There was a time when I would have laughed if you had told me that I would stay inside on a beautiful spring day to watch a robotics competition. Then I had kids, one of which is a self-proclaimed robot nerd, so there I was this weekend, watching the action from the sidelines. My robot child is involved with FIRST Robotics FRC which is high school aged teams. It’s my job to 1. Take pictures. 2. Sometimes provides snacks. 3. Nod like I know what my robot child is talking about when she is explaining stuff to me. So this weekend I took pictures, here is a look inside a competition; first a bird’s eye view from the stands:
ISO 1250 50mm 0ev f/7.1 1/60
Second, some of the bots on the field:
ISO 2000 50mm 0ev f/5.6 1/125
Third, one bot ready to launch a ball:
ISO 2000 50mm 0ev f/5.6 1/125
Lastly, a partial view of the pits where the robots are worked on in between matches:
ISO 1250 50mm 0ev f/7.1 1/60
Three things that going to a FIRST Robotics competition will teach you are false: 1. Kids these days are slackers. Wrong, I’m sure some are but then so are some adults. 2. If your robots is broken, too bad so sad. Wrong, request a part and another team will help you out, even if they are competing against you. 3. Robot children can’t dance. Wrong, they can just as well or badly as the general population.
So, need an indoor activity in April and happen to be in St. Louis? Stop by the Championship and check out all the fun and be amazed by the brain power kids today have to offer.
This post was written in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside and the Daily Post: I Believe.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
That looks so cool!
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It really is. St. Louis is really lucky to be able to host the World Championship in April as well; that is truly something to behold 🙂
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Wow – sounds like a cool event – I had know idea that robotics have come this far – but then of course they have!!
and in your series of pictures I thought you were about to show us a ball in the air right after that third photo – 🙂 and well – I liked all the angles.
and how awesome to hear that there is teamwork among the competitors…
lastly, this had me smiling…. “…Nod like I know what my robot child is talking about…”
ha!
🙂
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The teamwork among teams is a big focus of this competition, there are awards for it and everything. When I posted this my robot child also really liked the “nod like I know what my robot child is talking about” part 🙂 I will say that as the season progressed, I did understand more generally speaking of what she was talking about, but the details, forget it 🙂
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Very cool!
janet
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Yes, a very interesting way to spend the day 🙂
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I expected they would be small but they seem life size! Definitely not something one sees every day! Smart kid you have there.
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FIRST Robotics has a lot of different levels for different age groups, starting with a lego league. So, some of the other challenges involve much smaller robots.
Yes, I do have a smart kid, not to brag though. What is really great about this event is how many smart peers she has as well and just generally what great young people they are with so much potential.
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Definitely fabulous to see what the next generation has the potential to do!
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I agree, to me that is the most exciting part of events like these, just to look around at all those faces 🙂
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Wow!!! My two boys would LOVE that!! : )))
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Honestly, you don’t even have to be into robotics to really enjoy this event.
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My boys were so excited to see your photos! They had heaps of questions. Somewhere in our future…: )))
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You are based in Australia right? Here is a link to the organization there:http://firstaustralia.org FRC has a bunch of different levels and types of challenges. It looks like the Australia program is pretty recent but growing 🙂
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Thanxxx so much – that is so sweet of you! I will check it out. : ))))
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Sure, just doing my part to recruit future robot children 🙂
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: ]]]
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Your robot child is a she – that’s another stereotype destroyed.
OK, when I thought robots, I thought armed ones like in the show, the big bang theory, with hammers, chain saws, and the like. 🙂 Interesting.
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Yes, these robots are a bit more “contained” so to speak 🙂 Every year there is a new “game” they have to play. Last year it was with frisbees and involved climbing. This year was a game with balls where you could score points various different ways. It really is fun to watch the matches.
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I know that ‘nod’ thing well from the past Amy 😉
Sounds like she is having a great time on this scheme , who knows what she will be inspired to be involved in later on ! High 5 for supportive Mum 🙂
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Thanks for the high 5 🙂 What is funny to me is that engineering is just a hobby for her, some hobby!
