EngiNERDs - Team 2337

We wish you Success!

Thank you to the 40 Teams that attended The EngiNERDs 2015 Day-After Kickoff Workshops. Whether you participated in the Strategy Dictates Design, Team Organization, Awards, or Kit of Parts build, THANK YOU!

Here is a behind-the-scenes look of what went into creating the Kit of Parts Chassis build a huge success, and allowed Team 2337 to assist FIRST Robotics Teams in creating over 30 moving chassis, less than 24 hours after Recycle Rush was announced.

Welcome to Recycle Rush!

RECYCLE RUSH is a recycling-themed game played by two Alliances of three robots each. Robots score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles, representing litter. In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all game pieces used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season

Read more on the FIRST Robotics Competition page.

2015 Day-After Kickoff Workshops

To help Teams develop a game strategy that is adapted for their specific abilities and needs, the EngiNERDs are hosting an interactive, hands-on workshops the day after FIRST Kickoff. Veteran and Rookie Teams are invited to attend, and will gain valuable knowledge about strategy, and have the opportunity to build their Kit of Part (KoP) Chassis. A new Team Organization workshop will help teams get prepared for the season and run smoothly.

When:
Sunday, January 4, 2015
9:30am - 9:50am - Kit Drop-Off
10:00am to 1:00pm - "Strategy Dictates Design" Seminar
1:00pm to 2:00pm - Lunch Break
2:00pm to 7:00pm - Kit of Parts Chassis Hands-On Workshop
3:00pm to 5:00pm - Team Organization Workshop

Where:
Kettering University, Flint, Michigan

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. Please contact one of the Team's Head Mentors with any questions or concerns.

Due to size regulations and safety concerns, this year's workshop will be limited to 15 members per Team, including students, parents and Mentors. We recommend a minimum of 3 students for Mechanical, 2 students for Electrical and 2 students for Programming, plus one Mentor for each Section. The Team Organization workshop is open only to Mentors.

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Interested in joining Team 2337?

Membership is open to all Students at Grand Blanc High School. There's something for everyone!

Student Information

Parent Information

Contact a Head Mentor

Directions to our Facility - Premier Tooling Systems

Meeting Location Directions

Play Games. Heal Kids.

Each year, the EngiNERDs participate in Extra Life, a 24 hour gaming marathon to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network at Hurley Medical Center in Flint.

This year, we're asking for your help. Support a Player. Join our Team. Come out for the Euchre Tournament. Do something to help us reach our goal.

When: October 18 at 10:00am to October 19 at 10:00am
Where: Premier Tooling Systems

Join Our Team or Make a Donation

2014-2015 VEX Game Challenge: SKYRISE

Each summer and fall, the EngiNERDs utilize the VEX Robotics Program to engage students in the off-season. The NERDs form four VEX Leagues (A, B, C and D Team), which are open to Grand Blanc Students graduating from 2015 through 2020. Meetings take on Mondays and most Thursdays.

Apply to Particpate

Team Member, Alumni and Partner BBQ

Click for more Information and RSVP

It's been seven years since the EngiNERDs began, and the Team would love to see all of its Team Members, EngiFam, Alumni and Partners at this summer's BBQ!

When: Saturday, August 9 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
(Movie on the Lawn starting at 10:00pm)
Where: Premier Tooling Systems

Tropical Smoothie & EngiNERDs Robotics Faire

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Please join us at the home of our Partner, Tropical Smoothie of Grand Blanc, for a Demo Day with a Tropical Twist!

The Team's 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition Robot, "Das Bull" (featuring "The Clawbots") will be out crusin' the parking lot. We'll have dancing, tattoos, and robots for you to drive.

Remember to stop by the restaurant, because Tropical Smoothie will continue their partnership with the EngiNERDs by donating 15% of your bill back to the Team. We truly appreciate your support.

When: Saturday, August 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Tropical Smoothie of Grand Blanc
2381 E Hill Rd #2, Grand Blanc Township, MI 48439

Check out our Team's Facebook Event Page for more information.

Summer and Fall Events

Wondering what the EngiNERDs are all about?

The Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team meets year-round and has events planned through the Summer and Fall. Events are open to the public, most are free!

Upcoming Events Schedule

EngiNERDs Qualify for World Championship in St. Louis

The NERDs are heading to the FIRST Championship in St. Louis on April 24 - 27, where 400 Teams from around the World will compete.

The EngiNERDs are seeking the support of the Grand Blanc Community and beyond. The Team is holding a returnable can and bottle drive on Saturday, April 19 in the Saginaw-Side of K-Mart's Parking lot.

The Team relies on the funds from this to help pay for the students to go to the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis at the end of the month. Students will be walking some of the subdivisions collecting cans and bottles, and we will be accepting drop-offs and donations at our camp in the K-Mart parking lot.

We will be collecting can tabs for our "Pulling Together for Faith" FIRST Philanthropy effort. For more information on how to join "The Pull", please visit our FIRST Forward page.

Click for More Information

NERDs Compete at Michigan State Championship

Heading into the Michigan State Championship, held at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, the EngiNERDs were ranked Number one, based on win-loss record and the awards the Team received.

The Robot played to a 11-5-0 record, earning the second seed Alliance Captain position, and allowed them to select Team 469, Las Guerillas (from International Academy of Bloomfield Hills(, and Team 2834, The Bionic Blackhawks (from Bloomfield Hills). The alliance was eliminated in the semi-finals by the Teams who went on to win the event.

