FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be. The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals. FIRST redefines winning for these students because they are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last. What is unique about the FRC program?
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It is a sport where the participants play with the pros and learn from them
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Designing and building a robot is a fascinating real-world professional experience
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Competing on stage brings participants as much excitement and adrenaline rush as conventional varsity tournaments
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The game rules are a surprise every year
Division By Zero’s initial step into FIRST Robotics began with the FRC in 1999. Founded by Clarkson University student Kim O’Toole, Team 229 began with a vision of starting an FRC team in Upstate New York, based out of Clarkson. This vision developed into a joint mentorship between Clarkson college students and participating districts highschool teachers. As with any new and daring idea the road ahead was at best, rocky. Securing sponsorship was half the battle, locating willing school districts was the other half. In 229’s first year, two highschool districts Potsdam and Massena Central Schools agreed to join the program. However after a shaky start Potsdam Highschool opted out of the program. Moving quickly to preserve 229’s future, team mentors located a new school district, Salmon River Central School. Within two years, Team 229 was off to an exciting start . Now with a dedicated team, Division By Zero began making successful appearances at various regionals, throughout the US. Finally in 2004 after many hours of hard work and dedication, Team 229 won its first regional, and more wins would be soon to follow. Now in 2010 after 12 successful years of operation, Team 229’s partnership with FIRST, is stronger than ever. Working with VEX components in the Fall, Division By Zero students learn the engineering and design process. This process is implemented by designing and building VEX robots to compete in the previous years FTC game. Using this method, Team 229 transitions smoothly into the Spring, where highschool students, work with college student mentors to prototype, design and build FRC Robots. As 229 moves forward, it is always our desire to build better, smarter, robots. However we do not forgot the reason why we began. That reason was to give the youth of the North Country, an opportunity of a life time. An opportunity where students learn basic life skills such as respect, honesty and hard work. And these basic skills develop into critical thinking and problem solving for the future.
