them work together. They collaborated on ideas together and helped each other out.”

In addition to completing the challenges, campers took part in entertaining activities such as driving Nemesis’ mighty robot, Fury, and learning about the First Lego League (FLL). The FLL teams sparked interest in STEM by providing the campers with an in-depth explanation of their challenges. Campers also participated in a demonstration of the captivating humanoid NAO Robot.

The activities of Robotics Discovery Day had a wonderful impact on the campers. Swapna, a fourth-grade camper, exclaimed, “Discovery Day was so fun! I loved building the robots and launching the paper planes! Driving Fury was one of my favorite parts too. I really want to do robotics now because it seems so interesting!”

Thank you to those who participated! We hope to see you next year!

We would love to thank our sponsors. We can’t do it without you!  Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.

There was certainly no excitement spared today as Nemesis’s Fury participated in its final event of the year. Hosted by Raider Robotix at North Brunswick High School with over forty-two teams gathered from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, it provided a competitive atmosphere as teams competed for the penultimate off-season event of the year. Scouts watched diligently throughout each match, carefully jotting down notes and comments on every robot competing, aware of how decisive scouting is and how large a role it plays during alliance selections. After Nemesis finished the 18th edition of Ramp Riot as finalists last week, the team was fired up and ready to cap the season off with a top podium finish at Brunswick Eruption.

Through tough qualification rounds Nemesis rose from being ranked 23rd to ranked 3rd over the course of one match before finally finishing as the fourth seed. During alliance selection Nemesis was offered a spot alongside second seed FRC 271, Mechanical Marauders, but respectfully declined the offer. During the duration of the serpentine draft, Nemesis invited teams FRC 1089, Team Mercury, and FRC 5421, Birch Bots, to join their alliance. Nemesis’s alliance won through a third game tiebreaker against the fifth seed alliance; teams FRC 5599, The Sentinels, FRC 395, 2 Train Robots, and FRC 2601, Steel Hawks.

Unfortunately, Nemesis exited the tournament after a narrow defeat to the first seed alliance. With Brunswick Eruption marking the end of the 2018 competition season for Nemesis, many of the returning members reflected on what was one of the team’s most successful years in history. “In the end it’s all about teamwork and we worked the best we can and no matter the outcome. It’s not whether or why we lost it’s a matter of how we banded together as a family and that’s what FIRST is all about” said Harsh Padhye the Chief of Software.

Brunswick Eruption and Ramp Riot, however, were more than just the robots and accolades. These past two events also saw Nemesis try out candidates for the upcoming season’s drive team. With both drivers, Alex Keller and Nolan Quon, performing phenomenally throughout the qualification and elimination rounds it was unfortunate that Nemesis was unable to bring home the top prize in the past weeks. It was also during these events that seniors Richa Mandrekar, Chinmay Savanur, and Rahul Sawant were given the opportunity to try their hand at drive coaching. In addition, notable alumni such as Dahany Choi and Connor Hofenbitzer came out and showed their support for the team and demonstrated how once you’re a Nemesis team member, you’re always a Nemesis team member. The brand new leadership team felt more confident having alumni enthusiastically around the stands and pits, advising the new drive team, as well as pitching in during the strategy meetings.

What’s important to gather from these off-season events isn’t necessarily the competition results. It is about how the new members are transitioning into their new roles on the team. As Mr. Wolfe, team advisor, describes it, “We have participated in the most off-season events since the inception of the team; Brunswick Eruption, Ramp Riot, Midnight Mayhem, winning Girl Power and Havoc respectively, following on the heels of an awesome season. The high level point of that was that it allowed a large amount of underclassmen the opportunity to be on the drive team. The whole point of the off-season is to have fun and try out for the drive team.”

The drive team isn’t the only area of the team that seems to be thriving this year; the new pit team is assimilating remarkably well. “The newer people have been responding amazingly. We had a couple of tight spots these past few weeks and the team rose to the occasion and got it done. Especially last week was particularly tough with the smaller 4x8 pit with little space and they adapted well”, according to mentor Dr. Keller.

As the door closes on a historic season for Nemesis another door full of opportunities opens wide. With so much potential and a new team brimming with talent, only the sky's the limit for this new 2019 Nemesis team.

Nemesis would like to thank their sponsors: Navair, Robbinsville High School, Picatinny Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, DoDStem, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCL Label, Investors Foundation, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Robbinsville Education Association, Sharbell Development, RAS, Robbinsville Education Foundation, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, EAG Laboratories, DesignTree, CCC, Gilbane, Triangle Copy, SkyLink Technology, Inc., Coldwell Banker, and the family and friends of Nemesis.