Vail 'Boxerbots' prepare for international competition | Events

The following story was submitted by Michael Barger, Boxerbot Team Captain

On January 5, the US Foundation for the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) released the task for the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition.

Team 1828, the Vail School District “Boxerbots”, are continuing in the competition for the eighth year in 2013. This year, the competition has tasked teams to construct a robot that weighs less than 120 pounds, is approximately two and a half feet square, and is capable of scoring frisbees into high goals and climbing an eight-foot pyramid.

The “Boxerbots” were founded at Vail Charter High School in 2006. The team welcomes members from the four major high schools in Vail. Students, grades eight to twelve, are responsible for building the robot from the ground up. With the wisdom and guidance of several excellent mentors, students design, program, build, test, and compete with the robot at regionals across the Western US and, in 2012, the International Championship in St Louis.

The “Boxerbots” are now hosted at Vail Academy and High School, on the grounds of the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park.

Caterpillar Inc. has graciously sponsored the team for the last three seasons and the U of A Tech Park supplies a build room on site. Also, both Cat and Tech Park companies provide mentors skilled in engineering, electronics, programming, and mechanics who are essential to the success of the team.

The robot build season for 2013 ends on February 19 and then The “Boxerbots” will attend the Phoenix Regional and the Inland Empire Regional in San Bernardino, California.

The team sponsor, science teacher Don Adams, is the main point of contact for the team. He can be reached at adamsd@vail.k12.az.us or by phone at (520)879-1913.

The team also has a Facebook page that is open for “likes” to anyone in the Tucson area and a website: www.1828boxerbots.org.