The EngiNERDs earned the Motorola Quality Award, which Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication. At the conclusion of the event, the Team ranked 5th of 276 Teams in the State.

Troy District Competition Results

The Troy District Competition proved to be fierce, where the Team performed to a 14-4-0 record, earned the First seed position, paired up with Teams 3539, the Byting Bulldogs from Washington, and Team 3302 the Turbo Trojans from Clawson. The Allaince was eliminated in the finals.

The NERDs received the Xerox Quality Award, which Celebrates creativity in design, use of component, or strategy of play.

Team 2337 Wins St. Joseph District and Chairman's Award

The Grand Blanc High School FIRST Robotics Team 2337 had a great weekend at the St. Joseph District Competition. The EngiNERDs played to a 15-5-0 record throughout the competition, ranking fourth at the end of qualification matches. We were paired with the number one alliance of Team 3620, The Average Joe’s (from St. Joseph) and Team 1502, The Technical Difficulties (from Chelsea) and went on to take first place and win the competition in eight matches.

The EngiNERDs earned the Chairman’s Award, which is the most prestigious award at FIRST, and honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FRC on the ultimate goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today’s youth to become scientists, engineers, and technologists.

Our Team’s Safety Captain, Lily Eckman, received recognition as the “Safety Star of the Day”, along with #1 Pit Safety, and the “Hard Hat” industrial safety award from Underwriter Laboratories.

If you missed the St. Joseph District, you can watch our matches at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw_-zRz0sues3iuNTeQ4zH5Z3G8RDbW_Z and see photos of the event on the Team’s Flickr Page at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/114174886@N08/sets/72157643217062153/ . Our next competition is at Troy Athens High School on April 4th and 5th. All events are free and open to the public, please feel free to join us. If you can’t make it, a live stream of the competition can be found at http://www.twitch.tv/firstinmichigan starting at 9:30am on Friday.

EngiNERDs Win Kettering District & Engineering Inspiration

Team 2337 competed at the Kettering University FIRST Robotics District Competition on March 6, 7 and 8. Throughout the qualifications, the EngiNERDs played to a 10-1-0 record, with 640 Assist Points.

Along with the awesome alliance of Team 314, The Megatron Oracles from Carman-Ainsworth, and Team 5081, The Lumbernators from Bay City Academy, The EngiNERDs were able to sweep the eliminations and come home with gold.

The Team also earned the Engineering Inspiration Award, and will be competing alongside 14 other Teams for this award at the Michigan State Championship in April. The Engineering Inspiration award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.

Media coverage for this event was featured in the Grand Blanc VIew, thanks to Paula Kay Schmidt, and match video archives can be found on Team 2337's YouTube Channel for Aerial Assist.

Thank You, 2014 Partners!

Team 2337 would like to extend a grateful "Thank You!" to the people who have partnered with our organization for the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition Season. Your continued support makes this amazing program possible!

Interested in Partnering with the Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team? Click the button below for more information.

Program Partnership Information

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Issue One of the EngiTIMEs Newsletter has been released! Want to know what the NERDs are up to, or how you can get involved in this awesome program? Please take a look at the latest and greatest in the EngiTIMEs, where you can find NERDy News Now!

2014 FIRST Robotics Competition Game Announced!

AERIAL ASSIST is played by two competing Alliances of three robots each on a flat 25’ x 54’ foot field, straddled by a truss suspended just over five feet above the floor. The objective is to score as many balls in goals as possible during a two (2)-minute and 30-second match. The more Alliances score their ball in their goals, and the more they work together to do it, the more points their Alliance receives.

Information is courtesy of, and available on the FIRST Robotics Competition Website.

2014 Season Day-After-Kickoff Workshops

The EngiNERDs are hosting the Third Annual "Day After Kickoff Workshops" at Kettering University on January 5th.

Workshops will include "Strategy Dictates Design" in the morning, and "Kit of Parts Chassis Build" (mechanical, electrical and programming assembly of the KoP frame), and a "Team Organization" Workshops in the afternoon.

More Information

X-Fire Visits Grand Blanc Farmer's Market

Fresh fruits and vegetables aren't the only thing popping up at the Grand Blanc Farmer's Market. Thanks to FIRST Robotics Team 2337 - The EngiNERDs, respect for science, technology, engineering and math are also growing.

Members of the Grand Blanc community and surrounding areas got a chance to drive X-Fire, the Team's 2013 Michigan State Championship Finalist Robot, and learn about the great programs that FIRST has to offer for engineers of all ages.

More information on the Grand Blanc Farmer's Market can be found on their Facebook Page.

Extra Life - Play Video Games to Raise Money for Local Kids!

Each year, as part of our efforts to give back to the Community, we participate in Extra Life. The concept is kind-of like Relay for Life, because you create a Team that stays awake for 24 hours to raise money for an great cause, but we take it to the next level. We play video games for 24 hours for Children's Miracle Network at Hurley Hospital in Flint through an awesome organization, Extra Life.

This year, our students, mentors, parents, family, and friends hosted a huge LAN and Board Game party at Premier,and raised raising nearly $2,950.00 for Hurley. Our fundraising account is open through the end of the year.

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