FIRST Robotics Competition

This weekend I had the distinct pleasure in assisting David Baker in shooting the FIRST Robotics Competition. Don't be confused, it isn't that it's the "first" robotics competition ever, FIRST, whose mission is to "inspire young people to be science and technology leaders..." sponsors robotics competitions all over the country. Other sponsors like ROC and BAE hand out thousands of dollars in scholarships and support. I took over 2,000 pictures, and had a blast.

Down in the pits. Make sure you have your safety glasses on at all times! Future Engineers at work.

This is the playing field. The name of the game, is Breakaway. It's like obstacle soccer for robots.

Mililani getting their robot ready for battle.

What's gonna work? Teaaaam Work!

Governor Linda Lingle. 

It's go time!!! 3 team alliances work together to score "soccer" goals with their robots.

 

From Campbell High School in New Jersey.

Watching these drivers compete gets pretty intense. 

Heading back to the pits, making some adjustments on the bots. Remember SAFETY FIRST!!

Driver, carrying his driver's station. Everything you need to control a robot in one neat package. Kinda Scary if you think about the future possibilities.

Even when I'm working I can't escape Kai-Lan

Each team had their own buttons, I was sporting a few myself. This was just one of the...unique ways they were being worn.

Just because the bot's are playing soccer, doesn't mean we can't too!

 

You can find sweet moments everywhere.

Volunteer award. Go BAE!

David was above him on the ladder trying to get the group shot when he was doing this. David started begging for his other camera!! I need it! I can't miss this shot! Once again! SAFETY!!!

Mckinley Girl's waiting for David to snap that group shot.

DAY 2. Time for the Elimination Rounds. Lines will be Drawn, Alliances will be formed and More pictures will be taken *snicker* 

Painting his war face on.

We were both amazed, robot vacuums, cleaning up for the robots. 

Let's hear it for the girls!!! ALL GIRLS ROBOT TEAM from Sacred Hearts Acadamey

Tools...and Sanitizer.

Tiger Pride. 

Sweet and innocent little boy?

WRONG! This is Waialua's Biggest Fan!! He was Vicious.

It's not all robots all day. These boys got out that extra burst of energy with a few rounds of Hacky Sack.

Girl Drivers Rule. 

Look at the intensity of the Kauai Team Captain's face.

Kauai's team was made up of all the schools from the WHOLE island. 

Yeah, She's fierce.

Time for a few last minute Bot-ifications. Don't worry no robots were harmed in the making of this blog. Out on the field however....

These bots did battle. 

McKinley taking their robot down from a hang. 2 extra points when a robot accomplishes this, 3 points if a robot hangs from another robot doing a hang.

While taking a break before the FINAL round. The team mascots all joined together with the DJ, to dance to thriller.

Wide-Angle shot of the beginning of Finals. In the end the Mckinley-Waialua-Campbell (Hawaii's Own, Not New Jersey's) Alliance captured the first place win.

So We celebrated.....with fire.

This. is. my. favorite. shot. Ever. 

 A few team shots. 

David's final shots of the day were of his alma mater and favorite team, Mckinley High School.

And mine were of David orchestrating the madness into organized chaos. 

All and all it was a  great weekend.  I developed a new found respect for what these kids do, it truly is the, "Varsity sport for the mind." These kids are our future engineers, scientist and inventors. These kids are our future.  

..and remember. Safety First!!!

 

Until next time, Piece. Out.