We will be having a meeting this Thursday in room 153

Thursday night at 7pm in Cafa A/B of the High School, is our Team Kick Off. This is a night where, new members, parents, community members can learn about the robotics team.

Team Members be there at 6:30. Bring all raffle tickets and money, sold or not.

We in the end of a long day of hard competition were picked for the finals by the 1st place alliance. We tied our first match in the finals 30-30, we were then eliminated during the rematch in the quarterfinals

During the competition, we lent a robot, Impulse, with some minor modifications to the pre-rookie team 2872 Wheatley. Even though the robot was designed for a different game and was being operated by a new team with no prior exposure to the game they did very impressively, placing 16th.

Congratulations to all the teams, hope to see you next year.

West Islip Robotics team would like to thank the WICC for their generous donation this past Thursday

There will be a meeting tomorrow in room 153.

The West Islip Robotics Booster Club will be hosting a DEFENSIVE DRIVING course as a fundraiser on Saturday November 8 at the high school from 9AM-3PM Completing this 6 hour class enables you get a discount on your automobile insurance or points off you license. For the 4th year, Mr. Dan Weber of Hometown Insurance is volunteering his time for this so all funds raised benefit the WI High School Robotics team and middle school LEGO teams.

If interested please reserve your spot by sending the $40 fee to:
West Islip Robotics Booster Club
649 Cadman Rd
West Islip, NY 11795
Defensive Driving Course form

Call 631 792 9000 or email INFO@WestIslipRobotics.com if there are any questions.

We will be having our first meeting for Veteran Members Thursday September 18th, 2008

Our First meeting for New members will be Monday September 22th, 2008

Upcoming events this month

September
Wednesday 10 - Udall Open House 7pm -
Wednesday 17 - Beach Open House 7pm -
Thursday 25 - HS Open House 7pm -

For the middle school open houses go to the open house for the middle school you went to. Arrive for the middle schools at 6:45.

Email, team871@gmail.com, if you will be attending a middle school open house and which school

Saturday 20 - Highway clean up 8am -
Sunday 21 - WIBC Country Fair -

We are going to have a Highway Clean up Saturday the 30th at 8am

This Sunday the 31st is the WICC Auto Show at the Libary. We will be meeting at the Bellew parking lot at 8am.

We are going to have a robot meeting Tuesday August 26th at 1pm at the Remote shop.

We are going to have our second robot meeting for the summer, It will be Tuesday August 12th at 1pm at the Remote shop.

We are going to have our first robot meeting for the summer, after having a few weeks of summer off. It will be next Tuesday August 5th at 1pm at the Remote shop. We have a lot to do before school starts so hope to see you on Tuesday

This Saturday, June 19th is our monthly clean up. Meet at 8am in the parking lot.

PARC XI was this past Saturday. At the end of qualifying matches we ended in 9th place with a 5-2 record. During alliance picking, we were picked into the 5th place alliance, and finished in the quarterfinals. Deer park was also moved up into 7th place during alliance picking; also ending in the quarterfinals.
Congratulations to 365, 25, and 145(2) on winning the competition

This Saturday we will be removing hard drives from computer for the school district. Meet in the Auto shop at 8am. Lunch will be provided.

This Thursday, the 24th, we will be having our first crocheting party. It will be at the Stephenson’s house at 7:30pm. If you have a crocheting needle (preferable 5mm) or any scraps please bring them.

team871@gmail.com

This Saturday, April 12th, is our monthly clean up. Meet at 8am in the parking lot.

Saturday May 10th is the PARC competition, in Tunkhannock PA. For this we will be renting a bus, instead of having parents drive like last year, it will be $20 per person to help with registration, tolls, driver's tip, etc.. If you are planing on attending let me know ASAP, so we have a head count.

Yesterday was the 3rd and final day of the SPBLI regional. In the end we placed 39th out of 46 teams. The winning alliance was teams 2487, 2010 and 102 with the finalist 358,533, and 1803. Team 329 was the Regional Chairman’s winner. Congratulations all the teams at the SBPLI Regional.
I would like to thank everyone for all the hard work they have done this year. Good job team.

Because of all our efforts to keep West Islip clean, and recycle for the past years, I am proud to announce that we won the “SBPLI Greening Long Island” Award.

Today was the first day of competition. Today we had 8 of our 10 matches, and at the end of the day, we were placed in the high 30s. During one of our matches, we were hit hard by another team, which cracked one of our wheels, and twisted our frame. Because of this, we missed the next match, but we were able to fix the problems. We also had problems with our RC, which we ended up replacing and is now working fine. Thank you to everyone that helped us today. Tomorrow is the final day of competition; we have our last 2 qualifying match and then the finals.

