Congrats Henry, Cassie, John and Alex on your high school graduation. We look forward to all of you being back with the team next year!
Henry and Alex on Graduation Night
K-Botics Class of 2010
2 07 2010Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: FRC, First Robotics, Queen's University, mentors, graduation
Categories : Misc.
Laser Tag
28 06 2010On the weekend about 20 of us gathered to play laser tag. There were W.A.F.F.L.E.S (FLL) and Mini W.A.F.F.L.E.S (Jr. FLL) and VEX and K-Botics (FRC) and mentors of all sorts.
- WAFFLES, VEX, K-Botics and mentors
This was our first social meeting of the summer, and it was fun to let loose and have a little fun all together. We divided up into two teams (red vs. blue) and put on the laser tag suits–slip on vests with a chest plate, two shoulder pads and a back plate that act as targets worth different amounts of points.
There are target points on the ceiling to aim for as well, but doing so can leave you vulnerable to attack. We all learned to work together and watch our back because that back target is very vulnerable.
We found that the younger members were at a definite advantage, because everyone, particularly mentors felt bad for shooting at them. These little ones were VERY determined to get team points, so they often circled the mentors.
“The mentors were walking around in a clump squeeling like little girls, and Remi freaked out whenever he got shot” -Henry (Grade 12)
Henry did really well, scoring 22.8 thousand which was the second highest of the month! Way to go Henry.
Playing laser tag was such fun, it made us rely on our team mates, and work together. It could become a yearly tradition for FIRST teams in Kingston.
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: field trip, First Robotics, FLL, FRC, mentors, team building, VEX, WAFFLES
Categories : Fun
WAFFLES and K-Botics On The Road Again!
16 06 2010Today we set off after school in the pouring rain to visit one of our local elementary schools to show and tell what we’ve been up to this season.
Our plans of an outdoor demonstration had to be cancelled, but the grades 5-8 students graciously allowed us space in their classroom to set up the LEGO field table, and to drive our robot around.
We explained about FIRST, and talked about what we do during build season, and other parts of the year. We shared about the design process, something that the students experienced when they built popsicle stick bridges. We shared about the fun of competition, and the team bonding that occurs through the year. It was clear by the excellent questions that our audience was very interested in what we are doing. They are so keen that it might be possible to start several new FLL teams for the fall.
Our friends the W.A.F.F.L.E.S. talked about their season, demonstrated some of their robot features, and talked about some of the challenges that they faced while building their LEGO robot. We were able to draw connections between their robot and ours–the central computer, the sensors, gears, motors, wheels and design creativity. We are always impressed at the presentation skills of our young friends. Good job!!
At the end of the presentation we drove our robot around, demonstrating the kicking skills, and surprising our audience! We then gave them the chance to get a closer look–we opened up our robot and showed some of the inner workings to the enthusiastic students.
Hopefully these students have been inspired to think of science, technology and engineering in a new way. Hopefully they have been inspired to try something new, and maybe start a team of their own next year. We ended the day by inviting all of the graduating grade 8 students to come join us in the fall, and experience FIRST for themselves.
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: community, demo, First Robotics, FLL, FRC, WAFFLES
Categories : Misc.
Demo At Yacht Club
11 06 2010We had the pleasure of demonstrating our robot for the World Robotic Sailing Championships, held this year at the Kingston Yacht Club.
It was exciting to watch the boats in action, and it was great to meet and talk with several of the teams, as they came to see our demonstration.
Here’s John, who is obviously thrilled to see one of the robotic boats up close.
K-Botics, W.A.F.F.L.E.S, and the Austrian team
Thanks to Queen’s University, who allowed us to demonstrate our robot at the event. It was a good learning experience for all of us.
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: FRC, First Robotics, thank you, Queen's University, demo, community
Categories : Misc.
Ready To Go!
9 06 2010Just in time for tomorrow, we have both our robots working extremely well. Some of the recent changes may have even improved on our competition performance. After a good test run, we packed up our gear to get ready for tomorrow’s demo.
Tomorrow afternoon will be fun! Drop by the Kingston Yacht Club from 12:00-4:00 to say hello.
K-Botics Guide to Robot Demos:
- Arrange everything you need to bring well in advance
- Be sure batteries are fully charged.
WHAT TO BRING
| Robot and Game Pieces (balls etc) | Carpet to drive on |
| Batteries and charger | Controllers and computer |
| Tool kit for minor repairs | Safety Glasses |
| Sponsor boards | Extension cords |
| Pamphlets about team and about FIRST | Projector, screen, and laptop for video clips |
| Media binder (photos and clippings) | Copy of Rookie All Star/Chairman’s Report |
| Notepad, pens, tape | thank you card for your host |
WHEN YOU GET THERE
- Set up quickly, give everyone a job.
- Be friendly and enthusiastic. Send your group out into the crowd to mingle.
