Friday, March 19, 2010

FIRST Robotics :: FIRST 2102 Team Paradox

This is an index for all things FIRST and FIRST 2102 Team Paradox Robotics, from the archives of Chickenblog.

2008
Home School Science Fair: Alex's Tank-Bot: May 30, 2008. Alex challenged himself to make a robot from found objects and thrift shop salvaging. Then presented the results in a science fair.

2009
The Best Made Plans: January 3, 2009. Alex attends his first FRC kick-off. Lunacy.

The Team To Cheer For: February 15, 2009. Introducing FIRST and 2102 Team Paradox to Chickenblog.

I Don't Have Time For This: March 5, 2009. Alex gets in to SDA. Life and details at the end of his first build season.

Brains and Spirit: March 7, 2009. Reporting from San Diego FRC, after 2102 takes The Team Spirit Award.

Up-up And Away! March 8, 2009. Very early the next morning, after SD FRC, I fly to Barcelona as an advanced scout for our summer family adventure. I will return in time to drive to Phoenix for an other FRC.

Oh. My. Goodness.: March 22, 2009. Phoenix FRC and a second Team Spirit Award.

Navigation, Forward Momentum and Balance: March 25, 2009. Life and details after Phoenix, and Alex's ride on a Segway, courtesy of Steve Sanghi, president, chairman and CEO of Microchip Technology Inc.

2010
The Many Facets of Geekdom: January 10, 2010. Launch of build season for Breakaway. And getting Chickenblog organized for Geeks and Robotics.

After Breakfast, Before Robotics: February 12, 2010. Alex takes a quick break from robotics to attend the Sky Consortium Ball.

Look At Me Still Talking When There's Science To Do: February 16, 2010. Deep in build season, and enjoying the ride. Karen, Natalie and Tom grill lunch for the team. Life and details from the Bird House.

Me, Like A Chickadee: February 20, 2010. A good look at Geoff's programming and drive stations. He built them as programming mentor, so he could work more hours, more productively. Go Robotics!

It's In The Crate: February 23, 2010. Last night and morning of build season, before robot is crated and sent to San Diego Sports Arena.

BREAKAWAY! March 5, 2010. The eve before competition in San Diego.

Mini Parrot-Ox: March 6, 2010. From the first day of San Diego FRC, documenting Maria's team building skills.

More Than Spirit!!!!! March 6, 2010. Slowly realizing all of the merits of 2102 Team Paradox winning the Award for Engineering Inspiration.

This Is Big: March 7, 2010. Chickenblog celebrates 2102 Team Paradox and the invitation to compete in Atlanta.

This Is Getting Bigger: March 8, 2010. More about the Team, and FIRST, as Chickenblog rallies support for going to Nationals in Atlanta.

Paradox Colors: March 10, 2010. Describing FIRST Robotics, FRC and the personal journey 2102 Team Paradox takes to get to a regional competition. Maria and team mascots, a spirited relationship.

Robotics, 2102 Team Paradox: March 11, 2010. This is the internal index for most robotics posts in Chickenblog.

Faith, Family, and FIRST: March 12, 2010. What I love about 2102 Team Paradox and FIRST.

We Keep Springing Forward: March 24, 2010. A robotics introduction with Spencer and Cristina, before the NBC feature later in the week.

Big News Day: March 25, 2010. The Team, in pictures, the day of the NBC News in the Morning coverage.

Sadistics Statistics: March 30, 2010. A small pity party about declining readers of Chickenblog... who wouldn't want to read endless posts about robots?!

Family First: April 4, 2010. A love letter to my family, after FRC Las Vegas.

Something Beautiful: April 5, 2010. My favorite FRC Las Vegas moment, a positive spin on a difficult weekend.

Three Days in Vegas April 6, 2010. Gambling in Vegas Pays Off, on the Field.

Next Stop, Atlanta: April 14, 2010. Get everything packed and on the plane for FIRST Atlanta Championship.

FIRST in My Heart: April 20, 2010. An initial attempt to summarize the awesomeness of Atlanta FIRST Championship, and my renewed enthusiasm for FIRST.

