Robo-Hoops 2008

Date:	Saturday, Dec 6, 2008
Time:	9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Place:	Penn State University - Abington Campus (near Philadelphia)
Description:	Robo-Hoops is an autonomous mobile robot design competition in which two robots battle head-to-head in a basketball challenge. Robots must dunk or shoot foam basketballs into a net located 12 inches above the playing field. The goal of the contest is to encourage creative problem-solving, teamwork, project-based learning, robot technology, and to promote interest in careers in science, engineering, technology, mathematics (STEM), computer science, artificial intelligence, and information technologies. The Robo-Hoops contest was designed at Penn State Abington and was successfully offered since 1995. Elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges in the Philadelphia, PA area and beyond will be participating. Over 40 robot teams and over 100 students participated in the 2007 Abington Robo-Hoops contest. Official Contest Rules
Photos of Previous Contests:
Video Clips of Previous Contests:	Clip 1 - Peddie School Clip 2 - Zack Walton Clip 3 - Two Robots Clip 4 - Two Robots Clip 5 - Two Robots Clip 6 - High Scoring Robot
Contest Results	The West Branch robot 'Scorpion' lost one match, and then won two matches before losing in the fourth round. Our young team was encouraged by the fact that our robot beat two other robots in head-to-head match ups. Everyone had a great time and learned a lot. We are already looking ahead to next year's contest. We are very grateful to the IEEE, Kephart's Hardware, and the West Branch School Board for supporting our participation in this event. We would also like to give special thanks to Mr. Hoffman, our faculty advisor, who continually works behind the scenes to coordinate all of our meetings, workshops, field trips, and other events. Finally, we would also like to thank Prof. Bob Avanzato of Penn State's Abington Campus who has been voluntarily coordinating and hosting this challenging and popular robotics contest since 1995.
Local Sponsors	IEEE The Central PA Section of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is covering the costs of the materials needed to build the test arena and other consumables needed for this project. Kephart Hardware The Kephart Hardware Company of Philipsburg, PA is providing custom-designed tee shirts featuring the team logo to all team members and advisors.
The West Branch Robotics Team	Software Engineers Matt Fry, Matt Adams Advisor: Thad Ritter Mechanical Engineers Wyatt Albert, Dustin Wheeland, Doug Kehrly Advisor: Bob Snyder   Technicians Bruce Kehrly, Melinda Kolesar, Taylor Thomas Advisor: Ann Kehrly   Publicists Melinda Kolesar, Taylor Thomas Advisor: Bob Snyder
Schedule	Workshop 1 Thursday Oct 30, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 2 Tuesday Nov 4, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 3 Thursday Nov 6, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 4 Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 5 Thursday Nov 13, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Postponed due to student/teacher conferences. Rescheduled for Dec 3. Workshop 6 Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 7 Thursday Nov 20, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 8 Tuesday Nov 25, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 8.5 Monday Dec 1, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 9 Tuesday Dec 3, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Completed Workshop 9.5 Wednesday Dec 3, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm Make-up date for Workshop 5. Workshop 10 Thursday Dec 4, 2008 6:30pm - 9:00pm   Contest Saturday Dec 6, 2008 5:00am - 11:00pm We will leave the school parking lot promptly at 5:00am. We will return to the school sometime between 10:00pm and 11:00pm.
Practice Arena	Purpose: The practice arena is needed to test our robots under conditions similar to those of the actual contest. Builders: Bruce Kehrly, Melinda Kolesar, Taylor Thomas Status: The materials have been purchased and most of the assembly has been completed. Photos:
Robot Entry 1	Name: Scorpion Builders: Matt Fry, Matt Adams, Wyatt Albert, Dustin Wheeland, Doug Kehrly Division: High School Status: The rough design of the hardware and software has been completed and construction is now underway. Photos:
Robot Entry 2	Name: Chickenator Builders: Matt Fry, Matt Adams, Wyatt Albert, Dustin Wheeland, Doug Kehrly Division: High School Status: This robot has not yet been designed. The only thing known for certain is that it will feature a rubber chicken. Photos:
Robot Entry 3	Name: The Doogle Dunker Builder: Wyatt Albert Division: High School Status: Just getting started. Photos:
Robot Entry 4	Name: WB Who? Builder: Thad Ritter Division: Senior (college and beyond) Status: This Robo-Hoops bot is controlled by 2 RCX’s, 5 motors, and 7 sensors. The alpha version of the hardware platform is almost complete. The bot moves about the floor, spins and turns very well. Arm and claw movement need a little work to get it moving smoothly. The programming is underway. Photos:

Project Update - Nov 7, 2008

Photos and text provided by Mindy Kolesar and Taylor Thomas.

