Well, it's not exactly October Sky...but the #1 son went roboting today. His school robot team competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Competiton in Rolla against other winners from around the state.
They had their first competition before Christmas, and qualified to go to this one. I think they placed 14th in their qualifying round, out of about 30 teams. It is the first year Newmentia has competed, and they are learning as they go along. For example, in the first competition, they had just the basic kit that is sent to all teams. Then they saw the extras that other teams had ordered, and how they strategized. One team parked their robot on the ramp and blocked their competitor from performing required tasks. At least that's how I remember #1 telling it.
Today was a rousing success. Newmentia and their three-member team placed FOURTH out of 33 TEAMS. I asked if they won a ribbon or a medal, and #1 said that only the top two teams won anything. To which I say, then work to be in the top two teams next year!
I am proud of the team and their efforts. They have stayed two hours after school for months, working on that robot. And now they are reaping the rewards. Of nothing. Heh, heh. I know they don't care about the material things like ribbons. It's the braggin' rights that count. And I think FOURTH PLACE is pretty darn good for their first year.
All hail the robot boys!
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5 comments:
congrats to your #1! I think 4th place is pretty impressive!
Kathy,
Thank you. I found out last night that the top two teams go on to the INTERNATIONAL competition in St. Louis in April. That's pretty exciting to think that our boys were only two places away from international competition.
#1 is content. He got a new robot team T-shirt from school for the competition, he won a free T-shirt while there, and he got a free dinner at Applebee's. What more could a 16-year-old ask for?
I'm impressed! Great job!
labbie,
The boys are going to be interviewed by the local newspaper. They are stoked.
That is wonderful! I hope you will post the interview! You must be beaming with pride!
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