RAGE Robotics

What is RAGE?

RAGE (Robotics And Gadget Engineering) is a FIRST robotics team made up of students from East Hartford, Manchester, Rockville, and Tolland High Schools; CIBA students; engineering mentors; teachers; and parents. Each year, the team designs and builds a robot that is used in FRC competitions throughout the year.

What is FIRST?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a not-for-profit organization devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology, and math. Founded nearly 20 years ago by inventor Dean Kamen, the 2008-2009 FIRST season attracted over 196,000 students and over 85,000 mentors, coaches, and volunteers from 51 countries. The annual programs culminate in an international robotics competition and celebration where teams win recognition, gain self confidence, develop people and life skills, make new friends, and perhaps discover an unforeseen career path.

What is FRC?

The FIRST Robotics Competition is the FIRST-sponsored program for high school students that uses large robots for competitions. FIRST also sponsors FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) for high school students that uses small robots in competitions, FLL (FIRST Lego League) for middle school students that uses Lego Mindstorms for the robot building blocks, and JFLL (Junior FIRST Lego League) for elementary school students.

What’s up with the number 173 I sometimes see in the team name?

When teams are first created, they are assigned a number by FIRST for ease in referencing and tracking them. The team then comes up with a name for themselves. The RAGE team number is 173.

How big is the team?

It varies year to year, but there are usually 25–30 students, 4–5 engineering mentors, 4–5 non-engineering mentors, and parents.

Where does RAGE meet?

We generally meet in the media center (library) at East Hartford High School, located at 869 Forbes St. We also have access to several classrooms, a computer lab, and a woodshop where we can do our fabrication and building. When you arrive at the high school, enter through the main front door and the guard will direct you where to go.

How often does RAGE meet?

During the off season (September through December and April through June) we generally meet every other week, always on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The competition season starts the first week of January with the release of the new challenge rules. For the next six weeks while we design and build the robot, we try to meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. After the robot is built, there are several regional competitions over the next six weeks in which we participate, so we meet as needed.

How much does it cost to join?

Nothing! We solicit corporate sponsorships to cover most of the team’s expenses. Students and parents are responsible for covering the cost of their own travel, lodging, and food at competitions. However, we also run numerous fundraisers during the year which give students the opportunity to earn money toward their travel expenses.

When and where are the competitions?

Most are local, but we always travel to a few each year. During the off season, we have gone to Battlecry in Worcester, MA (spring); Bear Brawl in West Springfield, MA (fall); and Bash at the Beach in Old Lyme, CT (fall). During the competition season, we attend a scrimmage in Suffield, a regional in Hartford, and another regional slightly farther away (such as Boston, Rochester, or New York City). When funds allow, we also travel to St. Louis for the world championship in April.

But I don’t know anything about building a robot!

That’s good. You’re here to learn. The mentors and other adults want you to first and foremost have fun while discovering what science and engineering are all about. Whether you’re interested in mechanical design, electronics, programming, machining, or even carpentry, you’ll fit right in.

I’m not interested in the technical side of things, but it still sounds like fun.

That’s fine, too. We have non-technical activities in which you may become involved such as spirit, publicity, competitive scouting, fundraising, and accounting. We try to have a place for everybody.