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THS Robotics

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Est. 2008

About

What is FIRST Tech Challenge?

It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (10+ members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages, including Java. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships. Each season concludes with Super-Regional Championships and an exciting FIRST Championship.

 

FIRST Tech Challenge teams get to:

  • Design, build, and program robots

  • Apply real-world math and science concepts

  • Develop problem-solving, collaboration, and team-building skills

  • Build and become strong leaders

  • Understand and practice Gracious Professionalism™

  • Cooperate and compete in alliances at tournaments

  • Compete for awards on and off the field

  • Participate in a tiered competition that culminates at the FIRST Championship

  • Qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships

Thurston FTC Facts 

  • The Robotics Team started in 2008/2009 as an after school program. It was all boys.

  • In 2009/2010, a girls’ team was started and the boys’ team was continued.

  • Robotics became a class in 2010/2011 and the teams still spend time after school and on Saturdays working on their robots in order to be ready for competition.

  • In 2012/2013 a third team was added. In 2015/2016 a fourth team was added, and a fifth team was added in 2017/2018.

  • Each year the FIRST Tech Challenge is different, requiring a different field and a different robot design. Details of the challenge are released in early September each year.

  • The Challenge is a game played by robots and requires offensive and defensive strategies. It is not robots fighting each other.

  • FIRST Tech Challenge robots are built using a Gobilda Robotics kit which is similar to an Erector Set. Additional parts as specified in the game manual can be used or fabricated. In their starting position, robots must fit into an 18” cube. The robot can expand to any size after the game starts. Robots are controlled remotely using one or two game controllers and two android devices. One phone on the robot and the other phone is connected to the controller(s).

  • Programming is done in JAVA or Block Programming through FIRST.

  • The team members design, build, program, and operate their robots.

  • The teams build a practice field each year based on the current challenge.

  • Team members at Thurston also learn to perform outreach, public relations and marketing tasks for the team. Prepare meeting agendas and facilitate “Progress Meetings”, and speak before teams of judges during competitions and speak before the public.

  • It takes about $2,500 per year to support one team. Costs for a team include registration costs ($275), Robotics parts and supplies which varies year to year, some travel expenses which also varies year to year, tournament costs ($225 per team), and miscellaneous team supplies for presentations, etc.

  • The Thurston Robotics program is funded through sponsors, fundraisers, and a $20 shop fee per student. The program expenses are not paid for by the district.

  • We added a fifth team in 2017, they did great for it being their first year.  

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The Metal Mercenaries 3093​

Est. 2008

Team Members: 

Brennan (Junior)-2nd year

Elijah (Junior)- 1st year

Gavin (Junior)-2nd year

Nik (Senior)- 3rd year

Chee (Freshmen)- 1st Year

Social Media Pages

Follow their social media pages to see what this team has been up to by clicking on the names below.

Legacy Team 6476

Est. 2012

Team Members:

Ethan (Senior)- 1st year

Ryan (Senior)- 2nd year

Quinten (Junior)- 2nd year

Isaac (Junior)- 1st year

Chase (Senior)- 3rd year

Maya (Junior)- 3rd year

Carrie-Anna (Senior)- 4th year

Social Media Pages

Follow their social media pages to see what this team has been up to by clicking on the names below.

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Ace of Spades 10428

Est. 2015

Team Members:

Bridgette (Senior)- 3rd year

MJ (Junior)- 2nd year

Travis (Junior)- 2nd year

Jeffery (Sophomore)- 1st year

Boris (Jr)- 1st year

Lexi (Senior)- 2nd year

Social Media Pages

Follow their social media pages to see what this team has been up to by clicking on the names below.

Apollo 12721

Est. 2017

Team Members:

Brody (Senior)- 3rd year

Saben (Senior)- 2nd year

Lucus (Sophomore)- 1st year

Ashton (Sophomore)- 1st year

Cael (Sophomore)- 1st year

Social Media Pages

Follow their social media pages to see what this team has been up to by clicking on the names below.

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Federal Thunder Chickens
3963

Est. 2019

Team Members:

Vanessa (Junior)- 2nd year

Adelaide (Junior)- 2nd year

Gary (Senior)- 3rd year

Jakob (Sophomore)- 1st year

Andrew (Junior)- 1st Year

Brytan (Sophomore) -1st year

Social Media Pages

Follow their social media pages to see what this team has been up to by clicking on the names below.

What is FTC?
Thurston FTC Facts
Black Ice Warriors 3093
Player 1 6476
Ace of Spades 10428
Elixir 12721
Tech No Logic 3963

Sponsors

Info
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Donors

Thank you so much to all the family and friends who have graciously donated to the robotics program.

Contact Info

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Thurston High School

Teacher/Coach Jan Hampton

Email: jan.hampton@springfield.k12.or.us

Phone Number: 541-744-5000

Home Website: https://ths.springfield.k12.or.us/

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