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Wow!! I had only heard about these competitions…this is the first time I am reading a post on the topic! Great post!
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Thanks, it is really fun to be able to go and see this in person. We are lucky to have both a regional and world event in the area.
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This is so cool! I’d love to see it 🙂
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It is a lot of fun to watch 🙂
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I had no idea that this kind of thing existed, but what fun for you and your ‘robot’ 🙂 I used to watch ‘Robot Wars’ on TV with a certain amount of interest.
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It is a fun competition to watch in person as well 🙂
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Nice images. I’ve seen TV shows about the robotics over the years. A quickly advancing science that impacts our lives.
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I think also it is great to get kids fired up and involved in this type of thing, gets them thinking about their own future.
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Fascinating pics, Amy. Looks like a lot of fun. 🙂
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I love to go and watch 🙂
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I remember seeing an episode about robots on Big Bang Theory. So they really do have competitions with them!
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Yup, it a lot of fun too 🙂
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Amazing – that is something I wouldn’t have even the first inkling of a clue about – amazing!
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I didn’t either until my robot child got involved 🙂 You know how that sort of thing happens…
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I am reminded here of the robot competitions I attended with my husband who used to be the adviser of a computer science club in the university where he teaches. The competition was pretty interesting. Although the bots I saw (geared towards firefighting) were not as interesting as the ones you have here. 🙂
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These competitions are pretty neat because you are building a robot to play a cooperative game. There are plenty of specifications regarding the robots but it is interesting to see what the different teams come up with to meet the challenge.
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Isn’t it amazing to discover what interests your children? My children have hobbies and activities that are purely them– not in any way influenced by me. It fascinates me to think about how their passions developed. All I can do is sit back, watch, and applaud them. And bring snacks. 🙂
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I agree, it has been an interesting journey, and robotics is not something I would have predicted. Also, snacks are critical for any undertaking 🙂
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How fun PJB – sometimes I think about what has happened to our lives in the past 10 years based on the speed of technological invention and it’s amazing. Then I wonder what life will be 10 years from now and cannot imagine. It’s the bright minds of kids like these that will propel us forward. Nice to know we’re in good hands 🙂 Great post!
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Thanks, and I agree we are in good hands 🙂
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Very cool! I was a soccer mom, a Girl Scout leader, and drove the kids to Destination Imagination competitions, but never even heard of Robot Competitions! You must be pleased and proud, and it’s great to see an intelligent young woman breaking the stereotype about women and science.
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It is just amazing to see her and the other teens hard at work. The fabulous things they come up with!
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What fun – yours and your robot-inclined daughter. Loved the photos and the team spirit you talked about. Congrats to all.
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Thanks and it really is an awesome organization 🙂
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Awesome 🙂
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It is a lot of fun to watch.
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Yeah 😀 😀 😀
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Fantastic! Go, robot girl 🙂
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Hi there! Long time no blog post for you? I hope that all is well and thanks for visiting 🙂
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I know 😦 Keep wanting to post but have been ridiculously over committed with coursework for pilates and yoga teacher training – mea culpa for taking both on at once – but the end is in sight and I am so looking forward to getting back to more normal rhythm!
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Wow, I somehow missed that you were working on your pilates teacher training as well as your yoga training. I hope that is all going well for you. I miss your blogging, but I was hoping and am glad to hear that it is for “my real life is super full” reasons 🙂 Did I tell you I am taking a yoga for rock climbers class? It rocks 🙂
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I love robots!!! I hope I’ll be able to build one in the future.
A friend of mine is in the US for an international robotics competition held just the other day. I’m so inspired by him 🙂
Thanks for sharing these pictures 😀
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So they are in St. Louis Missouri then? Good luck to your friend at the competition, it is truly an accomplishment just to make it to the international competition 🙂
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That’s great about the yoga for rock climbers! 🙂
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I’ve been taking that class for a few months now and have come to really love it.
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