Friday, February 18, 2011

Knock-Knock!!


Who's there?

SDA's FIRST 2102 Team Paradox Robotics Club!

What's up?


Four days left before the Team ships a robot!
Three weeks until the first FIRST Regional Competition!


What does this mean?


This means all hands in the metal shop, all hands sewing ParrotBoxes! It means there is still test driving to do, and parts to build, it means the scrapbook is being put together, and tiny little ox ears are being stuffed and sewn to cute bags. It means more T-shirts to silkscreen! More meals to serve! More lathing, cutting, wiring, programming, smiling, laughing! More robotics!

What is a Paradox?



1. a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true


2. A pivotal musical number in "The Pirates of Penzance," which by special request will be the next Movie Night Feature at the Bird House!

3. A Paradox is FIRST 2102 Team Paradox's peculiar and beloved mascot... it is a Parrot and an Ox... which is seemingly contradictory, yet awesome.


Awesome?


Definitely. Awesome.
And these alliance gifts are just one example of the awesomeness of this student led, parent fed, mentor inspired, teacher supported robotics club.

Alliance gifts are tokens of 2102 Team Paradox's Gracious Professionalism and team spirit. They are gifts for the teams we will meet at the Regional Competitions. Each little Parabox will contain more student made goodies, like buttons, and hair bows!



Marketing has been designing, cutting, gluing, sewing, stuffing, braiding, silk~screening, and having fun for weeks! And since the team needs at least a hundred Paraboxes, every mini-Paradox is welcome to participate. Maria stuffed a whole bag of ox horns.


Michael and Maria made huge progress, working together.


Under Linda's watchful eye, Maria stuffed dozens and dozens of little horns. Maria was very happy about helping her favorite FIRST team.


Little helpers and generous volunteers make this team even greater.

What about mentors?


Mentors are volunteers, who come to the team with experience in engineering, marketing, business, manufacturing, and they have a passion for learning and sharing. FIRST 2102 Team Paradox loves its mentors.

Sewing, hot glue, volunteers... what else?


What else?
How about a metal shop, and students that design, manufacture, and assemble their own robotics parts? And what do you call a team that welds parts for another team? I would call FIRST 2102 Team Paradox Gracious and Professional, with a friendly, generous approach to Coopertition.


Sounds like a lot of work...

It is a lot of work. It is also a lot of fun. Testing your skills, learning, sharing, overcoming obstacles... these opportunities come from hard work, and the rewards are tremendous.


Have you ever noticed that the most gratifying experiences are a result of pushing yourself, facing challenges, and embracing the hard work with the pleasures? Robotics, the club, and FIRST 2102 Team Paradox are about passionate students who believe in themselves and their rightful place in the fields of math, science, art, engineering, business, marketing, programming, and design. They are students happy to work together for the sake of learning new skills and meeting their goals... to have their chance to participate on the playing field.


This is the FIRST build season, when the team pushes forward to design, manufacture, build, and test a robot, or two! This is when the team is writing essays, filing applications, organizing carpools, finding accommodations, and planning meals. Build season is when T-shirts, buttons, alliance gifts, and sponsor gratitude is taken care of, by the students. This is a really busy time for FIRST 2102 Team Paradox. A gratifying, busy, amazing time.


And who's there?
Students are there.
Teachers are there.
Siblings, friends, grandparents, alumni are there.
Mentors are there.
Parents are there.



Believers are there. Not just dreamers, but the people who are willing to work and sacrifice, people who know the value of learning and love it!


FIRST 2102 Team Paradox is an enthused, talented, curious, creative, bright, engaged team, and I love being in their company. They inspire me, and replenish my energy. They make me want to shout and cheer, and shake people up!

Like their physic's teacher says, "So you think America is going to hell in a handbasket.
You believe the kids are not all right.
Stop watching the news and become part of it!
See what students were doing while you were sleeping!
Come see the robots at the San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional."

10 comments:

test said...

This is amazing, I don’t know what else to say!?!?!?

dewatobay said...

Wow - go Team Paradox! All of you !

judy in ky said...

America will be just fine with kids, parents, teachers, mentors and volunteers like these. I am so impressed with all of them.

ArtyZen said...

Mind-blowing stuff going on - and so much fun! (Wish I could come to your Movie Night - I LOVE 'Pirates'!

Marla said...

I don't like this--I LOVE this. Thanks, Natalie!

Golden West said...

Yes, the wind was really gusting last night! I love a good storm!

You've been busy, as usual, I see. The robotics team looks absorbed with a wonderful project - good for them!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Hey Michael... Amazing is the word! You said it all.

Maria... thank you! You've got team spirit!

Judy... you have been a long time supporter, and I will always appreciate that. You've got team spirit!

Annie... yay! A *Pirates* fan... such a great movie. You should hear Alex and Max sing the Major General's song! If you ever come west, we will have a special screening in your honor!

Golden West... crazy wind. I hear the chickens, but I am a little reluctant to see the damages out there! The team has a big weekend ahead of them (us)... thanks for dropping in and seeing their wonderful project.

Jennifer said...

As always, your excitement and enthusiasm are catching! Go Team!!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Marla... it touches me very deeply that you like, I mean LOVE this post. You are in the middle of the action, you know what it's all about, and so your opinion matters to me. Thank you for visiting Chickenblog.

Jennifer... You've got team spirit! Thank you for being my kindred spirit, my dear Massachusetts friend, my Blogosphere Sister.