Dear Atlanta, I think I Love You: April 21, 2010. Atlanta plays gracious host to FIRST and 2102 Team Paradox.

Top Ten Indicators You Need a Break From BREAKAWAY: April 23, 2010. Reflecting on some FIRST humor, and my own robo-obsession.

FIRST Night at Georgia Aquarium: April 26, 2010. In Atlanta, 2102 team Paradox's special night enjoying the world's largest aquarium... after hours.

Science Sunday :: Get Wired: May 3, 2010. Our first, hopefully not last, Science Sunday. A relaxing day with science, family, friends, food, and fun. Alex has a chance to use his Paradox skills for community outreach. Maria and Emma love it!

Permission to Play :: Maker Faire: May 24, 2010. Our first Maker Faire, and an outreach meet-up with 1868 Space Cookies! We are Inspired Engineers!

They're Back: June 3, 2010. Mark Leon of NASA's Robotics Alliance Project, comes to Team Paradox's school and tells some good stories.

The Stimpkin: October 27, 2010. Honoring a great teacher and a FIRST 2102 Team Paradox robotics supporter.

Newsy Stuff: November 11, 2010. Alex's first mention of having FIRST 2102 Team Paradox over to the Bird House to build a float for the Holiday Parade.

Geek Festival at the Bird House: November 22, 2010. Robot Holiday Parade float design and construction gets rolling.

Robot Parade: December 5, 2010. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox in its first Holiday Parade. Go robotics! Go Lavender!

The Lavender Story: How To Get Into a Parade: December 12, 2010. Team spirit and hard work get FIRST 2102 Team Paradox in the Holiday Parade. This is the true story of team building, hot meals, late nights, long weekends, and the dedication that built Lavender the robotic arm.

2011
FIRST 2102 Team Paradox Special Delivery to The Bird House: January 5, 2011. The new year starts off with team spirit and a secret drop-off from Marketing. We wear our colors proudly.

Soup FIRST: January 7, 2011. On the eve of Kick-Off, Isaac comes to the Bird House to share his vegetable ramen skills. Formerly FIRST 2102 Team Paradox president, now mentor and generous chef! Always Paradox!

Kick-Off 2011! January 8, 2011. Time for LOGOMOTION, and a new build season for FIRST 2102 Team Paradox. Lady Betty Orpington declares her support and love for her favorite robotics team!

Maria's FIRST Album: January 10, 2011. Maria is dedicated to her team, FIRST 2102 Team Paradox, and she finds lots of ways to show her dedication, interest, and team love.

Lavender's Debut at School Assembly: January 15, 2011. Hectic days at the Bird House, and making time to tune-up and transport Lavender to SDA for the assembly.

Progress of the mini-bot for FIRST LOGOMOTION: February 2, 2011. How to pass the time on Groundhog Day? How about milling miniature gear couplers!

I ♥ The Mini-Bot! February 11, 2011. Team mini-bot goes into testing, and finds it has built a bot that can climb the ten foot pole in under two seconds! FIRST 2102 Team Paradox excels on all fronts!

First Recruiters February 16, 2011. Our personal, family, contributions and participation in FIRST.

Knock-Knock!! February 18, 2011. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox reaching the finish line of the six week build season... build and marketing in full swing! It takes a good team, and humor to see it all the way through.

Quiet For Now February 19, 2011. Bringing robotics home, to the dining table actually!

Team Paradox Nerf Battle-Lego Pit-Movie Night! February 26, 2011. Celebrating the successful completion of six weeks of build for LOGOMOTION, FIRST 2102 Team Paradox watches the *Paradox* movie!

You Are About to Enter a Robot Zone! March 3, 2011. A FIRST 2102 Team Paradox handbook for attending Regional Competition.

Local Kook Makes a Splash For FIRST Robotics! March 6, 2011. Operation Kooky-Club... seems we have some clever robo kids in our midst! and they were up like Midnight Mechanics outfitting the Cardiff Kook!

Mini-Parrot Ox Around Town March 7, 2011. We visit the Kook with Maria, then make peace offers with local peace officers, and at the neighborhood fire houses.

