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ieMichigan Flowers! State The Championship! PressApril 14, 2018

Photos By JENNA DICKENS (Top Left) U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Corey Gardner at a sponsor booth. (Right/Bottom Left) Students play games in sponsored activity areas. Taking a break from the bots By KARLY GRAHAM Sponsors helped set up the area, which ergy, Consumers Energy and the U.S. Air encouraged students to interact with rep- Force -- also set up booths with informa- In the chaos of competition, there are resentatives from the various sponsoring tional materials to distribute. few places team members can relax and companies. The booths allow students to see what recharge during the day, but there is an “When you’re relaxing, you have more careers are available in specific fields. area designated for just that in what could time to talk. If you’re out in other areas, “It’s a good way for kids to look into be the most chaotic place of all: the pits. people are working [and] they don’t want the future and see things as more than In the pits at the FIRST Robotics Michi- to do anything else; they just want to get they are now. Seeing technology is the gan State Championship, sponsors created their job done,” U.S. Air Force Lieutenant future, it’s a no brainer, getting kids into special areas so students, mentors and Colonel Corey Edmunds said. into technology now is the best thing for visitors could escape the quick-paced “This area, where we can communicate them,” Kingston Robo-Cards (Team 4994) nature of competition. and have a conversation -- there’s differ- junior Brian Hobson said. Featuring larger-than-life games in- ent things somebody would tell about the The relaxation areas are both great cluding Jumbo Jenga and Connect 4, the different opportunities.” ways for students to decompress and for area is also stocked with charging stations Some sponsors -- including DOW sponsors to advertise their companies. for phones, bean bag chairs, and arcade Chemical, Ford Motor Company, DTE En- games.

Having Come to Team 217’s pits and we’ll be glad to help out with anything you need! Trouble? Good luck to all competing! Photo By KARLY GRAHAM IMPI Robotics scouting team members review scouting information before alliance selection Friday at the FIRST Robotics Michigan State Championship. Data masters: the role of scouting By KARLY GRAHAM rounds. can quickly become overwhelming. Alliances also use their scouting infor- “We don’t scout on different fields,” While it’s only one person per team on mation to know what other teams are said senior Hunter Reeves of rookie team the field during alliance selection, teams capable of so that they can craft a better Huskies Robotics (Team 7244), noting that often rely on groups of student scouters strategy. it’s very difficult to handle the volume of working behind the scenes to determine “We look at all the data from the scout- teams competing at once. which robots get picked for each alliance. ing sheets to find trends,” Reyes-Winow- For some, the hardest part of scouting For the second year, the FIRST Robotics iecki said. “Our strategy team tries to find is making sure everything remains consis- Michigan State Championship is organized any weaknesses in the opposing alliance tent and accurate. into four different divisions, putting those so we can be successful.” “We prioritize reliability,” Byting Bull- scouters in difficult positions. But not every team has the resources dogs (Team 3539) junior Charlotte Sheets Scouts are responsible for tracking to support a robust scouting approach. said. multiple data points for every competing “We kinda have a simple one [scouting There is always the possibility that stu- robot, and splitting scouts between the sheets],” said Chloe Hauxwell, a scouting dents will miss a penalty call or miscount four fields can be difficult due to limited mentor for rookie team Hollywood (Team how many power cubes were placed on team members. 7211). “I’ve been entering into a spread- the scale, but the goal is to record as Teams scout in order to perfect their sheet. That’s basically all we do. We use it much useful data as possible. strategies during qualification rounds and to find basic information.” When done well, scouting can help to ensure a strong alliance. Each year, scouting changes in one way teams in their strategy development and Teams tend to choose alliance partners or another. The 2017 game, FIRST Steam- alliance selection -- for those that make it that are stronger in specific fields that works, for example, was heavily focused to the top ranks. they struggle with. on pure ability, and many robots were “We’re not at the level where we For example, if one team excels at incredibly similar in design. expect to get that far,” Hauxwell said, maintaining control of the switches, they This year’s game, however, allows for adding that her team isn’t really focused might want to invite a robot that main- more variations in robot design. This in- on scouting other divisions. Instead, it tains scale control to join their alliance. creases the need for effective strategy. focuses its resources on teams within its Teams also look for alliance partners One part of this year’s game is climbing own division. that will allow them to have the ability to during the end game (the final 30 seconds Some teams elect not to scout at all, earn as many ranking points as possible of a match) to defeat the boss. Teams including rookie team Rebel Robotics to try to rank higher during qualification have the option to help lift other robots, (Team 7234). rounds. and some have achieved that capability. But according to junior team member “We want a team that is able to cross A triple-climb is worth 90 points, and Alfredo Corbera, that doesn’t mean the the baseline, and the auto switch is a teams earn an extra ranking point for it team is without a strategy if they needed positive,” IMPI Robotics (Team 1025) during qualification rounds. to contribute to robot selection on an senior and Co-Scout Captain Jacob But there are other ways to earn points alliance. Reyes-Winowiecki said. during matches. Multiple those ways by “We’d just go by luck,” said Corbera. Teams scout for reasons beyond six teams competing in each match on choosing alliance partners in elimination each of four different fields, and the work Consumers Energy Division Total number of teams competing in the division: 40 Number of rookie teams in the division: 4 Oldest team in the division: Team RUSH (Team 27) Youngest team in the division: OsCODEa 0w|5 (Team 7250) Number of previous FIRST in Michigan District Championship wins in the division: 3 Average team number of division: 3864*

