The Southside Middle School robotics team is as unique as the BEST competition. This team is made up of only eighth grade students from the Talented and Gifted program. Unlike most schools, our team members will have never experienced BEST robotics. The team's teacher leader is Mrs. Terina Gantt. This is her second year as teacher leader. The team is also mentored by a group of devoted mentors from Neptune Technology Group. These men volunteer their time to assist our team members and provided guided instruction throughout the engineering design process.
During the planning process, this year's team decided upon a divide and conquer mentality. Team members divided up into smaller units and took on specific tasks. The team members felt this was the best way to ensure all task were completed effectively and efficiently. Each team member gained valuable experience in their chosen units and were also able to assist in other areas as well.
THE T-SHIRT DESIGN TEAM
The 2013 T-Shirt designer is Jean Leah Atkins. Jean Leah came up with the idea for this design by brainstorming ideas from simply hearing the term 'gatekeeper'. Her idea relates to a robot guarding a gate to protect the contents on the inside. The Southside Robot is the only one that holds the key to 'unlock the gate'. She then incorporated a castle theme. The entire team approved the idea and decided to place a link on the t-shirt (via a QR code) that would take the viewer directly to the Southside Middle School webpage.
The 2013 T-Shirt designer is Jean Leah Atkins. Jean Leah came up with the idea for this design by brainstorming ideas from simply hearing the term 'gatekeeper'. Her idea relates to a robot guarding a gate to protect the contents on the inside. The Southside Robot is the only one that holds the key to 'unlock the gate'. She then incorporated a castle theme. The entire team approved the idea and decided to place a link on the t-shirt (via a QR code) that would take the viewer directly to the Southside Middle School webpage.
THE BASE AND ARM TEAM
Jacob, Brien and Hunter
The base and arm team worked diligently to develop a base that would hold all of the components of our robot, while remaining compliant. The team designed a base that would contain rotating gears, a pulley system (a mast) that would raise and lower the arm and grip They also designed and built a box that would hold the battery. They revised their plan multiple times to ensure the arm would raise and lower smoothly.
Jacob, Brien and Hunter
The base and arm team worked diligently to develop a base that would hold all of the components of our robot, while remaining compliant. The team designed a base that would contain rotating gears, a pulley system (a mast) that would raise and lower the arm and grip They also designed and built a box that would hold the battery. They revised their plan multiple times to ensure the arm would raise and lower smoothly.
THE GRIP TEAM
Hadden, Caden and Jordan
The grip team came up with the idea for the robot hand. They wanted a grip that would be able to pick up multiple objects. Using the strategy that the team decided upon using the decision matrix, the grip team focused their sites on picking up the transistors to place in the and, or and not gates and moving the integrated circuits to the and, or and not gates. The hand would have curved finger-like metal pieces with a cushioned material attached.
Hadden, Caden and Jordan
The grip team came up with the idea for the robot hand. They wanted a grip that would be able to pick up multiple objects. Using the strategy that the team decided upon using the decision matrix, the grip team focused their sites on picking up the transistors to place in the and, or and not gates and moving the integrated circuits to the and, or and not gates. The hand would have curved finger-like metal pieces with a cushioned material attached.
THE WEBSITE TEAM
Hunter and Caden
The Southside Middle School Robotics team was developed, designed and maintained by Caden and Hunter. Mrs. Gantt, the teacher sponsor set up the account through Weebly.com for Education. The team contributed pictures, insights into the game, the BEST organization and the support of our community. The hope is that this website is both informative and entertaining for its viewers.
Hunter and Caden
The Southside Middle School Robotics team was developed, designed and maintained by Caden and Hunter. Mrs. Gantt, the teacher sponsor set up the account through Weebly.com for Education. The team contributed pictures, insights into the game, the BEST organization and the support of our community. The hope is that this website is both informative and entertaining for its viewers.
THE DRAFTING TEAM
Jordan and Jacob
The drafting team provided renderings of the parts of the robot in both 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional drawings. They worked in conjunction with Jack Kelly, a volunteer mentor from Neptune. Jack first led a session with the entire team on how to draw parts and to appropriately label those parts. He then guided Jacob and Jordan as they worked through the robot drawings and all modifications. These drawings are included in the Project Engineering Notebook.
Jordan and Jacob
The drafting team provided renderings of the parts of the robot in both 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional drawings. They worked in conjunction with Jack Kelly, a volunteer mentor from Neptune. Jack first led a session with the entire team on how to draw parts and to appropriately label those parts. He then guided Jacob and Jordan as they worked through the robot drawings and all modifications. These drawings are included in the Project Engineering Notebook.
THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING TEAM
Jean Leah and Brien
The software programming team worked with mentors to program the VEX controller to operate the robot. The software team diligently worked to program the controller with the most convenient buttons. The software was also used to slow down the speed of rotation of the arm. The software team will also be responsible for making sure the batteries are charged on game day.
Jean Leah and Brien
The software programming team worked with mentors to program the VEX controller to operate the robot. The software team diligently worked to program the controller with the most convenient buttons. The software was also used to slow down the speed of rotation of the arm. The software team will also be responsible for making sure the batteries are charged on game day.
THE PROJECT ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK TEAM
Jean Leah and Brien
While all team members contributed to the project engineering notebook, Jean Leah and Brien took on the daunting task of organizing and editing this product. The project engineering notebook is evidence of how we used the engineering process throughout the six weeks. The notebook includes the decision matrix, drawings, strategies, time trials and research paper.
Jean Leah and Brien
While all team members contributed to the project engineering notebook, Jean Leah and Brien took on the daunting task of organizing and editing this product. The project engineering notebook is evidence of how we used the engineering process throughout the six weeks. The notebook includes the decision matrix, drawings, strategies, time trials and research paper.