The Hi Fives Robotics Team, a local group of students from Grand Junction, Colorado, has achieved an impressive feat: they have qualified for the World Championship of robotics for the third year in a row. The team, also known as FIRST Robotics Team 4944, is one of the top 50 teams in the Pacific Northwest district, and will compete against hundreds of teams from around the world in Houston, Texas.
How the Hi Fives Robotics Team Made It to the Top
The Hi Fives Robotics Team is part of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), a global program that challenges high school students to design, build, and program robots that can perform complex tasks. Each year, the FRC announces a new game that the teams have to prepare for in a limited time. This year, the game was called Infinite Recharge, and it involved shooting foam balls into different goals, spinning a color wheel, and climbing a generator switch.
The Hi Fives Robotics Team worked hard to design and build a robot that could excel at the game. They also had to overcome various challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to work remotely and follow safety protocols. Despite the difficulties, the team managed to create a robot that could shoot balls accurately, spin the wheel quickly, and climb the switch reliably.
The team participated in several regional events, where they competed against other teams and earned points based on their performance. They also received awards for their engineering, innovation, and teamwork. After the regional events, the team ranked 8th out of 158 teams in the Pacific Northwest district, which secured them a spot at the World Championship.
What the Hi Fives Robotics Team Hopes to Achieve at the World Championship
The World Championship is the ultimate stage for the FRC teams, where they will face the best of the best from across the globe. The event will take place in Houston, Texas, from April 19 to 22, 2024. The Hi Fives Robotics Team is excited and proud to represent their community and their district at the World Championship.
The team hopes to perform well at the World Championship and showcase their skills and creativity. They also hope to learn from other teams and make new connections. The team’s co-captain, Felix Halaska, a senior at Grand Junction High School, said, “The PNW competition saw world-class play. Many of the matches earned near-perfect scores, with just a few points separating competitors. I can’t wait for Houston!”
The team’s other co-captain, Meira Griffel, also a senior at Grand Junction High School, added, “The game we were playing was essentially one big engineering problem, and it was inspiring to see all the different solutions teams came up with to solve it. I’m looking forward to seeing what the teams from other countries have to offer.”
How the Hi Fives Robotics Team Needs Your Support
The Hi Fives Robotics Team is not only a group of talented and passionate students, but also a self-funded and community-based organization. The team relies on donations and sponsorships from local businesses and individuals to cover the costs of materials, tools, travel, and registration fees. The team estimates that they will need about $25,000 to attend the World Championship, which is a significant amount for a small team.
The team is currently fundraising in hopes to cover their travel expenses to Texas. They are asking for the support of their community and anyone who is interested in robotics and STEM education. The team has set up a GoFundMe page, where people can donate any amount they can. The team also welcomes any in-kind donations, such as airline miles, hotel vouchers, or equipment.
The team’s mentor, Lallie McKenzie, said, “Competing at this level will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of our team members. We’re fundraising now to help offset costs to ensure the competition is within reach of all team members, regardless of an ability to pay.”
The Hi Fives Robotics Team is grateful for any support they can get, and they promise to do their best at the World Championship. They also hope to inspire other students and young people to pursue their interests in robotics and STEM fields.
