Thursday, April 19

Today we began playing matches with the 98 other robots in the preliminary rounds. Our team is in the Science Division, which is only one of four divisions. There are one hundred other teams in each of the other three divisions: Technology, engineering, and math. our booth is decorated with posters, streamers, and balloons. Colored zip ties adorn hair and glasses, as a way to make our team memorable to the many scouts who stop by our booth to ask us questions about the robot. Scouting is a very important part of the tournament because when it comes time to choose alliance partners, we have hopefully made a good impression on the other teams.

We have an awesome team of scouts who take their job very seriously: Alice, Grace, Joyce, Sam H.and Saskia. They have split up the other 97 teams in the division between themselves and each scout takes a notebook or a clipboard of pre-printed scout sheets of the team's design to check out the other teams' capabilities. if a team is a known alliance in an upcoming match, then the scouts talk can talk strategy and report back to the drivers and the coach. Anysia and Sam Li were the designated drivers and Rachel was their coach for today's matches, and their pit crew included Chris, Michael, and Miranda were the pit crew whose role is to help trouble shoot problems with the robot and make sure the robot gets to where it needs to be.

Tomorrow is the Parade of Nations, when one representative from each team marches into the big arena where all of the teams have gathered. Seeing representatives from so many parts of the world is reminiscent of the Olympic Games' Opening Ceremony. It promises to leave a lasting impression on everyone there.

Despite the late hour, industry abounds on the seventh floor of the Marriott Suites. In Room 720, the robot is not idle or safe from constant revision; in Room 724, t-shirts are coming to life with much creativity and whimsy. The spirit of the competition is definitely flowing through our team as they prepare for five matches tomorrow. Here are the estimated times if you want to watch the live stream: 10:30, 11:33, 1:21, 2:55, and 4:16. The live stream can be found at robot events.com/championship.

Wish us luck!