Ford Division Total number of teams competing in the division: 40 Number of rookie teams in the division: 3 Oldest team in the division: The Wings of Fire (Team 51) Youngest team in the division: Tactical Hams (Team 7248) Number of previous FIRST in Michigan District Championship wins in the division: 4 Average team number of division: 3867*

*Typically, a lower team number indicates an older team (the range represented at this competition features 2-digit to 4-digit numbers). Averag- ing the team numbers in a division and comparing to the averages of other divisions is one way to evaluate the balance of new and old teams in a division. DTE Energy Division Total number of teams competing in the division: 41 Number of rookie teams in the division: 4 Oldest team in the division: Killer Bees (Team 33) Youngest team in the division: Huskies Robotics (Team 7244) Number of previous FIRST in Michigan District Championship wins in the division: 10 Average team number of division: 4321*

Dow Division Total number of teams competing in the division: 40 Number of rookie teams in the division: 4 Oldest team in the division: The Feds (Team 201) Youngest team in the division: Irish Robotics (Team 7256) Number of previous FIRST in Michigan District Championship wins in the division: 3 Average team number of division: 3846*

By SUSAN HOLTAN

The Chairman’s Award, said to be the most prestigious award in FIRST, is only awarded to the top teams exhibiting hard work and dedication to their community and to FIRST. This award is judged based on a team’s essay, presentation and video, all Photo By JENNA DICKENS of which are expected to showcase the Drive teams get ready to take control of their robots during a match at the FIRST Robotics work of the team on and off the field. Michigan State Championship event in Saginaw Friday. Although Chairman’s aims to ac- knowledge a team’s efforts to improve FIRST and their community, every team has a different approach to achieving What it takes to make it to success. Foley Freeze (Team 910), winner of the 2018 Troy District Chairman’s Award, the FIRST Championship is one of 26 teams competing to take home the Michigan State Champion- By SUSAN HOLTAN ship Chairman’s Award. They utilize a Select Veteran Teams Veteran teams can sign up for the cham- collaborative approach to develop their For teams wishing to participate in the Chairman’s submission. pionship wait list to fill any remaining FIRST Championship from April 18-21 in slots not filled by qualifying teams. At “We sit together and we talk about Houston, Texas or from April 25-28 in De- what do we do, what should we do, or various points throughout the season, troit, Mich., specific requirements must teams signed up for the wait list may be what can we do to make our community be met in order to qualify. better and learn more about FIRST and randomly selected to participate in the Teams can qualify through one of four championship. just become more involved in STEAM,” methods: says Tim Zoski, a senior on Foley Freeze. Wild Card Slots FIRST has a mission to promote STEM Pre-Qualified Teams alongside its message of gracious profes- If a team competing at a regional earns FIRST Championship Chairman’s Award more than one FIRST Championship slot, sionalism and coopertition throughout winners (Hall of Fame teams), origi- many communities. a wild card slot will be generated. This nal and sustaining teams, 2017 FIRST can occur if a team at a regional earns Chairman’s embodies this message by Championship FIRST STEAMWORKS promoting teams to better their com- an additional championship slot after winners, 2017 FIRST Championship FIRST earning a slot before the regional, or if muities as well as encourage STEM. STEAMWORKS Engineering Inspiration Many teams focus their efforts on a team earns two qualifying spots at a Award winners, and 2017 FIRST Cham- single regional. If a team