Day 18: I am so not here right now!

Nothing really to report. These last few days have been kind of slow. My partner is away and I have been studying more than working on the blog and minutes. Most people don't come to the meetings right now, and the build team is the only one getting things done. I think we all need to take a day off and stop pushing ourselves so hard.
- Kait. Communications

Day 17: We're Responsible! Most of the time...

Hey everyone, so I have discovered that no matter how hard I try I am just going to miss a couple of days here and there. With exams happening at the end of the week I do not expect to be here everyday like I had planned. And weekends I work, so posting then won't be an option. So for now you will have to deal with my crazy schedule.
As you all know, Sam and I went out on Friday to get more sponsors, and though we didn't come home with any money, we got some yes's and some maybe's which is more than we had hoped for. Everyone was really nice about it, and a lot of people had to hand our letter onto higher ups who would get back to us on a later date. At least they were going to give it a try, and who knows, maybe some of them will pull through for us.
We have quite a bit of money so far, but not nearly enough for the competition. We don't even have enough to cover the hotel yet, which is important. Thankfully we had enough on the budget from last time to cover the entry fee, which was a big step.
Right now we don't have a lot of members with us, due to exams being in a few days so that is putting us a bit behind, but we were ahead to begin with so hopefully we will not lose too much time with this delay. Even Sam has abandoned me (not really) to catch up on work she needs to complete before the end of the semester.
That's all I have to say for today other than the fact we are getting closer to the competition and I still haven't heard from York University regarding the rooming situation, but who cares. We don't need them!
- Kait. Communications

Day 14: On the Go

Sorry guys, not a lot of time to talk. Sam and I are off to all of the dealerships in Cobourg to look for more sponsorships! I'll let you know how it goes!
- Kait and Sam. Communications

Day 13: Lucky Thirteen

Good day, everyone! Getting right into the swing of things, we are meeting tonight, all teams, and are looking forward to getting further on the robot.
Wiring team made contact with one of our sponsors/mentors yesterday via video chat and spoke with him on how to proceed with the wiring board. Today they are back to work without delay on completing the board.
Communications team is planning on more sponsors and mapping our locations to apply to, along with getting the supplies for the mascots for the competition.
Build team is doing what they do, right now blowing up a giant ball (productive...) and then hopefully working on the robot!!!!
Not much to say today, other than that Sam is back now and we are working together again, thank god.
- Kait and Sam. Communications.

Day 12: Oh my God, make it stop!

Alright, so once again I missed a day of updating the blog. I had to work after school, but I didn't have time when I got home to update, nor did I know what had gone at the meeting that I had missed.
Sam is back, thank god, and can now begin helping me on the minutes and getting more sponsors. Let me send a shout out to FoodLand for their generous donation to our cause, and the Kawartha Credit Union for taking the time to look over our letter for more sponsorship. But we are not nearly close enough. Sam and I will be working on handing out more letters and hopefully we will be able to find even a few more people to help us out.
We also have to start thinking of our mascot costume ideas.
Wiring team has made a lot of progress on the circuit board and I have even seen some of the gears moving, which is a good sign. Mr. Brown says that things are coming along smoothly, and seems pretty proud of the team and how well it is doing.
Build team had been running into one problem after another, after their catapult idea almost broke the ceiling, oops. I think they are working on something new now, and are meeting almost every day to keep the work going on the robot.
Also, there has been some fighting over the name of the robot. Last time we named it, it was called MONTE based on the Big Bang Theory, because we all thought that we were nerds like they were in the show. This year we are split down the middle on what we should name it. Half of the team thinks that Helga is a good name, and half the team is completely against it. I don't quite like the name myself, but my partner Sam is dead set on the name.
P.S. I think I am the only one who didn't know about the calender stating what nights each team will be meeting. Mr. Brown says that communications should be there every nights, so it doesn't really affect me, but I am a little hurt that I hadn't noticed it before.
- Kait. Communications.

Day 10: Back to business

Okay, so I missed yesterday. Sue me. I had to work and I wasn't even at the meetings. So I will pick up from what I know.
The idea we had was scrapped and they began working on a new project. And when I say 'they' I mean the build team. I, from communications, have nothing to do with that. I merely take what they tell me and put it into words.
Wiring team is still working away, my partner is supposed to be returning today, which should make things a hell of a lot easier from now on. Build team may or may not be meeting today based on what I have heard so I can't be very helpful on that part.
Still no word from York on housing arrangements for the time of the competition (really wish they would give me an answer, even if it is a no) so that is another dead end right now until we hear back.
Still a lot to do and the clock is ticking down until the time of the competition at Crescent school. Are we going to kick some axles? We hope so.
So I'll fill in tomorrow, or my partner will.
- Kait. Communications.

