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Globe Robotics year in review

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Globe — 2016-17 was an exciting year for the Globe Robotics teams. This marked the first year for the FIRST Lego League (FLL#24758), a very successful year two for the FIRST Tech Challenge Team (FTC#10246), and a breakthrough season for the FIRST Robotics Competition Team (FRC#5059).

Our Junior FLL Cicadas competed in the Animal Allies Game with six very dedicated elementary school students. They ranked 4th out of 25 teams in their one competition in December. Team members learned so much from the event as they networked with other teams. The district has high hopes for the continued development of this division of the Robotics program.

The Emerging FTC Cicadas soared during this year’s Velocity Vortex Game. They competed in four events, including the State Regional this past February in Flagstaff. Students took on the challenge almost entirely independent of coaching influence. The concept, design, and materialization of the 18x18” Robot sat squarely on the shoulders of this team.

Their efforts received several accolades and awards throughout the season, including advancement into the final rounds of the State Finals and an invitation for team co-captain Kendra Martinez to compete for the international Dean’s List award in Houston. The FRC Midnight Cicadas (FRC#5059) team had an exponential growth year as well. As a team, they successfully mentored new members, and also successfully designed and built a custom robot without the aid of a pre-fabricated chassis.

They also utilized precision mechanical tools courtesy of Resolution Copper and Freeport McMoRan’s generous support to increase the group’s infrastructure and continued growth. The close of the season culminated in a trip to the FIRST World Championships in Houston from April 19-22.

Kendra Martinez celebrated her AZ Dean’s List nomination with a special luncheon attended by the FIRST organizational VIPs, including founder Dean Kamen himself. The team took advantage of this amazing event by partaking in several conferences, interviewing teams from all the divisions, drooling over Hall of Fame robots, watching top level competition, and experiencing the adventure, Texas-style.

The start of the visit included a trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a sneak peak of The Robonauts’, a NASA FIRST team based at the center. It was a non-stop, action-packed, journey that the team fully took advantage of. The team welcomes the new season inspired, motivated, and prepared to further spread the FIRST Robotics culture to everyone willing to listen.

Thanks once again to teams’ amazing partners for their generosity and continued backing: Globe USD, Resolution Copper, Freeport McMoRan, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, and AZ Tax Credit Donors. Robotics also welcomes the newest sponsor for this upcoming season — Boeing, an active partner with FIRST International. Regional engineers actively mentor several Valley teams and would like to be a part of The Midnight Cicadas’ continued growth and sustainability. Their financial backing will be earmarked for the team to compete in two FRC regional events annually.

This is the next step in the team’s evolution and insurance for The Midnight Cicadas to remain in the community for many years to come. Come visit us on May 12 during the annual Relay for Life at Globe’s Harbison Field or the Summer Reading Program Library Kick-off on June 10 at Bullion Plaza in Miami. Stay tuned for ongoing community outreach with STEM Robotics Camp action coming soon.