FRC 4607, C.I.S., Becker’s robotics team, is working on redesigning their robot and getting the team prepared for the World Championship after qualifying to compete two weeks ago in the Northern Lights Regional in Duluth. It’s their fourth straight year qualifying.
The team has had an incredible year, completing the Grand Slam of Chairman’s Awards in the state by winning all four of the Regional Chairman’s Awards at all four different regionals in Minnesota.
“They’ve really been a great team,” said Coach Alex Jurek. “I’ve watched many of them grow from seventh to 10th graders.”
The team is currently ranked #1 in the state among 222 robotics teams for the second straight season. In the Chairman’s Power ranking they’re ranked #7 out of nearly 4,000 teams worldwide. Four of the top 15 teams actually come from Minnesota.
Becker will next compete at 10,000 Lakes Regional in Minneapolis next week. Following that match, they’ll head to Detroit at the end of April to compete with their robot and on the Chairman’s side at the World Championship. They’ll be competing against teams from all over the world.
“Right now, we’re trying to redesign the robot to be faster at cycling (picking up and placing one game piece) and climbing level three hab (16” platform),” said Ben Fischbach, who is the team’s strategy leader, drive coach and one of their chairman’s presenters.
Team members can only work on their robot during competition, as after “bag night,” (the end of the build season) which was Feb. 19, it can’t be “unbagged” except during competitions and for media photo ops. Thursday is practice day for the 10,000 Lakes Regional competition, so the team will use the opportunity to make their final design changes.
“We’re also getting the team mentally prepared and ready for the experience,” said Victoria Gibson, who is on the build team and is one of their chairman’s presenters. “A lot of them are new this year and haven’t gone to Worlds before.”
She added that they’re also working on expanding the team’s social media presence and photography by training more people in the responsibilities. FRC 4607 C.I.S. is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and maintains a website and weekly newsletter.
Becker’s robotics team is ready to put forward their best robot to date. They’ve named this year’s robot “Actuate,” a play on how the human player and operator communicate.
“One of our strengths is our drive team and pit team working together during competition,” said Fischbach. “They’re a cohesive unit.”
Last season the team was ranked first in the state for most of the season with one of the world’s best switch-bots. They ended the season as World Champ Finalists in Duluth.
“For me to watch the team grow over the last four years has been phenomenal,” said Jurek.
Competition is just part of what’s important to FRC 4607, C.I.S. Their greatest impact to date has been in their mentoring of other teams and the creation of the Central Minnesota Robotics Hub, a conglomeration of 21 local teams throughout the area.
They also volunteer with after school activities in the district, have worked with the Minnesota United to bring Robotics Day at the United last July, and are now partnering with the Minnesota Twins to bring STEM Day to the masses on May 15.
Two weeks ago, they were at the State Capitol advocating for more STEM initiatives alongside nine other FRC teams. There they were able to meet with Senator Andrew Matthews to formulate a plan to push forward his more recent bill to bring $20 million to the Becker Industrial Complex as well as advocate for Edina’s Senator Frandsen’s bills to make STEM accessible to more students.
“On our trip to the capitol we were able to speak with our state senators and representatives and have an educated conversation about STEM and robotics, both of which I’m very passionate about,” said Jordan Gruenes, senior business lead for the Becker team.
“I’m extremely grateful to be a part of this robotics team because I never would have had an opportunity like this without it.”
