2014: Aerial Assist
Aerial Assist was the first season played by the team. Despite being a rookie team, the team had members with knowledge of electrical, programming or CAD from various classes taken wither at school or the career center. The team diligently worked during build season, using their time wisely and efficiently to make the 120 pound robot. The team then competed at the Great Lakes Bay Region Competition and Waterford District Competition. Successfully, the team was also selected to play in the quarterfinals by the #8 alliance at the Waterford District Competition. Lessons learned during this season were to put more thought into an effective robot design performing all tasks, ways to improve upon mobility, and focus was put on more outreach in the community to make everyone aware of this great educational opportunity available to our students. Aerial Assist is a game of two competing alliances with three robots on each one. The game is played on a 25' x 54' field that is straddled by a truss five feet above the floor. The objective is to score as many balls in the goals as possible in a two and a half minute match. The more goals that are made along with more teamwork being shown, will result in more points for that alliance.
Aerial Assist was the first season played by the team. Despite being a rookie team, the team had members with knowledge of electrical, programming or CAD from various classes taken wither at school or the career center. The team diligently worked during build season, using their time wisely and efficiently to make the 120 pound robot. The team then competed at the Great Lakes Bay Region Competition and Waterford District Competition. Successfully, the team was also selected to play in the quarterfinals by the #8 alliance at the Waterford District Competition. Lessons learned during this season were to put more thought into an effective robot design performing all tasks, ways to improve upon mobility, and focus was put on more outreach in the community to make everyone aware of this great educational opportunity available to our students. Aerial Assist is a game of two competing alliances with three robots on each one. The game is played on a 25' x 54' field that is straddled by a truss five feet above the floor. The objective is to score as many balls in the goals as possible in a two and a half minute match. The more goals that are made along with more teamwork being shown, will result in more points for that alliance.
2015: Recycle Rush
Coming into their second year of competition, the team was ready to climb mountains. From kickoff to the end of the build season, the team worked tirelessly and diligently. Using their time to do thorough research for an effective robot design and executing the build, electrical and programming aspects of the robot was no easy task. However, the E-Ville Empire was ready to conquer competition. This spirit led us the team to semifinals at our Waterford District event, quarterfinals at the Dow event and also helped earn qualifications to the state and world championship. For being a second year team, we couldn't be more happier. We were able to learn a lot from FIRST this year. Recycle Rush is a recycling themed game played by two alliances of three robots/teams. Points are earned for each alliance by robots stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with trash cans or a trash can containing a pool noodle representing litter. All materials used in the game will be used by the teams and FIRST at the seasons end.
- Scholarships: FIRST has so far made it possible for three of our graduates to earn scholarship at the college they are attending because of their active participation in the FIRST Robotics program. With college tuition being a concern these days, FIRST made it possible for these students and more to come, to earn scholarship money towards their education.
- Budgeting: At the beginning of the year, we had our marketing group come together and write grants and apply for sponsorship from businesses with a goal that would cover district competitions and possibly if states, if we made it. When we made it to states and then earned a spot in the world championship, our budget took a turn. Looking into next season, we hope to raise more funds so we are prepared for scenarios such as extra competitions or making it to worlds next season, which we hope to achieve.
- Hands-on experience: Our students were able to attain hands- on experience in the fields of building, marketing, programming and CAD before experiencing these as part of college or their potential career. FIRST gave them the opportunity to use their knowledge and create a model of all that they have learned.
- Learning from other teams and mentors: By attending various robotics events and competitions, we were able to receive tips on how to lead a successful season and things to consider when building the robot. The pieces of knowledge we have received from teams around Michigan and the country are priceless.
Overall, Recycle Rush was definitely a great experience for our team!
2016: FIRST Stronghold:
At the beginning of our third season, the team was ready for another year of fierce competition. With a new batch of teammates on board, it was go-time for the build season after kickoff had started. The game for this year was FIRST Stronghold, a game where two alliances of three robots/teams would be in a head-to-head race for points, which could be gained in a variety of ways. Each team could score a point by crossing an obstacle that would be placed as a defense for the tower each team was trying to defend. After passing the obstacles, the robot would have to fire boulders (small grey foam balls) at either a low goal (worth 1 point) or a high goal (worth 5 points). Once enough boulders were thrown into either the low or high goal, the tower's flag would be lowered, leaving it up for capture. If a team's robot(s) managed to scale the tower, additional points would be added to the alliance's overall score. After the rigorous build season was complete, we were ready more than ever for the competition.
At the beginning of our third season, the team was ready for another year of fierce competition. With a new batch of teammates on board, it was go-time for the build season after kickoff had started. The game for this year was FIRST Stronghold, a game where two alliances of three robots/teams would be in a head-to-head race for points, which could be gained in a variety of ways. Each team could score a point by crossing an obstacle that would be placed as a defense for the tower each team was trying to defend. After passing the obstacles, the robot would have to fire boulders (small grey foam balls) at either a low goal (worth 1 point) or a high goal (worth 5 points). Once enough boulders were thrown into either the low or high goal, the tower's flag would be lowered, leaving it up for capture. If a team's robot(s) managed to scale the tower, additional points would be added to the alliance's overall score. After the rigorous build season was complete, we were ready more than ever for the competition.
2017: FIRST Steamworks: Enarmoured with new faces for a new season, the E-Ville Empire was ready for another competitive year. This year, the kickoff event announced a steampunk-themed game called FIRST Steamworks. This year's game had a new element that was introduced to the FIRST style of competition, pilots on the field. Ordinarlily, the closest any team member got to the feild would be behind the alliance station wall where the pilots controlled the robots. For this year, tow alliance members would be position on an airship in the feild a few feet above the playing feild. The objective of the game is to shoot a fuel supply into either a low or high goal (9 balls in for 1 point in the low goal and 3 balls in for every 1 point in the high goal), and by delivering enough gears to the airship for the human pkayers on board to attach and spin to gain even more points. The alliance with the most points wins.