Back History
Welcome to Bots on the Rock

[imageright|Indy 5.00 Teams|{UP}teams-all.png|Indy 5.00 Teams]{toc}

==Welcome to Bots on the Rock!==
We're now on twitter - check out [http://twitter.com/botsontherock|our Twitter account] for club info and robotics news and tips.

====Fall 2009 BOTR Hiatus====
There are two local FLL teams gearing up for the fall FLL season, and there are some local LEGO Robotics classes going on to help out newcommers to robotics.  For this fall season when teams are meeting 2-3 times weekly we've decided to take a break from the club for September-December of 2009.  After Christmas, in the new year, we want to get together and see who is interested in perhaps a January "bootcamp" again, and a spring/summer season.  Let us know if you are interested and want to keep in touch as we move forward.

LEGOs in Paradise Coach Dan Hartley presented a lot of good information and testimony about starting an FLL team.  There is a lot of good information [http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/default.aspx?id=970|online about FLL] and even a [http://www.amazon.com/FIRST-LEGO-League-Unofficial-Guide/dp/1593271859/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250685877&sr=8-1|new book on FLL Teams] available for any teams that are thinking of getting started for the fall - not much time to decide.

====Summer Sumo====
Our Sumo Summer Challenge is over with quite an exciting finish.

Congratulations to the "Sumo Dozer" team on their decisive 1st place win.  Also to "Ashrenhar" for 2nd place with "Deathtrap" and "MKD" rounding out the Final Four.

====Robotics Boot Camp====
On January 31st we had our first robotics "boot camp" to help those who are newer to NXT learn the basics.  This was very well received and we plan to do it each year in January (for those who just happen to get a new NXT for Christmas and want to get started quickly).  As January 2010 approaches, let us know if you may be interested in a Bootcamp next year.

If you are not already a member but would like to join, please contact us! [http://BOTR@legosinparadise.org|e-mail for Coach Hartley]

We've set this site up as a [Whats a Wiki|wiki] so feel free to join in.

There has been a good deal of interest in what we are planning to do, so we've created a list of [Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions.]

Bots on the Rock meets at Bella Vista Church, 5100 Belding rd., Rockford, MI in room 6.

====What is a Robotics Club?====
Do you want to meet together with a bunch of other kids and parents who are interested in playing, creating and competing with robots that you can build and program yourself?

Do you have creative ideas for designing and building devices that move and do wonderful things?

Are you interested in what "makes things work" and like investigating science experiments and solving puzzles?

If any of this sounds like you, then you might just be interested in checking out the club?

====`Bots on the Rock Values====
*We have fun!
*We honor the spirit of friendly competition and good sportsmanship.
*What we discover is more important than winning.
*We are here to learn and share our knowledge with others.
*We respect others and their work.
*We behave with courtesy and compassion for others at all times.

[Frequently Asked Questions|What else do I need to know?]
Navigation

Links

Welcome to Bots on the Rock
