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The 2019 FIRST Robotics season kicked off Saturday, January 5, with the game reveal.  Destination: Deep Space is the game and teams will need to load carriers and rockets with cargo (orange vinyl balls) and place hatch covers to secure the cargo.  To start the game, teams will be blinded by a sandstorm and have to drive their robots using only their cameras.  Team 3038, a cooperative team between North Branch and Chisago Lakes, now has 6 1/2 weeks to build their robot to play the game  The team will be competing in the 10,000 Lakes Regional at the University of Minnesota in March.  To view the game animation, go to YouTube and search for Destination Deep Space.

Team 3038 is the largest team in 10 years of this program, with 34 team members and many volunteer adult mentors.  Lead Mentor is Jenel Korkowski and the four team captains are Dru Ellering and Donny Kapaun from Chisago Lakes and Kayla Lenzmeier and Nathan Korkowski from North Branch.  Last year Team 3038 qualified for and participated in the World Championships in Detroit after their runner up finish in the 64 team regional competition.  

Team sponsors are Wilson Tool, Abbott, and Productivity Quality Incorporated.  Local sponsors include Hi-Lo Manufacturing from Stacy, Plastic Products Company in Lindstrom, Neighborhood National Bank in North Branch, VFW Post 6424 North Branch, Lakes Region EMS.  Team 3038 has now reached 85 percent of their goals for the 2019 season.  Contact the Activities Office at either school if you would like to donate to the team.  

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