2018 OHS Robotics
The Olney High School Robotics Team has been working hard over the last several weeks completing the requirements for the UIL BEST (Boosting Engineering Science & Technology) Robotics Competition. The team is participating in the UIL even through a hub based in McKinney, Texas - Collin County BEST hub or CoCoBEST.
Students have been meeting with their fellow team members during lunch and after school/football practice to work.
The requirements for the competition include a working robot who can scoop plastic bottles and aluminum cans for recycling while balancing and moving via programmed motors across a suspended 2x4 - the robot should simulate and industry bot that could be deployed to clean ocean waste, a 35-page (minumum) engineering notebook consisting of the complete engineering design process from start to finish of each component that was designed and fabricated for the robot, including a detailed description of the engineering design process used as well as any scrapped pieces and discarded ideas and a 2-5 page research essay of working robots in the industry who complete cleaning and recycling tasks for our oceans.
Additional requirements include programming using Robot - C, a coding language used with VEX robotics, website design to inform the public of our progress with the competition and advocate for cleaner oceans through recycling and awareness, social media and public relations via our Facebook page, business cards, promotional brochures, OHS Cub Newspaper and the Olney Enterprise.
Other requirements include an exhibit for competition day to show the judges a visual of our efforts in educating ourselves and others about the BEST Robotics contest, recycling, protecting our oceans and the aquatic habitats, team building and spirit project, such as a home-made flag to fly during competition to show school spirit, community/ school outreach by posting fliers around town and the community to boost OHS Robotics and raise awareness for recycling in our community and hosting a plastic bottle recycling campaign on campus, marketing our presentation by our students building a “company” who will manufacture and build ocean-cleaning robots for market, in addition students designing a prototype, planning a marketing scheme and developing financial goals in a “shark tank” setting.
Recently, the team took a field trip to Tower Fab in Olney, Texas, to see working robots in action in our local industry. The main focus of the trip was to learn more about machinery that are required to travel across tracks and beams to complete their jobs, as well as viewing robotic arm designs that could possibly be used on their robot.
Students have been learning fabrication safety and have had opportunities to utilize the Ag Shop and Ag teachers on proper use of tools. Students are also learning about the electrical wiring components used in the Cortex, battery, DC motors and servos, as students are responsible for completing all wiring of the robot.
On Oct. 12, the team will go to Denison High School for check-in, compliance and exhibit set-up. Oct. 13 is competition day at Denison High School in Denison, TX.
We would LOVE to have any and ALL supporters to join us for Spirit Points!
Visit us and see our progress online at www.olneyroboticsblog.wordpress.com. Follow us on facebook: @ohsrobotics.