- Keep your area safe. Do not drive the robot into the crowd. Do not shoot game pieces at people
- Do allow others to come and drive the robot (under your supervision)
- Keep notes of who you meet, and get business cards and contact information of interested industry and community partners.
- Clean up all of your gear promptly (give everyone a job)
- At the end of your demo thank your host
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: demo, First Robotics, FRC, organization
Categories : Misc.
Sailbot??? Roboat???
1 06 2010Have you ever wanted to see a sailbot? If you are in Kingston, mark June 7th-10th on your calendar. The World Robotic Sailing Championship and International Robotics Sailing Conference is being hosted by Queen’s University, at the Kingston Yacht Club. This is the first time that this regatta has taken place in North America. Nine teams from Canada, the United States, Germany, Austria and Wales have registered to face-off against each other to prove that they are the best in the world.
These robotic sailboats will navigate and sail the waters of Lake Ontario autonomously. Boats are programmed for GPS and wind speed among other factors. They will compete in matches, and long distance races as well as in collision avoidance and navigational challenges.
2009 image source: www.queensu.ca
K-Botics are very excited about this exciting opportunity to watch the races and cheer for Team Canada! We are keen to learn about another interesting application of robotics, and we are thrilled to demonstrate our two robots at the Kingston Yacht Club on June 10th.
Please make time in your day to walk by the water and see these roboats for yourself.
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: field trip, FRC, First Robotics, Queen's University, demo, community
Categories : Uncategorized
Why Do We Relay?
29 05 2010We relay to support our friends and families who are fighting cancer. We relay to raise awareness of a disease that affects most everyone at some point in their life. We relay to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. We relay for LIFE!
We signed up a team this year for our school’s Relay For Life. We collected pledges, and committed to staying up all night at the school playing games, and participating in other fun activities.
At 7:00 PM we gathered at our “campsite” in the basement, to decorate our banner, and organize sleeping bags and blankets to sit on.
There were opening ceremonies in one gym, where we heard from cancer survivors and then cheered them on as they did a lap of our track. The track, lined with luminaries, was left lit all night and reserved as a quiet spot to sit and reflect.
The other gym held all sorts of activities throughout the evening. We did square dancing, and badminton, and an incredible obstacle course challenge.
 |
 |
 |
There was a coffee house in the courtyard where we listened to some amazing student-musicians perform.
K-Botics did a lively demonstration of our two robots, and we invited other students to come and learn to drive.
 |
 |
We want to thank the Relay For Life committee for allowing us time to share the message of FIRST with our peers, and to explain what fun we have at robotics club meetings and competitions. 
It’s nice to get the chance to show off the product of our many hours of work during build season.
Around 4:00AM we performed and taught the Cupid Shuffle. We even taught our robot to shuffle along with us. It was a great feeling to have the rest of the crowd rush up to dance with us.
At 5AM we had a newspaper fashion show, where lack of sleep and poor communication led to Alex wearing a lovely gathered bodice, and robin hood boots and armor.
It wasn’t what he thought he’d be wearing, but Alex was the first to admit that the garment was the most structurally sound of all of them on display.
nap time
Breakfast was served at 6:30AM and closing ceremonies were held after that. It was then that we were told that we raised well over $17 000. A job well done!
Bleary-eyed, we all headed home for a good nap. I’m sure we’ll do this again next year!
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: community, dance, demo, First Robotics, FRC, mentors, thank you
Categories : Misc.
Young Drivers
27 05 2010We had a special treat today after school. Two youngsters came to visit and learn about our robot.
visiting with the "Arbalest" from 2010
They saw how the insides worked, and asked lots of questions.
Visiting with "Casey" from 2009
They got pretty excited about the robots in action
Then, to their great delight, they got to learn to drive the robots!
steady hands
They teamed up to make a pretty fierce drive team. Just wait until these two get into high school!
Great team work!
We’re glad to have both our robots going for demo season.
Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: community, demo, First Robotics, FRC
Categories : Misc.
Announcing Two Future Mentors
26 05 2010We have two of our own K-Bots heading off to Queen’s University next year
 |
 |
We are thrilled to welcome them back in the fall as junior mentors.
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: FRC, First Robotics, Queen's University, mentors
Categories : Misc.
Casey’s ALIVE!!!!
20 05 2010
oops wrong picture!
K-Bot Casey is alive again…all it took were a few sprockets and it’s as good as new.
We're all very happy to see Kasey again
We’re still working on this year’s robot (The Arbalest)–a mysterious kicker issue has been causing us difficulty. We think our popsicle sticks fell out!
We continued on our quest to organize our work space. Today we tackled the “metal trail mix”
Yumm….tasty snack food?
Attempts at organization. We’ll see how long it takes to get all jumbled again.
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: First Robotics, FRC, organization, testing
Categories : Misc.
