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Bonny Eagle Robotics Team - BERT#133 - 2010

As a member of the international program, For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), the Bonny Eagle Robotics Team (BERT) is a student-based program from Bonny Eagle High School located in Southern Maine consisting of the rural towns Standish, Buxton, Limington, and Hollis. Along with a number of devoted students aging from 14 to 18, BERT has some very important and devoted mentors, parents, and returning alumni who help us reach our goals.

From the US FIRST Web site:

Vision:
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
Dean Kamen, Founder

Mission:
Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Because the Bonny Eagle Robotics Team is based at a local machining facility and not at the high school, we have, as a result, become a closer member of the Bonny Eagle community. We participate in town events such as the Limington 4th of July Fireworks, we donate food items to less fortunate community members, and volunteer at the local LEGO League events.

As a district school consisting of four towns, we have a fairly large group of people interested in a variety of subjects pertaining to the FIRST program. While largely focused on engineering and machinery, students interested in animation, programming, graphic design, schematics, and electrical works are attracted to this program and all are a vital part of our team.

Each year, in an effort to promote an interest in technology and engineering, BERT participates in the six-week ‘build season’ to develop a fully functional robot meant to accomplish the tasks and demands of the specified game released at the start of each season. At the completion of the build season, BERT sends out the robot and follows it to the FIRST Granite State Regional Competition. At this three-day event, BERT competes against teams from all over the world.

The mission of the Bonny Eagle Robotics Team is to:

  • Promote a lifelong interest in technology and engineering;
  • Make sure each individual has the chance to thrive in their area of interest;
  • Develop such skills as teamwork, cooperation, and problem-solving in an effort to overcome obstacles faced by all in the FIRST program and beyond;
  • Teach students necessary life skills and the attitude reflective if FIRST’s motto: “Gracious Professionalism.”

2010

This year we'll be competing in "Breakaway" at the Granite State Regional competition in Manchester, NH -- March 4-6, 2010.

To see different stages of our progress on the robot and preparing for the competitioin, visit our VIDEOS page.

The following video is courtesy of US FIRST and explains the basic setup of this year's competition.

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