Meet tomorrow at the HS no later than 6:45. Bus leaves at 7:00

Tomorrow after the competition, we are continuing the tradition and are meeting at the Ground Round for dinner at 8:00pm, after everyone goes home for a bit to rest, 479 Montauk Hwy, Bay Shore, NY.

Today was the first day of the SBPLI competition, pit day. Today was the day where teams have time to work on their robots for the next day’s competition, as well as be inspected and have practice 3 matches, each consisting of 2 rounds. These matches were scored, but not recorded because today was practice
After our first practice match, we decided to scrap our current arm design because of its poor performance. We changed it so we can now have control of the ball, holding it between the robot and an arm. Because we made this change quickly, we were able to pick up another practice for a total of four practice matches. Our inspection went very nicely passing first time through weighting 111.3 lb. Tomorrow is this first day of qualifying matches. Between Friday and Saturday morning, we will be having 11 qualifying matches. Congratulations to everyone on a very successful pit day, let’s keep up the good work.

Meet tomorrow at the High School no later than 6:45.

We will be having a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday. Consent and release, and Permission slips are due back ASAP. High way clean is moved to this Saturday, the 15th, because of the weather. Also Thursday the 20th is the Button Party.

On Saturday we packed up the robot to be ship. During the day we practiced driving. We also worked on programming the sonar sensor for use during hybrid. There is still a lot to be done before the SBPLI Regional which is March 27 - 29.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

This last week we have been very busying finishing up and making spare parts. The electrical team has been neatening up the wires and tubes and has been labeling all of them for easier troubleshooting. The IR sensor has a new mount printed that fully incases it for protection and is mounted where it has quality protection as well as functionality. The batter has been moved to hanging under the diagonal supports from the arm because when it was moved to the back it caused the robots front end to lift when accelerating. The grippers mounting bracket has been modified to add extra support. Potentionometers have been added at both hinge points on the arm in order to limit the arms motion as well as have pre-set position to accomplish tasks. In-between everything programming has squeezed in some time testing code.

Anyone that hasn’t given me a shirt size and quantity please do this ASAP because shirts will be ordered over vacation.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

Yesterday many little tasks we done. The battery box was moved to the opposite side of the arm because where it was the gripper was hitting it. The motor of the "wrist" was changed out for a stronger motor. PWM wires for sensors and the lap counter were made and put on the robot. The metal gripper was smoothed down and is almost ready to be put on. The sonar sensors were remounted in the new positions. Bumpers were finished and put on, but taken off to weight the robot because they do not count towards the 120 lb. weight limit. Today at the library we discussed our strategy during the game. We also went over our submission for chairmen.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

Yesterday the arm/gripper was put on, chained, tubed, and wired. We are working on making a new gripper out of metal to replace the current one made of PVC. Today we started testing the arm/gripper. During testing a solenoid blew and so did the compressor, which we will be replacing tomorrow. We have also been tweaking the arm design as we test it. The Sonar sensors started to be mounted, as well as a extension cable for the db9 connectors for the programming and tether positions on the R.C. for easer access.

Today was a busy day. Electrical mounted, tubed and wired (except for a few wires), the pneumatics system up to the solenoids. They also tested the pneumatics and so far everything is working. Mechanical realigned the uprights of the arm because it wasn’t level. The arm was fully attached but the gripper and chains. Programming got the new IR board working as well as the Xbox controller and was running one of the old bots with both.

Tomorrow we are meeting at the public library at 1:30 Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

Pictures will be up shortly

The past three days have been busy. Programming mounted the IR sensor on an old bot and got it driving using the IR sensor and a IR TV remote. Electrical mounted and tubes all the pneumatics up to the pressure regulator, and started mounting the solenoids. Mechanical has been working a design for the "wrist" of the robot to replace the motor that is too week. Extra cross braces have been added to the arm for support, and mounting brackets were made for the piston at the end of the arm to knock the ball down.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

On Saturday the gripper started to come together, but at the end of the day during testing, one of the motors was proven to be too week to move the gripper, plans then began on how to modify it to work. Electrical started planning and mounting pneumatics parts. Sensor mounts were built for the sonar sensors to be mounted. And as always CAD continued drawing the robot.

At the Sunday meeting at the library we discussed our build plan for the week. We also worked on the many non robot awards, mainly chairman’s and the LI greening project.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

Today was 8th grade orientation at the High school. In the gym we had a small display, as well as the technology department and the other department in the school, to explain to the upcoming 8th grader about the team and the technology programs/classes available at the high school.

Throughout the week many parts of the arm/gripper have been built and it’s starting to look like an arm/gripper. Yesterday we finished some wiring and it is now driving. Programing started working with the base to get a “turn left” button working but was running into some issues. Saturday we will be meeting 8am - 3 pm.

