CCHS Robotics Team at to UNI for regional contest

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City High School Robotics Team is in Cedar Falls this week for the Iowa regional FIRST Robotics Competition.

Meeting after school since January, the team has been preparing for the FIRST contest, working to build a custom designed robot that can perform a specific set of tasks.

“The goal is to pick up cones and cubes and line them up,” said team co-captain Brayce Howlett.

After completing its task, the team’s robot must then maneuver itself up to a charging station, keeping its balance as it moves up the ramp.

Over the last two months, the students have been designing, building, programming and troubleshooting their robotic competitor. Everything from how it moves to how much it weighs to how it picks things up with its claw must be considered as they work to make sure it can complete its tasks while staying within the contest’s rules.

The team left on Thursday and is commuting to UNI through Friday and Saturday for the duration of the contest. More than 50 teams from Iowa and surrounding area will be participating in the event.

Beyond the robot itself, there is a strategic element to the contest as well. Throughout the competition, teams will be paired up and made to work together, making observing other teams and selecting which ones have machines that will complement their own a critical part of the game.

This is the second year that the Charles City team has participated in the FIRST contest. Last time around, they were recognized with best rookie awards, along with receiving an impact award for their work with area elementary students.

“For a rookie team, we kept getting told we were pretty good,” said fabrication captain Quinzey Praska.

This year, with more experience under their belt, the team members are aiming higher and challenging themselves harder. While their previous machine used some pre-made design elements, this year they’ve used their skills to build a new machine from the ground up.

“I’m proud that we were able to come up with our own design for this year,” said Howlett.

“This year we’re hoping to advance to nationals,” said co-captain Avery Schoeck.

If they are successful, the team will be invited to attend the national contest in Houston.