Suffield Shakedown!!!!!

Hello World,

If you didn't know, yesterday (Saturday February 20, 2010) was Suffield Shakedown. Now I'm guessing you probably want to know what Suffield Shakedown is and what it is all about. Suffield Shakedown is a where all the teams come together and 'unveil' their team made robot for the new game 'Breakaway'. Unfortunately our Team(Team Paragon) was unable to play in the Scrimmage. The reason for that was because our robot named 'Scurvy' (there may be a name change) drive chain was jumping off the gears. This simply means that our robot could only drive a few feet before it simply stopped. This is why 'Scurvy' was unable to make it to the competition.

Even with the set back, it didn't stop the Paragon Spirit. In fact, it made the team work even harder. During each match (with very few breaks) you heard our voices in the stands cheering on ourselves, other teams and also FIRST. We especially helped out the rookie team 3146 Granby G.R.U.N.T.S by cheering whenever they had a match. We didn't just cheer on other teams. We also Sang along with the music whether it was Ke$ha's Tik Tok or N*SYNC or even changing the lyrics from "Hey Micky" to "Hey Andy". However, those wasn't the only fun parts, it was also doing the Cotton Eye Joe, Cupid Shuffle, and also the infamous Cha Cha Slide. By doing all of this we were able to win Suffield Shakedown Spirit Award THREE YEARS IN A ROW!!!!!!!!! What made this award even better was that we did it without a robot to cheer for. This definitely seems like our most memorable Shakedown, but we'll never know until next year.

Until then, best of luck to the other teams and to those who don't have a team, keep reading about how we do! Don't forget to Bookmark our page and keep reading.
-Your blog hostess'
Xianni and Shila

BLOG three!

Salutations, robot fans!

Today in robotics there's a lot of buzzing going on. Everyone's become hostile little worker bees to prepare for the upcoming event, "The Suffield Shakedown." But enough with the bees, because we'll be on our A-Game!

But let's get into it. Here's the daily scoop:

Electrical:

In Electrical, they completed a 3 day project which is the soul contribution that has to do with the wiring for the robot.

Mr. Susca explains the process to me and breaks it up in to 3 different work days:

Day 1: Electrical works on a 6 gauge battery wiring, to connect the main power, to the power distribution panels

Day 2: They work on primary input to route the 6 gauge wire which brings everything from the main power, to the power distribution board

Day 3: Concludes to output wiring wires all the robot control system (meaning speed control), and the robot function components

Admin:

In admin they worked on writing up and administering forms for the upcoming field trips (i.e., Suffield Shakedown & BATTLECRY@WPI) in which our robots will be competing. They also work on the continuous flow of pictures for our website, video montage, and information for the pitbook.

Mechanical:

Mechanical had nothing too exciting for us today. The drivers test was given to find out who will operate the robot in competitions. It's a little slow, but everyone's working conscientiously to meet their deadlines. What we like to call CRUNCH TIME! so less talky, more worky! (:

So as our deadline approaches, there will be more chaotic, busy, rapid working going on! Which means, stay in touch with our blog so you can keep track along with what we're up to!

Keep reading! and also check out the exciting new developments on our website http://www.team-paragon.org/ .

Pretty awesome huh?

Remember to bookmark us, follow us, love us.

And also have a lovely day.

Blog Entry Two!

Hello robotics fans, good afternoon/morning/or night,

whatever time you may be reading this!

Glad to see you're back.

Well let's get right into it, shall we?

Today's Team Agenda

Admin:

Mama Susca worked on making the forms for the exciting upcoming trips!

Such as :

The Suffield Shakedown

and

Battlecry@WPI

Another one of our lovely administrators, Divya, persistently continued working on the pitbook, which is oh-so important to us! She also finished the community outreach, fundraising and GOING GREEN! campaign pages.

And you thought Team Paragon was all blue and orange, but we're also GREEN (not green with envy, all though the other teams may be)! But actually, Team Paragon is saving the environment and the world we live in one cup at a time, reusing cups and plates. Also recycling bottles and cans, while using the funds of recycled containers, to buy more things to benefit or help the team. So Team Paragon isn't just flashy robots and amazing people, but also money savvy and environmentally savvy. Quite a dashing combination of stupendous qualities, don't you think?!

Electrical:

In electrical, the work on a new layout for the robot, Devin says, "We made the final layout for the electroquarium and we're putting it on Jenny Craig" which is an amazing way to put it! Haha! For competitions their robot needs to adhere to a certain weight requirement/limit. So Electrical makes it lighter by "swiss cheesing" it. "Swiss cheesing" it, an interesting, and delicious term that basically means they are putting holes everywhere and anywhere they can, to reduce the weight.

FTC:

Today in FTC Linnea says, "We're trying to figure out a new name for our robot " The possible idea of George Flipsy comes about. Which is an adorable name don't you think?

Mechanical:

In Mechanical we see our dear friend Tim, cutting wood and metal parts for the final robot. He works diligently while finishing up the lexan ramp for the robot and practicing driving the practice robot.

Ah, Our robot's coming to life! It's so exciting!

Video Productions:

Video productions shot some awesome footage of both, mechnical and electrical at work, for the build season video/montage. It's made made every year, and is showed on Windsor's local television channel called WInTV. There, in the video montage, you can see for yourselves how dedicated, passionate, and eager Team Paragon is, about what they do. Times on when it will air will surely be posted on the website under the "MULTIMEDIA" section, along with some other fantastic videos for your viewing pleasure.

But that's all for now! Until next time, I am your blog host, and I will continue to fill you in on all your Team Paragon information needs.

Remember to keep up-to-date on what's going on with us and the buildsite!

And bookmark our page!