Civil Disobedience. March 9, 2011. The story behind Paradoxing the Cardiff Kook. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox is a colorful and active community partner, promoting school spirit, Team San Diego spirit, and FIRST spirit!

With Heavy Hearts March 11, 2011. Personal reflections on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and renewing my faith and dedication to FIRST, and FIRST 2102 Team Paradox.

Chickens-Robots-Chickens-Robots March 14, 2011. A doubly happy day as we go to FRC San Diego, Zelda and Puff's eggs hatch, and we get Kamen and the Mini-Bots. As for the event... fastest mini-bot, a working main-bot, and selected in alliance with FIRST 1717 D'Penguineers... a happy, happy, happy day. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox earns their second Award for Engineering Inspiration!

There Is Good In The World March 18, 2011. The Team photo, and an appeal for contributions: the team is invited back to Championships, this time in St Louis!

Chicks: One Week Old March 19, 2011. I admit, this is hardly about robotics, but we did name the new chicks after FIRST themes, and it's hard not to think of FIRST 2102 Team Paradox without remembering that Kamen and the Mini-Bots hatched the same day the team had another successful FRC!

We Are Ever Lovin' Geeks March 21, 2011. Geek love. For Paradox, for "The New Cool," for the love and passion for science, technology, engineering, art, math, and music.

Infinite Gratitude March 26, 2011. Words of thanks for the outpouring of donations, encouragement, and praise for FIRST 2102 Team Paradox.

I Still Sew March 26, 2011. How the new Paradox mascot came together. Also, the new and improved team website launches.

A Little Bit of Stress March 27, 2011. At the Bird House, weathering the challenges of bringing mini-bot build into the home. Hours and tools are more readily available here, so we do what works to get the job done.

Oh, The Places You'll Go March 30, 2011. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox continues to draw support, from all over the country, and the world. This is the night, before Las Vegas, went Alex and Tatiana went into 24 hours of build for C.L.U.

What Happened In Vegas April 3, 2011. FRC Las Vegas and the Chrysler Award for Team Spirit! Plus a beautiful example of Gracious Professionalism and Engineering Inspiration, when FIRST 2102 Team Paradox shares their mini-bot, Rinzler, in the quarter-finals.

Robots in Las Vegas April 6, 2011. It is about the robots.

FIRST Championships April 7, 2011. Morgan Freeman says it all in the FIRST promo video for St Louis.

Cool All Along April 9, 2011. Some thoughts on Neal Bascomb's book, "The New Cool," and my contention that geeks are cool, and always have been.

FIRST Celebrities May 2, 2011. Maria rubs elbow with the cool celebrities at FIRST Championships in St Louis.

Kamen, the Hen May 11, 2011. Almost irrelevant, except that one the biggest supporters and fans of FIRST 2102 Team Paradox happens to be a chicken named Lady Betty Orpington.

SD Fair and Team San Diego June 12, 2011. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox joins fellow San Diego area FIRST teams at the Fair, for the Student Showcase. Terrence brings home a third place ribbon, and C.L.U. races to the top as fastest mini-bot at the Fair.

2012
FIRST Family January 7, 2012. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox and the official start to the new year of FIRST :: Rebound Rumble! Kick-Off!

Matt and Asa, this one was for you! February 8, 2012. Checking robot progress in the metal shop, as the team works to build a new robot for competition.

Pumping up the team spirit for FIRST Regional and Team Paradox March 3, 2012.

FIRST Regional San Diego March 5, 2012. Maria and Mark Leon are ready to Rumble!

Sharing Team San Diego Pride for The Midnight Mechanics, and Linda Lam April 20, 2012.

Looking back at San Diego FRC May 3, 2012, and ahead to Championships, when the team wins its first Regional, in Madera California. The 2,102 post for Chickenblog.


Graduation day for 2012, and 2102, June 15. A special class of robotics team members, moving forward!

2 comments:

Dallas said...

One of the other blogs I read (on the other side of the country) just announced that her daughter will be going to Nationals for Robotics too - http://sewamy.blogspot.com/2010/03/they-won.html

Congrats again!

Natalie said...

Thank you Dallas... we exchanged comments on each other's blogs. It's hard to contain our excitement.