	The software and Mechanical Engineers discuss the logistics for developing the robot's structure and software.
	Mr. Ritter, the Software Advisor, talks about what tasks the robot should be programmed to complete.
	Mr. Snyder, the Mechanical Advisor, advises that the software engineers should be as prepared as possible.
	As Mr. Snyder points out, the robot should be able to move easily, but still have all of the needed equipment on it.
	Technician Taylor Thomas applies glue to the frame so the technicians can apply the playing surface for the basketball arena they are building.
	Taylor and fellow technician, Mindy Kolesar, carefully align the playing surface to teh frame as Technical Advisor, Mrs. Kehrly, and Technician, Bruce Kehrly, keep the frame steady.
	Taylor is careful not to miss the nail, as she nails the playing surface to the frame for extra support.
	Mrs. Kehrly lends a helping hand as Taylor finishes nailing the final nail into the playing surface.
	Mindy takes a step back to admire all the work the technicians had accomplished so far.
	One of the structures needed for the basketball surfaces is getting prepared for painting. This particular structure will be painted white.
	Bruce feverishly stirs the paint, eager to get to painting, as Mrs. Kehrly watches, equally excited at all the technicians accomplished.
	All the technicians join in for the painting of the basketball arena's backboard.
	Mindy tediously paints the edge of teh backboard so as not to spill paint over the side.
	The finished backboard.
	The finished playing area. These two will get a second coat of white paint and black and red lines applied to them when they have dried.
	Bruce is diligently cleaning up. Careful not to splatter paint while closing the can.
	Mrs. Kehrly, Bruce and Taylor all wash their hands of all the paint that got on them while they were painting.
	After the Technicians have cleaned up, Bruce goes to start building his own robot.
	At this meeting, one of our members, Wyatt Albert, brought in one of his own personal robots.

Contest Photos - Dec 6, 2008

Photos and text provided by Mr. Snyder.

	Wyatt makes some last-minute changes to the Scorpion's hoop sensors.
	Matt, Taylor, and Matt make a flag for the robot while Mrs. Kehrly and Mr. Ritter enjoy the free pizza.
	Wyatt and Matt attach the flag to the Scorpion as Bruce reaches for some refreshment.
	The West Branch Robotics Team watches the qualifying rounds. Each robot was required to demonstrate its ability to find and pick up a ball, approach the hoop, and make a basket within 60 seconds.
	The contest was attended by approximately 120 students from numerous public, private, and home schools.
	The West Branch team waits for their turn to qualify.
	"Oh Mom! Do we really need these public displays of affection?"
	Team publicist Taylor says "Hey, look at me! Now I'm a Media person!".
	The entire West Branch Robotics Team watches as other robots show their stuff.
	"It's been a great day. Now let's get some grub!".
	Summer will be here before you know it. Think of the possbilities!

Contest Photos - Dec 6, 2008

Photos provided by Mindy Kolesar.

	Doug adjusts one of the hoop sensors on Scorpion.
	Mr. Ritter uses a remote control to test WB Who.
	Wyatt fastens some loose wiring on The Doogle Dunker.
	Mr. Snyder asks a question of Matt and Matt as they tweak teh Scorpion's software program.
	Another team's robot scores a point.
	Many clever robot designs were on display at the contest.
	Dustin, Matt, and Matt make final preparations for the contest.
	Matt and Matt work on the Scorpion while Wyatt adjusts The Doogle Dunker.
	This robot uses a small tank of compressed air to power a pneumatic cylinder.
	These students used VEX Robotics System components.
	Dustin, Matt, and Wyatt adjust the Scorpion's forks.

Contest Videos - Dec 6, 2008

Videos provided by Mr. Snyder.

Video Clip 1	Scorpion's first match (loss)
Video Clip 2	Scorpion's second match (win)
Video Clip 3	Scorpion's third match (win)
Video Clip 4	Scorpion's fourth match (loss)
Video Clip 5	Mr. Ritter's robot "WB Who?" competing in the Senior Division.
Video Clip 6	Wedge-shaped robot vs. a claw-style robot
Video Clip 7	Two claw-style robots.
Video Clip 8	A VEX-based robot using a beam with a cup.
Video Clip 9	Senior division robot "Scoop", by Paul Boxmeyer, makes 17 baskets!

Post-Contest Video - Feb 16, 2008

Video provided by Mr. Ritter.

Video Clip 10	WB Who demo video