Robotics Update - Time grows short

The middle school combat robots class is heading into the home stretch.  It's been a challenge this year.  In addition to the usual ups and downs of working with this age group it turns out we had fewer sessions to work with than expected.  Something about parent teacher conferences that had not been put on the schedule at the time I did my pre-season planning.  So, time to buckle down and work harder and smarter.

Some pictures taken while the clock ticks down.

Our first up and running machine.  Four wheel drive with nice traction tape on the wheels.  With a ramp and some armor it will be a competitive robot.

One week after that photo was taken things were looking up considerably.  An intimidating machine, although the rpms of the saw blade are pretty low.

I put no restrictions on "at home" work or family help.  This lad and his grandpa cooked up something impressive.  Future FIRST recruit I'm thinkin'.

The gulf between high ambitions and the ability to pull them off is usually huge.  It sure was with this kid.  But with a bit of extra help his project is coming together reasonably well.  Other times we just celebrate the high ambitions, which are worth something.