From March 26th to March 29th, Brewster High School’s robotics team, CyBearBots, traveled to Albany, NY, for the Tech Valley Regional. It’s part of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and brings together teams from across the region to compete. It serves as an opportunity for teams like CyBearBots and Team 7504, to showcase their robotics skills and compete against other teams in a collaborative and competitive environment.
Each year, the FIRST Robotics Competition features a new theme that challenges teams to apply their engineering, programming, and problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios. This year, the theme is Reefscapes, including a plastic coral reef, barge, and processor. Teams were tasked with modifying their robots to complete various tasks related to coral reefs. The robots needed to perform actions such as removing algae and placing it in designated areas, along with placing coral on different parts of the reef in a certain time frame.
Each match has six robots which split into two alliances each round, red and blue. The alliances compete to earn the most points (points are earned through placing the coral on the reef, the algae in the barge or processor, and the robot hanging/parking at the end). Certain parts of the game get each team ranking points, which places them on the leaderboard.
In robotics, there are many different sections of the team that work together to create a functioning robot and a productive environment as a whole. The coding team was responsible for programming the robot, making sure it could perform tasks like navigating the field, picking up algae and coral, and responding to various conditions during matches. They worked tirelessly to ensure the robot’s actions were precise and efficient. They also coded the autonomous section of the match, which is the first 15 seconds where robots move without being driven utilizing code. The mechanics team designed and built the physical structure of the robot. They focus on making the robot both strong and functional, ensuring it could withstand the demands of the competition. Their work on the drive system and mechanisms was key to the robot’s performance during the season. The drive team was responsible for operating the robot during matches. They need to stay sharp and work seamlessly with the rest of the team to execute strategies in real-time. The pressure was high, but their skill and coordination were essential to our success.
As a member of the business team, I worked on a different side of the competition. Prior to the competition, my peers and I promoted the team, managed finances, handled outreach, and prepared for the Impact Award Presentation, an award we applied for in order to demonstrate the impact our team has on the community. We worked on crafting the team’s image, ensuring we were seen as both competent and professional. Then, when we arrived at the competition, we took on the scouting role. The business team created a scouting sheet to keep track of where the robots from other teams were able to score, how their robot works, and additional information that could be useful during the matches. The drive team was able to utilize this data to further prepare and better their performance, since they had a basis of knowledge on what they were up against. If you’re interested in joining CyBearBots but don’t want to work directly with the robot, the business team is a great option, as you’ll play a crucial and supportive role.
This year in Albany, we made significant progress as a team, refining our robot and gaining valuable competition experience as a team of young members. Despite facing some tough matches, we adapted quickly and continued to improve with each round. When the competition started, after the practice matches, we began performing well and ended up ranked 11th. However, as the competition went on, we were paired with under-performing teams, and we lost our last two matches during that time. Unfortunately, our ranking dropped from 11th to 24th, and ultimately we were not selected for the finals, despite our strong performance in the qualifying rounds.
Our team had a great experience at the Tech Valley Regional in Albany. Not only did we have the chance to showcase our hard work and skills, but we also grew closer as a team. Over the course of the competition, we went out to eat together, giving us an opportunity to bond and reflect on the event. Under the guidance of Mrs. Riley, Dr. Kozlenko, and Ms. Schneider, we learned valuable lessons. Their constant support kept us motivated and encouraged us every step of the way.
While we didn’t make it to the finals this year, the experience was valuable for all of us. We learned a lot of important lessons throughout the competition, especially in areas where we can improve for next year. One of the biggest takeaways was how far we’ve come as a team. We started the season with only 4 returning members, and now we’ve grown to a much stronger and more experienced group, with 38 total members who bring fresh ideas and energy. We plan to pass down our knowledge to the new members next year and create a cycle of knowledge circulating through the team. This growth sets us up for an even better season next year, as we continue to develop our skills and teamwork, building on everything we learned in Albany and throughout the competition season. Competing at the Tech Valley Regional in Albany gave us the chance to see how we measured up against other teams, and despite our population of new members, we were able to rise to the challenge. CyBearBots is eager to return to the Tech Valley Regional in Albany next year, aiming to reach the finals by applying the lessons and strategies we gained from this season.
