Saturday, March 2, 2024

State Robotics Competition


We've had a crazy blizzard blowing through Reno that started on Thursday night, so by Friday night it was snowing. The State robotics competition was supposed to be at McQueen High School, but because of snow days, a new venue had to be found. Someone in the organization was able to get a ballroom at the Circus Circus Casino in Reno. It was great to have the competition there - there was a lot of room for the fields and the pits and a food court upstairs. 


Carson volunteered as a referee


Tucker volunteered today - he and William reset the fields after matches


Savannah was at the team station in the pits


the robot






(team with the blue hoodies is Perpetual Motion, they're from Soda Springs, CA and also very good friends with the Silver Circuits)

The robot had some trouble in the fields because of some outlets underneath the mats, but they solved that problem by shaving down part of the underside of the robot and applying some wax (from someone's braces!) to help the robot get over those bumps. They improved with each match until they made it to the finals and after 2 alliance team captains were chosen as alliances for other teams, unexpectedly became an alliance team captain! They chose the Gigabytes to be part of their alliance. 


the team with the blue shirts is Gigabytes (from South Lake 
Tahoe and good friends to the Silver Circuits) 
The guy with the plaid pants kneeling is from Master Craftsman.


In one match with Master Craftsman (team from Mammoth, CA and also 
very good friends with the Silver Circuits), their score was close - 
150 to 155 with the Silver Circuits having 155. 
Master Craftsman went on to be the winning alliance captain, so they will go to worlds. 



some dancing while waiting for the awards to start


dancing to 'YMCA'




little dance party at the front of the audience


everyone doing the 'cupid shuffle'


more dancing! They were dancing to 'Never Gonna Give You Up'


Carson with some of the Perpetual Motion team


 score from one of the last finals matches


the computer head mascot was there again this year. 


Two teams from each state get to go to the world championship in Houston: one spot going to the winning alliance captain and the other going to the winner of the Inspire Award. The awards were announced and as it got closer to the end, the Silver Circuits did not receive any and the anticipation was growing - everyone was wondering 'are they gonna get it?' Then the finalist for the Inspire award was announced and it wasn't the Silver Circuits and it felt even more anticipatory.......and then they were announced the winners of the Inspire award! After all their hard work and outreach, they are going to Worlds!





Sunday, February 25, 2024

Anti-gravity room

 We all went to the Grand Sierra Resort yesterday and they had this cool room 

where you could bounce and float around. 









Haha, just kidding - this was a sideways room at Sensology in the GSR. So you're actually looking at all these pictures sideways!

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Regional Robotics Competition at Galena Highschool





The Virginia City Silver Circuits had a good day at the regional competition today 
at Galena Highschool. 


They did well in the qualifying matches and finished in 4th place. They were chosen as an
alliance partner by the 1st place team, and they went on to win!



The Silver Circuits won the Promote Award, the Inspire Award and the 
Alliance 1st Pick Award. 


The Silver Circuits posing with the one Master Craftsman team member, their alliance partner.


The team members giving high fives as they accept their award.





Carson was a runner up for the Compass Award. 


Carson has put in a lot of time volunteering at matches with
 set up, clean up, being a referee, 
and a mentor to not only the Silver Circuits, 
but also the Perpetual Motion robotics team. 






Savannah with her medal.







Now they will prepare for the state competition, which will be here in Reno, 
at McQueen Highschool. 

 Inspire Award: This team shares their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community, and the judges. Working as a unit, this team will have shown success in performing the task of designing and building a robot.
Promote Award: The Promote Award is given to the team that is most successful in creating a compelling video message for the public designed to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math.
Compass Award: The Compass Award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who has given outstanding guidance and support to a team throughout the year and demonstrates to the team what it means to be a Gracious Professional.