Author: Scott Rippetoe

Earlier this summer, Texas Torque performed not one, but five demonstrations in our area. These demonstrations were done at local Primrose Preschools, for children from the ages of 2-6, as a way to give the children their very FIRST look at robotics. Team members distributed themselves among the five events around our community, promoting science and technology at the various presentations. Our 2013 World Championship robot “Sonic” was demonstrated at two of these events, while our 2014 robot “Rev1” had its very first showing at the three others. Our students took pride in explaining the function of our robot to the children.

Texas Torque is proud to be such an influential factor in the scientific growth of our community’s youth. We are continuing these efforts with more demonstrations in the near future and we will certainly continue to strive for an even greater impact.

In addition to the Houston Astros vs. Detroit Tigers game, there were FIRST teams all around Minute Maid Park this past Sunday. Texas Torque joined forces with robotics teams from around Houston to demonstrate their hard work and “Make it Loud”. Texas Torque was pleased to have organized this event for the second time in a row, and hope to establish this as an annual off-season event for all of the teams in the Houston area.

Starting early in the morning, robots could be seen everywhere in Minute Maid Park. 1477 Texas Torque and 624 CRyptonite demonstrated their 2013 robots from Ultimate Ascent in Union Station, much to the entertainment of the crowds. Our team members were happy to encourage the young children in attendance to join FIRST robotics teams in their schools. Just outside the entrance gates, robots from Aerial Assist performed alongside eachvother, propelling the 2014 game pieces into the air. As the Astro’s game spectators walked along the park’s inner rim, all of the teams had booths set up, playing release videos, showing off 2012 robots, and handing out stickers, buttons, and brochures. All of the teams in attendance were happy to answer the questions from the crowds and were proud to promote FIRST in our community.

FIRST Pitch was a huge success thanks to support by the Astros’ administration and management. We hope to continue our partnership with them, so that we may promote FIRST in the years to come.

A huge shout out to the other teams in attendance, 624 CRypotnite, 148 Robowranglers, 3847 Spectrum, and 2587 Discobots. Texas Torque would like to thank these teams again for their time, support, and participation in this event.

Texas Torque student speaking to a crowd of Astros game spectators.

Texas Torque had a very successful demo this past week at the grand opening of the Microsoft Store in The Woodlands. While there, Texas Torque engaged people of all ages by speaking about FIRST, FRC, and our team as the crowds waited to enter the store. We then showed off our 2012 Rebound Rumble robot and handed out stickers to the attending children. In addition to these normal demo activities, Texas Torque also had the opportunity to meet with James “The Beard” Harden, an olympic gold medalist and professional basketball player for The Rockets. Students were able to “Make it Loud” by talking to Harden about both FIRST Robotics and Texas Torque. Harden then signed our 2012 robot, Velociriptar, and in return Texas Torque offered him one of our iconic t-shirts.

James “The Beard” Harden with members of Texas Torque.

This past Fourth of July, Texas Torque team members walked the 1.3 mile stretch for this year’s city parade held annually in The Woodlands, Texas. Between the South Pacific musical and the firetruck, kids watched in awe as our robot, Rev1, shot 2 feet in diameter exercise balls to the crowd of Torque following behind. Proudly wearing it’s patriotism, Rev1 performed at its highest, mounted where all could see. Stickers and smiles were shared throughout the crowd as Texas Torque displayed it’s patriotism and spread the enjoyment of FIRST to an excited community.

We hope to participate in this wondrous event in the upcoming years, continuing to Make It Loud!