Please check in weekly to our YouTube for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

On Saturday Mechanical continued constructing parts for the arm and are making some headway. Electrical finished the final board internally and started planning the placement of the other components on the robot. CAD continued drawing parts for Mechanical as well as the overall design. Business has a lot of work completed for the Greening of LI and it is coming along well.
We would like to thank the Reilly family for lunch on Saturday.

Also we have created a You Tube account with videos about the team. Please check in weekly for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

Yesterday kids from the YES program came to our shops for a demonstration. They were able to drive one of the test bases that we had. Afterwards they were given a tour of our shops where team members were working. After the tour they were given explanations of all the different components that go into building a robot.

During the week Mechanical continued to build various parts for the arm. CAD has been working on drawing the final design of the "gripper" to be put on the end of the arm to hurdle as well as herd. Electrical started work on the final electrical board, which should be done on Saturday. Business has been working on the Chairman’s as well as the Greening of LI.

Also we have created a You Tube account with videos about the team. Please check in weekly for a video about what we do each week.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WIRobotechsTeam871

This Saturday we will be taking our team picture for the year book. Everyone wear last year’s team shirt. If you don't have one, ask if you can borrow one from another team member for the picture.

This weekend we have been busy. On Saturday we tested different wheel configurations and conferment that last years was the best and we will be using it. Which is 4 direct drive wheel one at each corner of the robot. Mechanical started building the second deck which to build the arm on top of, they also started to construct parts for the arm. CAD is in the process of drawing the many parts to the arm which mechanical are building from. Programming started work on a "turn left" button to make turning left during competition quicker. Now that the wheel configuration is decided on mechanical and electrical are going to start building the final base on Monday.

This Saturday we will be taking our team picture for the year book. Everyone wear last year’s team shirt. If you don't have one, ask if you can borrow one from another team member for the picture.

Today the mechanical team finished building the test base. The electrical team finished the test board and now it is ready for programming to load the code first thing on Saturday. After which we will be testing different wheel configurations testing for strait as well as turning speed. The CAD team have been drawing concepts for a gripper mechanism. They also have been drawing parts for the mechanical team to starting building for the arm.

Reminder we will be meeting at the school on Saturday at 8am to about 3pm. On Sunday we will be at the Public library starting at 1:30.

These past 4 days have been very busy. This past Saturday was the kick off. This year’s game is called “Overdrive." Details about the game will be posted shortly in the "2008 Game" section.

During the meeting Sunday at the Library and Monday at the school, we discussed the rules of the game and the strategy we wanted to pursue. At the end of Monday we had a plan of what we wanted the robot to look like this year. On Tuesday we started construction.

Programming started writing code for use with the IR and sonar sensors. Mechanical constructed 2 gear boxes and changed a past robot to be used to test ideas. Electrical started building a test board to be used on the base which mechanical will start tomorrow. After the test board and base are completed we will test different wheel configurations to see which works best. The business team redid the trophy case putting pictures of graduated members as the background and reorganized the trophies.

Kick Off is This Saturday (this is where we find out this years game)
after we meet

At today's meeting the team voted on the robot name as well as our team motto.

Robot name choices

There is a mandatory team meeting this Tuesday, November 27.

This past Saturday was the annual Trebuchet competition. We took second place with 564 feet, and Islip took First with 692.5 feet. The distances this year however were much shorter than previous years because of the amount of wind that day. Pictures from the competition will be posted shortly.

Last night, at Manetuck, while the Girl Scouts were making food baskets for Thanksgiving we held a demonstration for them to explaining the robots that we had with us and what it is that the robotics team does. The Girl Scouts were very interested and had many questions for us to answer.

Mark McLeod & Simona Doboli will conduct a Programming workshop on Saturday, November 17th, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Hauppauge High School in Robotics Room 135.

It will be a two hour session focusing on the basics of C language programming specific to FIRST robots. The first half of the session will be spent reviewing C basics and the FIRST default robot program, followed by a second hour of hands-on working with several small Vex robots. The focus will be on changing operator controls and dead reckoning autonomous. Several of the Vex robots will have a variety of sensors that more advanced programmers can play with.

A laptop with MPLAB (already installed please) will be required for the second half of the session.

There is no cost for the workshop, but please register in advance by a reply e-mail telling me how many will attend. And yes, students are welcome.

The 2008 FIRST Scholarship Opportunities are now posted on our website at: www.usfirst.org/scholarships. The new display format provides a searchable scholarship database to make it easier for you to find scholarship information. You can refine your search by specifying the state where you want to attend college and your current grade in school.

Over 90 schools or organizations from the East Coast to the West Coast are offering from $500 to full tuition scholarships to FIRST Robotics Competition students. Nearly $9 million in scholarship funding is offered from schools like Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Florida Institute of Technology, ITT Technical Institute, and Boston University.

