Cimarron HS Robotics Program

On March 9th we visited Cimarron Memorial HS for a demonstration of the robots they built for competition. Here's an article submitted by President Elect Gregg Townsend.

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I, Rotarian Robot?

By Gregg Townsend

L-R: Stacey Wedding,  (John's assistant), John Krakauer,
Dennis Ortwein, Gregg Townsend, Judith Filangeri,
Stephen McKinney, Eric Stensrud, Isaac Salame, Jacob Mauro
Curtis Spence   Chad Pesquera Erick Caballero  Joe Barry
(Photographer, not shown, Dennis Filangeri

Machines help people in many ways.  On March 9^th, a robot did dual work: it made a sick man feel better, and it made basketball free throws as well.

At noon in the old wood shop classroom at Cimarron Memorial High School, the Robotics Team put on a free throw shooting demonstration with their entry into this year's FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®). "Rebound Rumble."

The 2012 “Rebound Rumble” robotics game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. Each Alliance competes by trying to score as many of the basketballs in the hoops as possible during the two-minute and 15-second match. Balls scored in higher hoops score teams more points. Team Alliances are awarded bonus points if they are balanced on bridges at the end of the match.

The Cimarron student Robotics Team designed and built the robot.  Competition begins shortly and, as one of nine teams in the valley, Cimarron will soon know how good their robot is.

And the Rotary connection?  With school budgets cut to the bone, the Robotics Team depends upon donations from corporate sponsors and caring individuals.  John Krakauer of the Las Vegas Summerlin Rotary is one of them.  John made a $10,000 donation to the team through the Las Vegas Northwest Rotary Foundation. Though in frail health, John came to see the demonstration, and fairly glowed. From the first three baskets sunk by the robot, the smile on his face spoke to the pride in his heart for the Robotics Team and all their efforts.  The funds helped the Cimarron Robotics team excel in the valley and state competition over the years.

With pride the students demonstrated their robot's capabilities, zipping around a seated John Krakauer, picking up basketballs, returning to the shooting line, putting up shots and sinking almost every one. Then off it would go again. Jeremy Lin, watch out!

Clark County high schools overall have fewer than 50% of its students graduating, but the Robotics Team boasts a 100% graduation rate, and most of its members go on to college with scholarships. 

Engineering and computers have come a long way in a short time, but good people like John and good organizations like Rotary have gone even further.  Service above Self goes a long way: it can even help make a free throw.