Mr Buddenbohn's Robobees demonstrated their robots to Erik's Boyscout troop. Renee had attended that demonstronstration also and both of them were very impressed. David and Lydean decided to start a family team in 2009. They homeschool and this would also help with science, math, and programming. The team didn't win any tournaments that year, but had so much fun participating that they remained a family team in 2010. But, they decided that others in our community would benefit from this type of activity. Three other teams were also started in 2010; another high school team - VEX, a middle school team - FIRST FLL, and a second middle school team - CSM Jr.

Renee and Erik started our robot's design in Pro/Engineer. As Renee started programming, Erik took up the slack. At one point, we wanted a five wheeled geared drive train. Erik used Pro/Engineer and determined that the size would be too close to the 18-inch cube restriction. We decided not buy the gears necessary for the desired drive train and a four wheel per side chain driven chassis was designed and built instead.

Four matches of finals left everyone in suspense when the scores of 52 and 50 were announced, but the alliance winner with the higher points was not announced! During the last few seconds of the match, Renee used the bucket arm to deposit a couple of batons in the low goal as Erik was balancing the robot on the bridge-by turning it around ON the bridge. These batons broke the tie and red was the winning alliance: 2843 Under the Son, 3113 Craftsmen, and 7 Tactical Sheep.

Renee enjoys the matches and looks quite happy above, but a few minutes before while reviewing the scouting notes, she was racked with doubt. Which teams should she pick to be on the alliance? Alliance selection went smoothly and the rest is, as they say, history. Marco Ciavolino snapped pictures throughout the event. We thank him for the picture above, below, and elsewhere.

FTC 3113 Craftsmen from Ellicott City, Md was our first pick. They had quite a maneuverable robot and a very experienced drive team. We thank them for their advice, TETRIX parts, and help.

FTC 7 Tactical Sheep from Forest Hill, Md was our second pick. Their robot had dispensed the doublers twice during the tournament. We thank them for their positive attitudes, experience, and TETRIX parts.

How many robots are piled on that goal? Perhaps the video will show it all (if I can get it off my analog video recorder). Breathe, Renee!

Don't worry, Erik is actually quite happy. He just happens to be between his two loving sisters at the moment.

Renee is starting the autonomous program before the match starts. Take a good look at the robot, because it won't look that way for long.

Our robot was disabled twice during the finals. One time our motor smoked after we lost communication with our robot. So many teams offered motors, that we can't remember them all. We finally used a motor from one of the Ryken teams (FTC 3183 and 4218). As the motor was being installed, someone noticed the encoder was loose, so another motor was taken from their drive train. The other disability was caused by the breaking of a tank tread. Again we received many offers; some even raced to the other building to get one from their stock. FTC 7 Tactical Sheep were wearing them as part of their costumes. Again the generosity and gracious professionalism of the teams was heart warming.

There are many new teams in Southern Maryland, so Randy Gross asked all of the teams to join the Patuxent First Alliance. One of the reasons the alliance was formed was to encourage the veteran teams to help the rookie teams. In the end, everyone learned from everyone else. In my opinion, this is what it's all about!