The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Kickoff was on January 5. This year, the challenge is called “Ultimate Ascent,” where the constructed robots must be able to throw frisbees into specific goals, and even successfully climb a tower at the end of the round for bonus points (to see more click here).

All of the teams have a total of six weeks to design and build a robot fit for the challenge. During this time, the Bears’ team, Team 766, hold lengthy meetings, two from 5 to 9 on weekdays, and one from 9 to 5 on a weekend day. This is a time consuming schedule, thus making robotics the focus the team members’ lives for the pre-competiton period, but the members still find this dedication worth while and enjoyable.

Junior Nicky Ivy claims that it all allows for him to “[be] productive and [have] fun at the same time.”

At the end of the six week building period, teams must completely stop working on their robots until competition time.

The competitions, that start in late February, see teams worldwide competing in regional competitions, which narrow down the teams for the Championships. Teams that place the highest locally, will have the chance to go to the Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. M-A’s Team 766 will be competing in Davis March 21st to the 23, and in San Jose April 4th to the 6th.

They hope to find success in the early stages, and eventually make it to the Championships.