Navigating through the semifinals in the Edison division, we delivered standout performances, posting two of the highest scores witnessed all season. Regrettably, our efforts fell short, and FireWires was ultimately knocked out in the finals.

Amidst the award ceremony, we were thrilled to receive the Inspire 2 award, recognized as the most esteemed accolade in FIRST Robotics.

Reflecting on our season, we achieved notable victories:

• Inspire 2 at the Centergrove Qualifier
• Winning Alliance Captain at the Centergrover Qualifier
• Inspire Award at the South Bend Qualifier
• Winning Alliance Captain at the South Bend Qualifier
• Inspire 2 at the Dubois Qualifier
• Winning Alliance 1st Team Selected at the Dubois Qualifier
• Winning Alliance Captain at the Indiana State Championship
• Think Award at the Indiana State Championship

The post FireWires proudly represented GEARS at the FTC Championship appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

The fundraiser at Ace Hardware was an opportunity for the team to showcase our robots to the public while raising funds for our upcoming competitions. We set up a booth outside the store and sold hot dogs to hungry shoppers. We also demonstrated their robots, showing off the hard work they had put into designing and building them.

The event was a huge success, with many shoppers stopping by to watch the robot demonstrations and purchase hot dogs. We were thrilled with the turnout and were able to raise a significant amount of money for their team.

WSBT 22 came out and did a great story on us. We love when our local media comes out and supports STEM in the community.

The post Ace Hardware Fundraiser appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

The passing of House Bill 1382 is a major victory for proponents of robotics and STEAM education in Indiana. The bill will provide funding for teams to receive a kit of parts and registration for robotics competitions in the upcoming year. This will enable more students to participate in robotics and STEAM programs and gain hands-on experience in these fields.

The bill’s passing comes as a result of bipartisan efforts to promote STEM education in Indiana. By investing in robotics and STEAM programs, the state aims to provide its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the 21st century workforce.

More details on how teams can apply for funding will be available soon. Students, educators, and supporters of robotics and STEAM education across Indiana can look forward to the opportunities this bill will provide.

The post Indiana Legislature Passes House Bill 1382 to Fund Robotics and STEAM Programs appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

After reading the book, the students at Northpoint Elementary School were eager to learn more about wind power and how it can be used to generate electricity. However, they soon realized that they did not have access to any real windmills in their area. When a reporter asked them where the windmills were, the children proudly showed off their paper windmills they had made in class. He asked about real windmills that actually worked. The kids told them they didn’t know how.

Fortunately, a group of former Northpoint Elementary School students known as the Fire Wires heard about the children’s interest in wind power and decided to help. They offered to run a six-week class every Wednesday after school to teach the children how to build a real windmill.

The first project the children did in the class was to build sail cars and have races with them. The top three winners of the sail car races got to choose the side panels of the full-sized windmill’s theme. For the next two weeks, the children worked on the side panels, painting and designing them.

Finally, on the last day of the class, everything came together. The children attached the LEDs and side panels to a 400-watt, 8-foot-tall windmill. They were thrilled to see their hard work pay off as the windmill started to spin and generate electricity.

Through this project, the students at Northpoint Elementary School learned about the power of wind and how it can be used to generate electricity. They also gained valuable skills in design, engineering, and teamwork. This project shows that books can be a great way to inspire and teach children, and that with a little bit of help, they can achieve amazing things.

The post How One Elementary School in Indiana Used a Book to Teach Children About Wind Power appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

For those of you who don’ know, 1382 will fund FIRST and other robotics programs in Indiana very much the same way as Michigan does. We have gotten it this far and we are NOT going to quit.

Share this page. Here is an example email you can send, but please feel free to put in your own personal stories. Make these Senators look you in the eye and tell you no.

Here are the 3 Senators we need to email. (Feel free to send to other Senators as well).

Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov
Senator.Mishler@iga.in.gov
Senator.Rogers@iga.in.gov

• Student Email Template
• Parent Email Template
• Other Email Template

The post CALL TO ACTION: Save 1382! appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

import com.qualcomm.robotcore.eventloop.opmode.LinearOpMode;
import com.qualcomm.robotcore.hardware.DcMotor;
import com.qualcomm.robotcore.util.ElapsedTime;

private ElapsedTime runtime = new ElapsedTime();
private DcMotor leftFrontMotor;
private DcMotor rightFrontMotor;
private DcMotor leftBackMotor;
private DcMotor rightBackMotor;

@Override
public void init() {
  leftFrontMotor = hardwareMap.get(DcMotor.class, "left_front_motor");
  rightFrontMotor = hardwareMap.get(DcMotor.class, "right_front_motor");
  leftBackMotor = hardwareMap.get(DcMotor.class, "left_back_motor");
  rightBackMotor = hardwareMap.get(DcMotor.class, "right_back_motor");

  leftFrontMotor.setMode(DcMotor.Mode.RUN_WITHOUT_ENCODER);
  rightFrontMotor.setMode(DcMotor.Mode.RUN_WITHOUT_ENCODER);
  leftBackMotor.setMode(DcMotor.Mode.RUN_WITHOUT_ENCODER);
  rightBackMotor.setMode(DcMotor.Mode.RUN_WITHOUT_ENCODER);
}

@Override
public void loop() {
  // Read the gamepad inputs
  double x = gamepad1.left_stick_x;
  double y = gamepad1.left_stick_y;
  double rotation = gamepad1.right_stick_x;

  // Drive the robot
  leftFrontMotor.setPower(x + y + rotation);
  rightFrontMotor.setPower(x - y - rotation);
  leftBackMotor.setPower(x - y + rotation);
  rightBackMotor.setPower(x + y - rotation);

  // Display the runtime
  telemetry.addData("Runtime", runtime.seconds());
  telemetry.update();
}

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Mecanum Teleop in Onbot Java appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

One of the best things about gm0 is that it is completely free to use. You can access it online or download it as a PDF. gm0 is also available in multiple languages, so it can be used by teams all over the world.

If you are new to FTC, gm0 is a great place to start. It will teach you everything you need to know to get started with the competition. And if you are an experienced FTC team, gm0 can help you take your skills to the next level.

Here are some of the features of gm0:

• Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of FTC
• Written by experienced FTC mentors and students
• Constantly being updated with new information
• Available online and as a PDF
• Available in multiple languages

If you are interested in FTC, I encourage you to check out gm0. It is a valuable resource that can help you learn more about the competition and improve your skills.

The post Game Manual 0: The Ultimate Guide to FIRST Tech Challenge appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

Rev Robotics:

Rev Robotics is a popular choice among FTC teams. Its system is designed for quick and easy building, with a focus on modularity and versatility. The Rev system uses a variety of components, including motors, controllers, sensors, and structural parts. Teams can easily expand their robot’s capabilities with Rev’s plug-and-play system, allowing them to quickly switch out components as needed. Additionally, the Rev system is supported by an active online community and resources, making it easy for teams to get help when needed.

They use a system very similar to the popular 80/20 extrusion model. While GoBilda also has their own rail system it isn’t as integrated as Rev’s is.

Servocity:

Servocity is known for its high-quality components and precision engineering. Its system includes a wide range of gears, motors, and structural parts that allow for precise building and control. Servocity components are also durable and can withstand heavy use, making them a good choice for teams that plan to compete in multiple tournaments. However, the Servocity system can be more expensive than other options, and it may not be as easy to use for beginners.

In recent years Servocity has seemed to be less developed than their counterpart GoBilda.

GoBilda:

GoBilda is a newer system that has gained popularity in recent years. Its components are designed to be lightweight and easy to use, while still providing the precision needed for FTC competitions. GoBilda’s system includes a variety of structural parts, gears, and motors, as well as specialized components such as chassis and linear slides. Teams can also take advantage of GoBilda’s online tutorials and support resources to help them build and program their robots.