that already has outreach outside of FIRST in order to pionship Chairman’s Award finalists are spread FIRST’s message. a championship slot prior to the regional all pre-qualified to participate in the earns two qualifying spots at the region- Metal Muscle (Team 1506) is another championships. team competing for this event’s Chair- al two wild card slots will be generated. man’s award. The wild card slots are then filled by the There are six Michigan teams pre-quali- regional finalist alliance in order of team “I feel it’s important because FIRST fied for the 2018 FIRST Championship. isn’t just about the robot,” said senior selection (meaning that the order is alliance captain, 1st pick, 2nd pick, back- Erin Wolfert, in charge of business plans Merit-Based and multimedia on Metal Muscle. up), until all slots are distributed or all Merit-based qualifiers include 2018 teams are qualified. “Chairmans encourages students to Chairman’s Award winners, 2018 Engi- go out and spread FIRST, to help the neering Inspiration Award winners, 2018 Teams have the option to decline a wild community, and get more women in Rookie All-Star Award winners, 2018 FIRST.” card slot, in which case the slot goes state championship event winners and unused. The 2018 Michigan State Chairman’s top-ranked teams at 2018 district cham- Award winners will be announced at the pionships. end of the competition Saturday. For more information on championship qualification, visit www.firstinspires. org. Sponsors

Platinum Level Green Level Abrams Foundation Jeff Byer on the Wall Drapery Cleaning Gold Level Shelby Township Community Detronics Foundation Ford Motor Company Bollhaff, Inc. Innovation First International Hinkle Utica Community Schools HMS Products Co. Utica Center for Mathematics, Open Mind Development, LLC Science and Technology SECO APTIV Trion Solutions, Inc. Inovatech Waltonen SW North America, Inc. The Wisniewski Family Beatty Robotics Blue Level Silver Level Baker Industries Inc Chicken Challenge Advance Freight Traffic Service Century Plastics, Inc. Be one of the first to tweet pictures International Automotive Christian Financial Credit of these items found at the Michigan Oversight Bureau Union BAE Systems Poirier Chiropractic State Championship to @TC_217 with MNM Investment, LLC Kroger #FIRSTspotted and receive a copy of our Peter Basso Associates, Inc. children’s novel, Flooded! Kidney Specialists of MI, PC Special thanks to the Attisha Magna Seating Family, the Austerman Family, A pin Electro-Matic Products, Inc. the Beller Family, the Bogden A fire alarm BASF Corporation Family, the Briggs Family, the Continental Plastics Dawood Family, the Dickens A cardinal JK Prototype Family, the Fidler family, the A green sock GitLab Graham Family, the Gress A mascot Siemens Family, the Joseph Family, A bandana UAW the Kent Family, the Mathis A paper air plane Denso Family, the Modrak Family, the A robot with ramps Lecea Family, the Mozariwskyj Bronze Level Family, the Rodack Family, the A selfie with an announcer Achieve Industries, Inc. Schultz Family, the Stellman A snowcone Charters, Tyler & Zack, P.C. family, the Sumindan Family, Kostal of America, Inc. the Thomas Family, and the Turner Insulation Vermeulen Family

About the Thunder Press Reporters Editors Mentor Susan Holtan Alexis Mathis Karly Graham Kelly Kozlowski Jenna Dickens Bridgette Holtan Emma Fidler The Thunder Press is a student-run publication of the ThunderChickens Public Relations team overseen by Journalism Mentor Kelly Kozlowski. Newsletters are published at every competition attended by the ThunderChickens in addition to special editions for the sponsors. The publication is nonprofit and funded through money donated by sponsors. The views expressed in The Thunder Press are not necessarily those of the entire Public Relations Staff or Team 217. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TC_217