Regional Robotics competition this week

The North Branch-Chisago Lakes FIRST Robotics Team robot has been "bagged and tagged" and cannot be worked on again until March 28 when the team arrives at Williams Arena for the 10,000 Lakes Regional.

Commenting on the build season, Team Leader Scott Frischmon said, “We set a very ambitious target date for the team to complete the robot, about one week earlier than any other year. Because they were able to meet this goal, our robot is in good shape and we are very excited for the competition on March 28, 29, 30." FIRST Team 3038 will be competing in the 10,000 Lakes Regional this weekend at Williams Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Playing the game "Ultimate Accent", the team has built a robot that shoots frisbees and can climb portions of the pyramid built on the field of play. "The competition is part athletic event, part NASCAR, and part rock concert. It's a crazy and fun environment that is family friendly," said Mentor Becky Leuer.

The event is free with competition on Friday, March 29 from 9:00am-4:00pm and on Saturday, March 30 starting at 9:00am with the finals at 1:30pm. Can't make it to the event? The competition can be watched at http://robotics. nasa.gov or go to www.usfirst.org and click on the link for 10,000 Lakes Regional. A sense of humor is always present at robotics. One last addition to the bottom of the robot before bagging: "if you can read this...flip me over."