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My FIRST Story

For me personally, FIRST has molded the things I enjoy into a career opportunity. It began when I was preparing to go to middle school. I was taking a Lego robotics program over the summer because I enjoyed playing with Legos. The program was fun and we built very simple robots and programmed them by following directions and using a very simple interface. At the end of the summer, the robotics team from Vanden came down and demonstrated their robot from that year

I was amazed as they hung such a large robot from such a small basketball hoop at our school. They explained how everything worked and it seemed extremely complicated at the time. Intrigued, I had to learn more, so I joined the GATE Lego program at the middle school to continue learning about these amazing robots and eventually I had the opportunity to come to the high school and join in the robotics team. I dove right in.

Build Season came and I spent night after night learning about tools, computers, electronics, gear ratios, and so much more. It was amazing to me. My second year I stepped in to do the electronics for our team with the senior who did it before me graduating. I started to teach others and learn more with every passing month about everything. My third year I stepped into the newly created position of Engineering Director, I was given the opportunity to lead all parts of our team. I made sure deadlines were met and ordered parts. I had to make sure everything was going smoothly so we could finish on time. This final year I’ve taken on the opportunity to teach what I’ve learned over all these years to younger students.

The competitions from all over the country, the information I‘ve received, the concepts I’ve learned, and just the experience of all that which FIRST provides has shaped my life, and convinced me that I want to become an electrical engineer more than anything else. FIRST is amazing. The spirit of the competition, the speed of the robots, the feelings of accomplishment when those lights flash on, that code compiles, or those wheels and mechanisms work just as you designed them to, is out of this world. It’s beyond the feeling any traditional sport or club can bring because it unites so much: the intense deadlines, friendliness of everyone involved, and the nearly limitless knowledge of the participants, and mentors.  I want nothing more than to see someone inspired by this technology and this atmosphere, and use that inspiration to change the world and benefit everyone

Upcoming Events

February 21, 2012

Ship Day! This is the last day we can work on our robot. We have to bag it up at 3 pm ready for Davis.

March 15-17, 2012

Sacramento regional. The RoboVikes 1st competition! Come and support us at the UC Davis Pavillion!

What else are we doing? Check out our Google Calendar.