Robotics teams gearing up

Two teams tasked with designing and developing robots have seen their first competition for the season and will be plenty active in the coming weeks.

Coach London Jenks said the two high school teams — No. 4273, Aluminati, and No. 7283, Fist Full of Axles — travelled to Butte, Mont. on Nov. 17 for a qualifying tournament, where Aluminati qualified for the Montana state competition. The teams went to Helena, Mont. this past weekend, and Fist Full of Axles qualified for the Montana state competition as well.

Jenks said Aluminati is close to having it’s final design complete and is in the refinement stage. Following the Butte tournament, Fist Full of Axles took apart a good chunk of their robot for a redesign.

This weekend, Aluminati is headed to another state qualifier at Park City, Utah. Though there aren’t any qualifiers in Wyoming, Thermopolis was home to a scrimmage Nov. 10 and Jenks noted other Wyoming schools are getting on board with hosting additional events.

At competitions, teams’ robots must begin attached to a lander. Robots have to be able to detach, get up ramps into “craters,” collect items representing minerals, return to the lander and re-attach.

But building and refining the ‘bots isn’t the only thing keeping the teams busy. They’re also active in the community, regularly helping at Mack’s Market, and are planning for a community event in mid-January. They also just started selling pizza kits as a fundraiser. Jenks expressed his appreciation to the local businesses that have helped sponsor the teams as the support makes it possible.

The students will present for the local Kiwanis, and Jenks said they are happy to present for other groups as well. Those who are interested in hosting a presentation or sponsoring the teams can contact Jenks at the high school, 864-6511, or email ljenks@hotsprings1.org