Category: Outreach

Demo Blitz Week for Texas Torque

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This past week has been one of the most active weeks in Texas Torque’s history, with robot tuning, lab organization… and three demonstrations at elementary schools in the Conroe Independent School District.

Team members distributed themselves among the three events at Armstrong Elementary, Anderson Elementary, and Bush Elementary, promoting science and technology at the various presentations. For many of the students, this was their first time getting to see a fully functional robot from Texas Torque; while some of the students remembered seeing our 2012 robot, VelociRiptar, we also presented our 2013 robot, Sonic, at two of the three demonstrations. Our students took great pride in explaining both the functions of our robot and our team to children and parents alike. Even our newest members were able to demonstrate knowledge of our team and FIRST as a whole.

And, of course, our team encouraged all students to join robotics if interested. We advertised FIRST programs to all students, suggesting everything from FIRST Lego League (FLL) to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) as a channel for robotics experience. Many were pleasantly surprised to hear of our open membership policy and the range of students who can join Texas Torque in addition to the skill and poise that all volunteer members exhibited.

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Texas Torque is proud to be such an influential factor in the scientific growth of our community’s youth. In the future, we will certainly continue to strive for an even greater impact.

Texas Torque Volunteers at Local Science Events

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Texas Torque is well known for its active role in the community, and this year has been no exception. Despite one of the busiest schedules in Texas Torque’s history, team members made a constant effort to help out with the Sci:// Tech Exposition, an annual series of events and competitions held in Conroe ISD to promote science and technology.
At the beginning of the campaign, Texas Torque held a demonstration at the Lone Star Expo, where team members answered questions about the team and the 2013 robot. Outreach Captain Matt Bartell worked hard to organize members of the team to help judge the Junior and Senior divisions of the Engineering Design Competition, where students in grades 7 through 12 built basic robots to complete tasks on a timed course.
We are continuing these efforts with more demonstrations in the near future. Thanks to Texas Torque volunteers, the Sci://Tech Exposition was a great success, and hundreds of students were able to take part in a well-executed exploration into STEM applications.

Legislative Director Michael Houck visits TTWHQ

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This afternoon, Texas Torque hosted Michael Houck, the legislative director in the office of State Representative of District 15, Steve Toth.

Team members had the pleasure of showing Mr. Houck around our workspace, introducing him to the subteams that keep our organization running smoothly. Toward the middle of our meeting, Co-captain Vaishu Kishore, Outreach Lead Matthew Bartell, and Public Relations Lead Humphrey Obuobi led our guest to see the various prototypes within Texas Torque World Headquarters, including those developed within the current season. “Sonic,” our World Championship robot, was briefly demonstrated as well.

Students discuss the future of Texas Torque with Legislative Director Michael Houck.

Students discuss the future of Texas Torque with Legislative Director Michael Houck.

Mr. Houck also discussed the future goals of Texas Torque with these team representatives, including the possibility of a STEM center available to students of the Conroe Independent School District. We hope to develop the idea in the future to include all students in CISD involved in STEM related extracurricular activities and beyond. At the conclusion of our meeting, Mr. Houck presented Texas Torque with a congratulatory statement from the state government on our victory at the 2013 World Championship.

Texas Torque looks forward to a continued relationship with District 15 and the Texas state government, in addition to the potential advances that could result from their partnership and guidance.

Demonstration at Sci://Tech Exposition

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This past weekend, Texas Torque members traveled up to the Lone Star Convention Center for the Sci://Tech Exposition, a yearly convention of science and technology for students in the Conroe Independent School District.

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At the event, children from all over the district came together to see our Championship-winning robot, “Sonic,” while team members answered questions concerning robot design, engineering, and safety. Adults and children alike were fascinated by the outstanding feats of engineering on display. Rud Merriam, moderator of the website “Mystic Lake Software,” had this to say about the team:

This competition is for high-school students and, to be blunt, you have to be impressed by their poise and ability to engage with adults and children about their team and robot.

Through this demonstration, Texas Torque was able to reach hundreds of students in the district, thus continuing to spread the principles of STEM throughout the greater Houston area. The event was undeniably an enjoyable experience for both team members and spectators, and we hope to return next year to hopefully reach an even greater audience.

Texas Torque in New York for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Along with four other award-winning FIRST teams from around the nation, Texas Torque was chosen to kick off the festivities at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York. As the winner of the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, Torque, in particular, was given the special honor of cutting the ribbon at the start of the parade. The weeks before the event were spent preparing the award-winning robot, SONIC, for the 2.5 mile journey and equipping the robot with the golden scissors supplied by Macy’s. The other teams attending the event were to build contraptions capable of shooting confetti during the parade.

In New York, four representatives of Texas Torque joined members of FRC 1538 (The Holy Cows), FRC 16 (Baxter Bomb Squad), FRC 25 (Raider Robotics), and FRC 180 (S.P.A.M.) in anticipation of the event. The Holy Cows and Texas Torque were featured in a morning news segment by Fox and Friends, adding to the multiple media appearances over the course of the week. In the highly-anticipated moment, Texas Torque and the other four teams made history by becoming the first robotics teams to begin the festivities at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, an event now witnessed by the 50 million viewers of the parade nationwide. SONIC successfully cut the red ribbon, and all teams and robots traveled the full length of the parade.

#runningwithscissors #makingitloud

The highly-anticipated moment in action. (Photo credit: Adriana M. Groisman)

FRC 1477, Texas Torque, would like to thank FIRST for the honor of representing the organization on the national stage. In addition, the team thanks the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade administration for the incredible opportunity and their support of the FIRST program, as well as FedEx and Southwest Airlines for their services and their partnership with FIRST. All supporters and sponsors of Texas Torque deserve our utmost gratitude for all of their help throughout this amazing year.

Texas Torque to Lead Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been a well-known (and well-attended) tradition for the past 86 years. Every year, the parade amazes those who watch it with mind-boggling presentations and floats.

Texas Torque has been given the honor of leading the parade along with four other FIRST Robotics Competition teams from the United States, including:

  • Team 1538, The Holy Cows, from San Diego, California
  • Team 180, S.P.A.M., from Stuart, Florida
  • Team 16, The Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home, Arkansas, and
  • Team 25, Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick, New Jersey

As the winner of the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, Texas Torque will have the special honor of cutting the ribbon with the award-winning robot, “Sonic,”  to start the parade. All robots and teams will travel the length of the 2.5 mile parade.

Texas Torque’s 2013 robot, “Sonic,” is ready for the trip to New York City. #runningwithscissors

 

Texas Torque would like to thank Macy’s and the FIRST organization for this amazing opportunity and looks forward to the journey.

Follow the link to learn more:

http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/robots-come-first-at-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade