Category: Outreach

Texas Torque to Lead Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been a well-known (and well-attended) tradition for the past 86 years. Every year, the parade amazes those who watch it with mind-boggling presentations and floats.

Texas Torque has been given the honor of leading the parade along with four other FIRST Robotics Competition teams from the United States, including:

  • Team 1538, The Holy Cows, from San Diego, California
  • Team 180, S.P.A.M., from Stuart, Florida
  • Team 16, The Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home, Arkansas, and
  • Team 25, Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick, New Jersey

As the winner of the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, Texas Torque will have the special honor of cutting the ribbon with the award-winning robot, “Sonic,”  to start the parade. All robots and teams will travel the length of the 2.5 mile parade.

Texas Torque’s 2013 robot, “Sonic,” is ready for the trip to New York City. #runningwithscissors

 

Texas Torque would like to thank Macy’s and the FIRST organization for this amazing opportunity and looks forward to the journey.

Follow the link to learn more:

http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/robots-come-first-at-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade

Success at the Houston Robot Remix

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With the help of the FIRST Lone Star Region, Texas Torque was able to hold the Houston Robot Remix for the second year in a row — with great success. Over 20 teams attended the Remix this year, including FRC 5052, a pre-rookie team in the Houston area. Texas Torque team members worked alongside FIRST officials and volunteers in the area to keep the event running smoothly.

The Texas Torque drive team competed well, earning a #2 rank at the end of the qualification rounds. In alliance selection, an excellent alliance composed of FRC 3847 (Spectrum) and FRC 3335 (Cy-Ranch Cyborgs). After the tough elimination matches with some of the best teams in Texas, Texas Torque’s alliance triumphed, winning the finals against the #1 alliance.

SONY DSC

Team members of the winning alliance posed with their robots at the Houston Robot Remix.

 

In addition to bringing plenty of action to the gymnasium, the event brought together the efforts of the attendees to make a difference in the community. Texas Torque gathered donations for the Angel Reach Foundation, asking all teams to bring money or bedding for the local charity. Revenue from t-shirt sales at the event went towards the Montgomery County Women’s Center.

Texas Torque would like to congratulate FRC 4587 (Jersey Voltage), FRC 624 (CRyptonite), and FRC 4295 (Pure Energy) for finishing as finalists, as well as our alliance partners for a magnificent performance in yesterday’s elimination rounds. In addition, FRC 2587 (DiscoBots) deserve recognition for providing a robot and guidance to the pre-rookie team, FRC 5052. Last but certainly not least, we would like to extend our gratitude to all of the teams, volunteers, the Lone Star Region, and AndyMark for all of their help in making this event a wonderful way to end the Ultimate Ascent season. Texas Torque cannot wait until next year to make the event even bigger and better.

 

FIRST Pitch at Minute Maid Park

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Baseball wasn’t the only event to take place at Minute Maid Park this Sunday; in addition to the Astros vs. Blue Jays game, there was also a taste of FIRST Robotics in and around the stadium. Texas Torque joined forces with plenty of teams from around Houston to demonstrate their hard work and to spread the importance of science and technology in their community. An event of this magnitude had never been attempted at Minute Maid Park, and Texas Torque was happy to be the first team to organize such an astounding and influential event.

Starting early in the morning, robots could be seen everywhere in the park. In Union Station, teams demonstrated their robots from Rebound Rumble, much to the entertainment of the crowds. Many school-aged children got the opportunity to ask questions about anything and everything, and our team members were happy to encourage them to join FIRST robotics teams in their schools. Just outside the gates, robots from Ultimate Ascent performed alongside our championship-winning machine, powering frisbees into a practice goal set up before the game. As game spectators walked along the park’s inner rim, all teams had robots on display, ranging from FRC robots from previous years to VEX and FIRST Lego League (FLL) robots. We were happy to answer any questions from the crowd and were proud to promote FIRST in our community.

Overall, the event was a huge success, and Texas Torque certainly appreciated the amount of support by the Astros’ administration and management. Due to this support, we hope to be able to repeat the event in the years to come (and perhaps get the chance to throw the “FIRST” pitch of the game).

The following teams were in attendance:

118, The Robonauts

624, CRyptonite

1477, Texas Torque

2936, The Gatorzillas

3103, Iron Plaid

3847, Spectrum

4587, Jersey Voltage

4589, AdamasBots

Texas Torque would like to thank these teams again for their time, support, and participation in this premiere event.

Texas Torque at WOW

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Texas Torque was delighted to spend July 8th and June 24th at the Wonders of The Woodlands Camp demonstrating our world champion robot, Sonic. Several students went over to The United Methodist Church to help get the word out about STEM and FIRST. Elementary and middle school students who were at the camp had the opportunity drive the robot and learn about electronics and engineering. We were also excited to get some information to students interested in FLL.

Link for those interested in WOW: http://www.wowsciencecamp.com/

 

Fourth of July Parade

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Texas Torque members took to the road this Independence Day to take part in the 17th annual South County Fourth of July Parade, held in The Woodlands, TX.

Torque students and mentors completed the 1.3 mile parade while talking to spectators about FIRST’s mission and the team’s accomplishments. There were quite a few questions about both the robot and FIRST as a whole, including a few inquiries about FIRST Lego League FIRST Tech Challenge. This year’s robot, Sonic, was also on display, shooting frisbees and maneuvering around while sporting patriotic colors, much to the thrill of the crowd.

The event as a whole was highly enjoyable for all who were present, and we hope that we will be able to participate again next year.

Texas Torque members Henning Skau (left) and Brian Wang (right) travel in the parade with Sonic in tow.

Texas Torque Featured on Local Fox Morning News

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Texas Torque made an appearance this week on Local Fox 26 News as part of a post-Champs celebration. The team was present for a 6 minute news spot in which the members were interviewed and the robot was demonstrated on video. As an added surprise, Lead Mentor Scott Rippetoe received a stylish red Mohawk (Pictures Below) as part of an agreement: the team made him promise to get a Mohawk if they made it to the Einstein field at Championships. So far, he has gotten a lot of compliments.
The full video is linked below:
Interview with Fox