Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Cannon Falls robotics team showcases redesign, community outreach and asks for sponsors
Loading...
Summary
High school students told the school board how a redesigned intake and polycarbonate linkage arms improved durability after early competition damage, described community outreach and said this year—s robot cost about $5,000, asking the board to note sponsorship opportunities.
A Cannon Falls High School robotics mentor opened the board presentation by crediting district shop teachers and local fabrication partners for helping students rebuild their robot after it took severe damage in early competition rounds.
The mentor said students designed a new intake arm that initially failed on the field and that students, with shop support, then created polycarbonate linkage arms that proved more resilient. "He spent some time teaching the kids how to use the [router]," the mentor said, describing how the shop teachers enabled student fabrication and repairs.
Students described the game: 500 small "fuel" balls on the field, a hub for scoring and a limited window to score for each alliance. "We competed at two different competitions this year," Avery, lead captain, said, and the team won a gracious-professionalism award for helping other teams. Kater, the electrical captain, and Gus, the design captain, summarized that the team rebuilt much of the robot in a two-week span between events.
On funding, the students said this year—s robot parts totaled about $5,000 and they rely on roughly 20 sponsors to cover parts, travel and bus costs. "We have about 20 sponsors and they give us a lot of money and we're very grateful for them," a student said, and invited board members to attend upcoming events and regional competitions.
Board members asked technical questions about radio range, cameras used for alignment and the team—s fabrication process; students described using swerve drive, cameras to adjust shooter speed by distance and partnerships with local vendors (Gemini) for water-jet work. The mentor closed by thanking the board and school staff for support.
The board recessed briefly to allow the team to pack up their robot before continuing the meeting.
