On June 16th, we will be nominating 2 team captains, a safety captain, and a co. safety captian. If you want to have a say in these positions, you must show up.

~Zach

Team 2337 built their 2010 Breakaway robot to perform a specific strategy: support other robots. Despite several attempts throughout their two Michigan District events, the EngiNERDs were unable to carry out a successful suspension. During qualification match 80 of the Michigan State Championship, Team 2337 was able to pull off the first Suspension in the State, along with the help of Team 2959, The Robotarians from Coloma, MI. (photo credit: Daniel Ernst)

The suspension turned out to be one of the highlighted match finales of the Michigan State Championship, causing nearly all of the onlookers in the arena to rise to their feet and erupt in cheers and Patrons in the arena and pit area to rush to the field to witness the spectacle first hand. You can check out the video of this awesome match in High Definition on You Tube.

The EngiNERDs had a successful trip to the Michigan State Championship, finishing with a record of 7 wins, 3 losses and 2 ties throughout the qualification matches, and were ranked as the 10^th seed going into Alliance selection. Team 2337 advanced to 8^th place Alliance Captain and used scouting data to choose an alliance of Team 2619, “The Charge”  from Midland, and Team 226, “The Hammerheads” from Troy. This alliance went on to face the number one seeded alliance of Team 1918, “NC Gears” from Newaygo County, along with Team 469 “Las Guerrillas” and Team 2834 the “Bionic Barons,” both from Bloomfield Hills. Team 2337 and their cohorts were eliminated from the competition by the first seeded teams in two well-played matches, but a great time was had by all.

Team 2337 experienced many successes throughout the competition that were unrelated to the performance of the Robot, including Assistant Safety Captain David Butler’s reception of “Safety Star” on Friday. David was awarded this acknowledgement by the Michigan State Championship Safety Advisors for his, “noteworthy contribution to promoting a culture of safety and [as] a person that the rest of the FIRST community should emulate.” David was highlighted in the Pit Administration Station, and received a pin to wear in identification of his hard work.

Though the EngiNERDs did not receive any awards from the judges, they did earn the most coveted prize in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a bid to the World Championship Event, also known as “Nationals,” in Atlanta. Their stellar performance at the Kettering University District and the Ann Arbor District competitions coupled with their record at the Michigan State Championship earned Team 2337 a slot in the competition at the Georgia Dome and pit area in the World Congress Center. This is the second time that the EngiNERDs will be attending the Championship event since their Rookie year in 2008.

The students on the Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team experienced the true purpose of Gracious competition, through their participation in activities such as playing “Ninja” with students from other teams, having meals on the lawn and cheering in the stands with others, and of course, the floor is Lava!

Team 2337 would like to thank the Students, Mentors, Parents, friends, and family who made the Michigan State Championship Competition such a success. Your dedication and perseverance has helped the team rise to a high level of competitiveness, graciousness, and camaraderie. Thank you for all that you do. And of course, we’ll be seeing you in Atlanta! 

As all of you know (or should know, at least), we won the championship at the Ann Arbor District Competition along with Teams: 573, the Mech Warriors; and 66, the Flyers. It was a great three days for all of us, and I'm certainly proud to have been a part of our team when it won its first competition. Over the course of the day Saturday our robot looked absolutely fantastic, and all the hard work we put into it really paid off in the end!

 IT'S COMING...

Just three days left - the stakes are mounting. Last night, a couple of people stayed past midnight to get more work done. My department has mostly finished - there's just some sensors and motors to wire up. However, our ball manipulator is FAR behind schedule, and our lifter could be moving along faster, I think.

Last night was also Sadie's dance at the high school. All of the "cool" people stayed here at Premier to get work done, while the "slobs" went off to Sadie's.  As I posted on my Facebook page, "I'm ready to go on an adventure with my favorite, awesome, electronic lady and all my best friends tonight... at ROBOTICS!!! hahahahaha. No Sadie's for me!"

Either way, the tension's growing for competitions to start, as all of our official forms were due last week. I'm really looking forward to Kettering in two weeks. It'll be my first competition, to really experienced the FRC. I can't wait!

Colin S. "Canada"

Student Section Leader - Electrical Wiring

EngiNERDs Embroidery Apparel Order Form is now available!

The order form for the Embroidered EngiNERDs apparel is now available. Embroidered apparel, including Polo shirts, track jackets and hats are available to Team members, family, and friends of the EngiNERDs.The Optional Apparel Order Form for Embroidery is available for download. Please complete this form and turn it in with your order.

Orders are due, with payment, on or before Wednesday, Februrary 17, 2010. Please contact Brandi Bolinger with any questions.

Hello! 

           Today  (2-6-10) I worked on fixing our jaguars and learning how to program them, I also worked on semi wiring the robot.  Then, I organized most of the back room and swept the floor and cleaned our student’s mailboxes but I mostly picked up tools and put them away because a clean work area is a   safe, happy working area. After all of that I cleaned all of our safety glasses.  :)

                                                         - Jordan Nickola… (A.K.A Official Nerdling)  

Each year, Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST, creates a homework assignment for the students, mentors, parents, and Sponsors of FIRST Robotics Competition Teams. In the past, assignments have included an attempt to develop a database of current members and alumni, a push to create opportunities for FIRST to be featured in the media, and a request to contact your Congressperson and Senators and invite them to District, Regional and the Championship competitions.

This year, Dean's Homework encourages Students and Mentors to turn every FIRST Robotics Competition Event into a Spectator Sport. The indention is to fill the stands at every competition, and create standing-room only in every venue. Fans will be filled with the spirit of Gracious Competition, and watch all of the teams' Robots "compete like crazy, and treat each other well in the process." 

Students and Mentors on the Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team have sent invitations and VIP Pit Passes to all of the Team's sponsors, the Grand Blanc Community School Board, and Grand Blanc High School Administration. Students have been encouraged to get their peers involved with the team, and help with outreach projects within the community. Students and Mentors have been inviting their friends and family to attend our two District Competitions, and the Michigan State Championship. 

The Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team will be attending the Kettering University District Competition on Thursday, March 4, Friday, March 5, and Saturday March 6. The competition will take place at Kettering University's Connie and Jim John Recreation Center in Flint, Michigan. In addition, The EngiNERDs will also compete at the Ann Arbor District Competition at Skyline High School, in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 11, 12 and 13. 

Competitions are free and open to the public. Friends and family of the Grand Blanc High School Robotics Team are encouraged to attend throughout the three days of competition and practice. Spectators will enjoy watching practice and competition rounds, and may also take a tour of the Pit Area. The EngiNERDs will supply Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), such as Safety Glasses, for any visitors, which is required to enter the Pit Area.

For more information, please visit the EngiNERDs' Tentative Schedule of Events for the Kettering University and Ann Arbor District Competitions, or FIRST's information on all of the Michigan District Competition Events.

Scrip can help you earn money for Robotics!