2021 Build Season Newsletter Issue #2

Our Team This week, the subteams have worked on teaching new members certain skills while delegating other tasks to experienced members. As the team gets closer to competition season, subteams have been collaborating with each other to increase productivity. While significant progress has been made, there is still more to do, and we are looking forward to next week to accomplish more.  Mechanical The Mechanical Subteam is still in the process of certifying every member Read more

2020 Cougar Class #4: Networking and Internships

TEAM 1403 COUGAR ROBOTICSPROJECT/ACTIVITY: Networking and Internships Date: 12/2/2020Where: Virtual Meeting via Zoom Presentation: This cougar class focused on networking and internships. Team mentors, Rachel and Mike, presented a slideshow where they discussed how to present yourself to others, whether it is a job opportunity, interview, or any other situation where you are asked to introduce yourself. Mike touched on his experience of receiving a FIRST scholarship and how that came to be. They also Read more

2020 Cougar Class #3: Components of STEM

TEAM 1403 COUGAR ROBOTICSPROJECT/ACTIVITY: Introduction to Robotics Date: 12/21/2020Where: Virtual Meeting via Zoom Number of Participants: 76 Impact on Team: After the more serious topic discussed last week, Team 1403 mentor Mike decided to give a lighthearted presentation on pizza. After giving brief insight into how pizza is made and the different varieties of it, he showed how even the production of pizza involves STEM. He started off by discussing how ingredients in the dough, Read more

2020 Cougar Class #2: Mental Illness Awareness

TEAM 1403 COUGAR ROBOTICSPROJECT/ACTIVITY: Introduction to Robotics Date: 11/11/2020Where: Virtual Meeting via Zoom Impact on Team: This cougar class focused on a serious issue that has been heavily impacted by the pandemic. The primary emphasis for the class was to inform the members about different mental illnesses and to explain methods to improve mental health in the face of COVID-19. The Montgomery High School psychologist, Viveka Mandhyan, joined the cougar class to give the team Read more

2020 Cougar Class #1: Introduction to Robotics

TEAM 1403 COUGAR ROBOTICSPROJECT/ACTIVITY: Introduction to Robotics Date: 10/21/2020Where: Virtual Meeting via Zoom Number of Students: 85 Number of Mentors: 8 Impact on Team: The Cougar Class began with an informative discussion led by Mike about what FRC is and how Team 1403 is run. He discussed the morals and ethics of the team along with the technical aspects. Additionally, Mike provided a brief history of the team, which gave the new members a better Read more

COVID-19 Cancels MHS Cougar Robotics’ Season

On March 12th, 2020, we received the news that the 2020 FRC Season was being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this may seem like an extreme step, the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and a lack of a set cure means that it is extremely dangerous for anyone in or around an exposed region. To combat this, the CDC has put out some guidelines to lower the chances of you and your community being exposed Read more

2020 Build Season Week 6 Newsletter

Our TeamIt is the final week of build season, and each of the subteams have been working vigorously and tirelessly to make sure that everything is well-prepared for the upcoming competition season. From making finishing touches on the robot to putting the Chairman’s video together, both the robot and logistics side of the team have a lot in their hands to make sure that their competition performance is the best it can be. Everybody has Read more

2020 Build Season Week 5 Newsletter

Our TeamThis week has been very demanding for Team 1403. The subteams have started working together more often to prepare for the competition season. As the team continued to work throughout the week, they faced many challenges that they had to quickly overcome. Since the competition season is getting nearer, efficient teamwork is necessary to ensure success. MechanicalThe Mechanical subteam wrapped up their work on the upright, which carries the ball from the robot’s hopper Read more

2020 Build Season Week 4 Newsletter

Our Team It has been a very productive week for Team 1403! The robot side of the team officially finished the prototyping for the robot and is now developing the final robot that we will be using in competitions. Meanwhile, the logistics side has also been making strides in development with essays, videos, and events being organized and completed at a smooth pace. As competition season draws closer, the anticipation over the robot’s performance continues Read more

2020 Build Season Week 3 Newsletter

Our TeamThis week, Team 1403 has made significant progress. With prototyping coming to an end and tremendous progress being made towards building the robot, the week has been running very smoothly. The logistics side of the team has also made great progress within each of their respective jobs. Members are excitedly waiting to see how the robot will turn out. MechanicalLast week, Mechanical started to work on the field elements so that we can create Read more