GoBilda is usually the cutting edge of hardware, new products are released regularly.

Tetrix:

Tetrix is a popular choice for beginners and intermediate teams. Its system includes a variety of structural parts, gears, and motors that are easy to assemble and use. The Tetrix system also includes a controller that is specifically designed for FTC competitions, making it easier for teams to program their robots. However, Tetrix components may not be as durable or precise as other options, and teams may find themselves limited in their design options.

Tetrix has in the last few years upgraded their offerings but was stagnant for many years.

Ultimately, the choice of build system will depend on the specific needs and goals of the team. Coaches should consider factors such as ease of use, precision, durability, and cost when making their decision. It may also be helpful to talk to other coaches and teams to see what systems they have had success with in the past. With the right build system and a lot of hard work, any FTC team can build a robot that can compete at the highest level.

If you are dealing with FIRST grants, then you will have to choose between Rev Robotics and Tetrix for kit of parts.  I would recommend Rev Robotics, their motors tend to be a little more configurable.

The post Choosing the Right Build System for Your FTC Team: A Guide to Rev Robotics, Servocity, GoBilda, Tetrix and Andymark appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

Blocks Programming:

Pros:

• No prior programming experience required
• Easy to use drag-and-drop interface
• Visual representation of code flow
• Good for beginners

Cons:

• Limited functionality compared to Java
• Difficult to read and modify complex code
• Limited debugging tools

Java Programming:

Pros:

• High-level programming language with advanced functionality
• Highly customizable code
• Large community and resources available for support
• Advanced debugging tools

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Time-consuming to write code compared to Blocks
• Requires prior programming knowledge

Based on these pros and cons, we recommend Blocks programming for beginners or teams with limited programming experience. The drag-and-drop interface and visual representation of code flow make it easy to learn and use. However, if your team is experienced in programming or looking for advanced functionality and customization, we recommend Java programming.

Remember, whichever language you choose, practice makes perfect! Keep coding and experimenting with your robot to improve your programming skills. Good luck and have fun with your First Tech Challenge!

The post Choosing Between Blocks and Java Programming for First Tech Challenge appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.

For the first project of the class, the Fire Wires tasked the students with creating sail cars, which they would then race in a double elimination tournament. The students utilized 3D printed wheels and simple craft supplies to construct their vehicles. In the time trials, each car was timed to determine their speed, and the 1v1 races pitted the cars against each other to determine the winner. The students showed off their ingenuity and creativity, using a range of materials and design techniques to construct their sail cars.

Katalyn emerged victorious, taking first place in the tournament, while Ted and Sawyer took second and third place, respectively. The competition was a fun and engaging way to encourage the students to think critically and creatively, utilizing their STEM knowledge to build a functional and fast sail car. The Fire Wires hope that the experience will inspire the students to continue pursuing their interests in STEM and to consider future careers in these fields.

Once the windmill is completed, it will serve as a valuable educational tool for future classes at Northpoint Elementary School. Students will be able to learn about the principles of wind energy and the mechanics of a wind turbine. They will also discover how the windmill converts wind energy into electrical energy, which will be stored in a battery and used to power LED lights. The windmill has the potential to generate up to 400 watts of electricity, providing a real-world example of renewable energy production.

The winners of the sail car competition will also have the opportunity to paint the windmill, choosing a theme that reflects their interests and creativity. The Fire Wires hope that this project will encourage students to think about the ways in which STEM knowledge can be applied in their daily lives, and how it can help to address the world’s biggest challenges, such as climate change.

Through this program, the Fire Wires are empowering the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. They hope that the students who participate in this program will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM fields, where they can continue to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

The post Harnessing the Wind: Northpoint Elementary Students Create Windmill as Part of Innovative STEM Class appeared first on The Fire Wires FTC Team 12014.