F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Club
News and Announcements
-- Team Competes in Charleston, March 24-26
The team is competing in the F.I.R.S.T. regional competition in Charleston, SC, Thursday, March 24 through Saturday, March 26. Watch the team compete live online!
-- Team to Compete at Regional Competition at UCF March 10-12
The team will compete at the University of Central Florida Arena Thursday, March 10 through Saturday, March 12. Come out to root for your ThunderCats!
-- Robotics Team Featured in Tribune
-- 2011 Kick-off!
Dec. 6, 2010. Mandatory for all Robotics Team #3164 members, the FRC Season Kick-off will take place on Sat., January 8, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Jesuit's cafeteria. After the national broadcast of this year's game objectives, we will have breakout sessions to discuss the game and possible robot designs. All parents, sponsors, mentors and school leadership are invited to attend. Please RSVP regarding the number of people and lunches (meal costs TBA).
Team members, mentors and parents will watch a live feed of the FIRST broadcast over the NASA channel. This show will commemorate the 20th anniversary of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and describe the upcoming season robotic game requirements. This broadcast is seen live internationally. From this broadcast forward, all teams have only six weeks to design, construct, test, and ship their robots to a holding area awaiting delivery to the respective teams' first competition location.
-- ThunderCats Earn Top Two Rookie Awards and Invitation to Nationals!
March 14, 2010. Congratulations to Jesuit's Robotics Team for a tremendous performance at the Florida F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Regional Competition on March 11-13, 2010, in Orlando! Far exceeding expectations, the ThunderCats brought home the "Rookie All-Star Award" and the "Highest Seed Rookie Award." The team competed in a field of 53 teams from 11 states, out-performing 34 experienced teams, and the four other rookie teams. The Rookie All-Star Award includes an invitation for the ThunderCats to compete in the national championships in Atlanta on April 15-17.
-- National Competition Sponsors Needed
To participate in the national competition, the team needs to raise $10,000 to cover entry fees ($5,000), plus travel, lodging and meals. Many thanks to the Leto family and Tampa Brass and Aluminum for contributing once again as a team sponsor, after stepping up as the team's first sponsor for the regional competition. Several more sponsors are needed. To assist as a sponsor, please contact faculty moderator John Lacy.
-- Thank You Regional Team Sponsors!
Many thanks to our team sponsors that enable the ThunderCats to participate in the Regional Competition including: JC Penney, Mission Critical Systems, Inc., NASA, Tampa Brass & Aluminum, and WRB Enterprises.
-- Regional Competition at UCF Agenda. On March 11-13, our ThunderCats team comprised of Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names students will compete at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Florida Regional Competition. We invite all our supporters to come see us in competition. No admission charge; 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Complete Daily Agenda.
-- Ready, Set, "Breakaway!"
On Jan. 9th, the newly established Robotics Team attended the 2010 F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Kickoff at Beef O'Brady's. Our Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names Team, other teams, mentors, sponsors and parents gathered to hear details about the game the robots would partake in, which was announced to officially kick off the season. The game for this year is called "Breakaway." The team will have just six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robot to compete at the Florida Regional Competition at UCF in Orlando on March 11-13, 2010. Go Thundercats!
-- Six-week High School Robotics Build Season Starts Jan. 9th!
On Saturday, Jan. 9th, our Robotics Team attended the kickoff for the six-week build season, where the game that our team robot must had to compete in was announced. Currently the club consists of 23 Jesuit boys, two AHN girls and nine mentors. Over the following six weeks the team met every day after school and on some weekends to develop, plan, build and test their robot and game strategy. On March 11th the team will travel to Orlando to participate in the Florida Regional Competition. Special thanks to our club sponsors who have provided the club with the funding to cover our first season: JC Penney, Mission Critical Systems, Inc., NASA, Tampa Brass & Aluminum, and WRB Enterprises.
-- Pre-season Fun and Service Hours!
During the Jesuit vs. TC home game on Nov. 13th, our Robotics Club members had fun launching T-shots into the crowd with robotics gear courtesy of Team 79 from East Lake High School. A few weeks later on Dec. 12th, thirteen of our club members earned community service hours when they helped host the FIRST Lego League Competition at Patel/USF Elementary School.
-- NASA and JC Penney Grants Approved
The NASA grant drafted by Col. Schnitzer was approved and will be directly applied to our entrance fee of $5,500 at the F.I.R.S.T. organization. A second grant from JC Penney submitted by our regional director in Orlando was also approved! The grants have covered anticipated club expenses and clear the way for our team to focus on building a competition robot in January. The "Thundercats"Team 3164 of Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names students extends our deepest appreciation for all the support and encouragement!
-- WRB Enterprises on Board as a Team Sponsor!
Many thanks to Mr. Blanchard, CEO of WRB Enterprises for backing Jesuit's Robotics Team with funding and engineer support. The generosity of our sponsors are providing a fantastic kickstart to our new Robotics Club!
-- Thank You to Our First Team Sponsor!
Many thanks to our first team sponsor, Mr. Chris Leto and Mr. Sam Leto of Tampa Brass & Aluminum! The Robotics Club needs to raise $6,000 to compete in the F.I.R.S.T. national robotics competition in March.