Activities
The warmth of the workshop smacks Pip's face as he dances through Door 13, making sure his flirtatious long hair isn't caught in the door's closing. His nostrils fill with the fragrance of sawdust, freshly cut metal, and stale Tasty Cakes. His tongue tingles with the taste of aluminum in the air. He has come home!
This workshop is truly Pip's home for the six weeks of the FIRST Robotics build season. The hacksaw is his toothbrush. The grease: his lotion. The hex and pliers: his fork and knife. Pip has become a cyborg through his time with Team 2191: a non-lethal Robo-Cop with the same strength of will. But he is not alone.
As Pip weaves through the groups of students, he notes the fervor in their proceedings. Jared and Stephen measure the precise force needed to kick a ball a certain distance, while debating the outcome of a zombie apocalypse. Matt and Chris screw motors onto the chassis. In the corner, Carlos selects the pair of safety glasses that best matches his shirt. Ahmet floats between each group, inspiring uplifting spirits and injecting a word here and there. All the while, Sergeant Sunny marches through the workshop, disembowling all who fail to follow the proper safety procedures.
Every individual brings his or her own personality, skills, and perspective to the team. Pip, Jared, Stephen, Chris, and other students who are interested in mechanics work on the actual building of the robot. More skilled with the artistic and business needs of the team, Hannah and Melanie toil with writing and fundraising. The personal interests and pursuits of each team member are invaluable to the team, making it diverse and successful. In accomplishing the goals of each small group, every student contributes to the overall goal of the team in a safe, ecofriendly manner.*
Here is where our activities are born. Our community involvement reflects activities that are performed not for money but for the betterment of the team's morale. Meanwhile, our fundraisers revolve around two main areas: Community and Green Initiatives. Feel free to use any of our fundraising ideas for your own team. If you have any questions, contact us through the "Contact Us" link on the navigation menu.
(*Text taken from the 2010 Chairman's Award submission.)
