Trumansburg Robotics advances to World Championships

By Elaine Springer
Tompkins Weekly

 

By working as the Captain of their Alliance in the Central NY Robotics Competition on March 4 at SUNY Polytech, the Trumansburg High School Robotics Team, FRC Team 5254: HYPE has earned a spot in the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in Detroit on April 25 through 28.

FIRST, or “For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” is the overarching Robotics nonprofit organization formed in 1989. Their mission is to, “inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting Mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.“ Each year FIRST provides teams a set of challenges, a basic robot parts kit, and a set of rules that address safety, conduct, game play, and robots. According to the HYPE website, “in six weeks, with limited resources, we have to conceive, design, prototype, fabricate, build and program our robot to compete in FRC events.” This year, the theme, FIRST Power Up, is based on arcade game play, and “includes two alliances of video game characters and their human operators who are trapped in an arcade game. Both alliances are working to defeat the boss in order to escape,” according to materials provided on the FIRST website.

The Trumansburg HYPE team has been competing since 2014 and is made of up Trumansburg Central School District students and mentors from the school and the community. HYPE offers students a non-sports activity that provides experience with collaboration between mentors and students, as well as communication with members of the community as they help solicit sponsorships and donations for fundraisers. The weekend-long events, which generally boast upwards 50 national and international competing teams, also focus on collaboration not only between team members but also building alliances between teams.

Building alliances is an established part of competition and foster an overall feeling of goodwill and great fun at the events. In fact, it is not uncommon for teams, regardless of alliance status, to help each other troubleshoot issues, give each other spare parts, and in general cheer on the competition. They all like to see each other succeed, grow, and learn. This is what FIRST refers to as “Coopertition.” According to their website, “At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.”

Of the most recent event, in regard to their alliances and subsequent win, mentors note, “We finished ranked number four in qualifications. We were the Captain of the Number Three Alliance in eliminations with awesome partners Team 319 BOB and Team 358 Robotic Eagles. Together our alliance advanced all the way to Finals. As the Captain of the finalist alliance, we qualified for the 2018 FRC World Championships in Detroit.”

While this is a great accomplishment, the World Championship in Detroit comes with a hefty price tag. While HYPE receives general season funding from generous corporate sponsors, private donations, and public fundraising events, this competition alone will cost the team and their families upwards of $10,000 for the entry fee, travel, and lodging. The team is currently running a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to enter and travel to the World Championships, which can be found at gofundme.com/frc5254hype. All donations are tax-deductible.

HYPE is also holding a RoboJam BBQ dinner fundraiser on April 14. Join them from 4 to 9 p.m. at the American Legion in Trumansburg for food, musical performances, and a silent auction. Silent auction items include a Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival weekend pass, two autographed Joe Nieuwendyk New Jersey Devils jerseys, an overnight at LaTourelle, and a Syracuse Destination package with tickets to WonderWorks, RPM Raceway and the Museum of Intrigue, and more. Tickets are $10 each. Dinner is $15 for a 1/2 rack Baby Back Rib and 1/4 Chicken dinner or $12 for a 1/2 Chicken dinner with Cornell Sauce. Includes Amish Pasta Salad, Ranch Style Beans, a roll, cookie and a drink.