Day 8: You Better Believe it!

Believe it or not, robotics actually meets on weekends as well. I was not able to attend today, but most of the team will be there working away until about 4. So let's all cheer them on while they give up the few days they have off of school a week to go back into school and help our team get closer to finishing the robot.
- Kait. Communications

Day 7: Not Today!

Sorry to break it to all of you, but there will not be a meeting tonight for the robotics team. Mr. Morgan wants a day off, so build team is taking a break. Mr. Brown is not meeting for the wiring team and I, for communications, will not be staying alone at the school just to update the minutes and do my thing alone.
The team will be meeting again tomorrow at 10:00 AM for all those who are coming out. So take today to rest up and get ready for the intense building to come. We all know how panicked we are going to get once time starts running out and we get closer and closer to Bag and Tag day (to you of those who do not know, Bag and Tag is the day we shut the hopefully finished robot away and then don't touch it again until the competition date. We are not allowed to practice on it, make repairs, or touch it in any way.)
I have no other news to report as of this moment, so I will write again when something changes.
- Kait. Communications
P.S The robot has now been named Helga, because we can't use MONTE again. Oh well.

Day 6: We're on Fire!

Okay, so according to Mr. Brown, he prefers this font as it is easier to read. And despite some idiot attempting to set our school on fire today, Robotics continues without delay!
We have decided to start taking pictures of the robot at the end of each build day to create a stop-motion movie of the robot from start to finish, showing all of the little steps along the way. There will also be a journal of sorts being kept of everything we do each day for the competition and those who wish to read it once we are done.
Still no word from York University on the matter of renting room, and the competition date is growing ever closer.
Now that I know, I am able to tell you that the competition date is set for February 28, as Crescent School in Toronto (fancy I know) and will be going on until the 2nd of March. If you are in the area at the time we would love it if you came out to support us, if it is possible.
The last time we competed we were in a large arena in Mississauga, and it was open to the public to come and see. This year might be different, and we have no idea how things are going to work out until we get there and start setting up.
We are going for gold this year boys and girls, and we are going to need all the support we can get. We are still accepting all donations and we are still working hard.
So I will get back to you all when I can, (time to start taking pictures and all that other little stuff that must be done)
- Kait, Communications

Robotics Day 5: Off to a good start

Hello again everyone! We are working hard again to complete the robot, and so far we have built a sturdy base! Now that may not seem like much to most of you, but to have so much completed in only five days is actually quite amazing, especially considering that we have run into little things that are slowing us down such as the snow day and losing people on weekends due to work.
There are still spots on the team open for those willing to put in the hours, so see Mr. Elliot if you are interested. Once again, please only apply if you are part of our school.
We are still looking for sponsors of any donation; money, mentors, food, supplies, you name it! Any amount is welcomed, so feel free to contact us if you are interested.
With my partner away and the other members of communications MIA, I am riding solo on my projects for the next week.
For now the build team is working away on the robot, the wiring team is making progress on the circuit board, programming is ripping out their hair trying to get their codes, and little old me here on communications is stuck working the minutes and doing those extra chores here and there. (still so much little work to do: finding hotel for competition, find sponsors, update website, take pictures, fill out book, business plan... and so on)
Sigh, everyone is working so hard and I am just sitting here typing in the blog. I want to bounce the giant ball around too :,(...
Oh well, until next update when I have hopefully gotten more accomplished,
Kait, Communications

New Year

Okay, as some of you might have heard, last year due to the strike by teachers the Robotics team did not happen. This year we have been hopeful that there were no complications, and so far we are well on our way.
At this time we are three days into the build season and we have started the process of building our robot. (We are having trouble coming up with a name for her because MONTE is hard to beat)
This years challenge is 'Arial Assault' but don't be confused by the name it has nothing to do with flying what so ever. Think more soccer, with a twist. I don't know why they called the challenge this, so don't ask why, but either way we won't have a flying robot if we can help it.
If you are interested in joining the team, and are enrolled in our school, please see Mr. Elliot for details. I will be updating this blog as often as I can, so keep up to date with our posts and follow us if you can.
Remember ladies and gents, competition day is growing closer, and every moment counts. Build team is meeting tonight, and we need people to be taking photos.
Until next time,
Kait.