There are scholarships specifically for engineering, computer science, technology, science, or math, and many others that can be applied to any course of study. Some scholarships are for academic achievements and others are for participating on a FIRST team. There are plenty of scholarship opportunities for all students to consider.

We are still waiting for a few schools to update their 2007 Scholarship offerings. Their offering and application deadlines may be similar to those listed for last year, but be sure to confirm this with the scholarship provider. As new scholarships are offered, they will be added to the website listings. So check the Scholarship website frequently.

Seniors: Note that the following schools have deadlines coming up soon:

Last nights team kick-off was a success. Many parents attended and heard speeches from students talking about the team explaining to the parent about what FIRST is, different subteams in the team, different events that we go to, and various other topics.

At the end of the night we had our raffle drawing. The 1st first prize, a Surfboard made by Mr.Walton, was won by a West Islip resident and surfer, Joe Gemellaro. Our 2nd prize was won by another West Islip resident Andre Coiro. Thank you to everyone that bought a ticket thank you for the support

Tuesday November 6th is our team kick off and raffle drawing starting at 7pm. We will be holding it in the "Black box" in the technology hallway of the high school. All are welcome

Team members arrive at 6pm. Wear team shirt, unless speaking Dress/Kaki/Skirt and team polo or collared shirt

Tomorrow we will be having a general meeting
Also tomorrow is the business expo at LaGrange Inn ( across the street from the library) We will be meeting at 5:00pm at LaGrange to be set up by 5:30pm.
Remember this is a business expo, dress appropriately. Dress/Kaki pants/Skirt, team polo if you have one otherwise wear a collared shirt.

We in the end of a long day of hard competition took the 2nd seed and partnered with our good friends Deer Park, 270, and team 369, Grady High School, now ....on to the finals.

The first match of the finals we lost. we were dead the whole match because of what was much later determined to be a field error. But at the time, couldn't be known, so the ref ruled it a valid match. The second match we lost even though the alliance had a robot on the ramp. HOWEVER, a computer student in the audience brought a scoring error to the ref's attention and after much angst and discussion among the refs and other officials, the score of the second match was corrected and the loss reversed. so now it was 1 to 1. The third and final match of the finals was a battle, with amazing driving and successfully blocking we stopped Bay Shore's Team 271 from their usual scoring frenzy. Final score of match 3 was 6-4, Alliance 871/271/369 won the 2007 Deer Park invitational

During the competition we lent a robot, Impulse, with some minor modifications to the pre-rookie team 2347 (Copaigue). Even though the robot was designed for a different game and was being operated by a new team with no prior exposure to the game they did very impressively.

Congratulations to all the teams, hope to see you next year.

Schedule: Saturday October 20th
8am doors open
9 am Practice Rounds
9:30 am Opening ceremonies
9:45 am Fun Matches
10:00 am Qualifying Matches
12:30 pm Break for Lunch
1:30 pm Qualifying Matches
2:30 pm Elimination Rounds
4:00 pm Closing Ceremony
clean up.

all team members are to meet at Deer Park High School at 8am wearing a team shirt.
you will need to arrive there on your own, no transportation is provided unless you make the arrangements yourself.

Here are the directions to Deer Park:

There will also be Homecoming for Deer Park so please only approach and enter the school from the front of the building.

The best way is:
Travel North on Deer Park Ave. from the Sunrise Hwy.
Pass under the LIRR and pass the shopping center on your left.
Turn left onto Nichols Rd (There is a light there, Amaco station on the south west corner)
At the 2nd block, make a left onto 5th Ave. (You will go throught a Stop sign the short block before the turn)
You will enter the parking lot and gym after a very short block. Enter parkling lot. Gym is through the bank of doors.

Events for Saturday, October 13th

Tomorrow September 27th we will be having a meeting in room 153

Upcoming Events

Tomorrow September 23 is the West Islip Country Fair. We will have a display set up to inform the community about what we are and do. We also we be promoting our fundraisers, the Defensive Driving Course and the Surfboard Raffle. All team members wear team shirt.
We will me meeting at Bellew at 9:00 AM

There will be a Meeting on Thursday September 20th in Room 153.
This meeting will be open to new members.
All veteran members a required to attend.

The Robotics team will be assisting the WI Chamber of Commerce again at their "BLAST FROM THE PAST" car show Sunday September 2, 2007 (Rain Date: Monday, Sept. 3, 2007) 9 am to 5 pm . Our highway crew will assist in keeping the grounds clean with the golf cart & trailer. Also, we'll have a demo tent with a few of our creations. We will be promoting our two fundraisers:

1) SURFBOARD RAFFLE (Thank you Mr. Walton)
2) DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE (Thank you Mr. Weber of Hometown Insurance)

All Teams members are to attend wearing team shirts.
please email team871@gmail.com if you are able to attend or not.