2004 – FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar

Our 10th Anniversary Year!

The National Championship was held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

2004 was a record-setting season for our team in many ways. We had our most intensive travel itinerary ever, going to four regionals and nationals! We went to the Buckeye again (love that venue!), where we were named the winner of the Engineering Inspiration Award. We also went to the Great Lakes Regional in Ypsilanti, visiting our neighbors across the state. Then we traveled to the Chesapeake Regional and won the Imagery award. While we were there, our bus driver took us on a personalized, whirlwind tour of the capitol, and we saw all the major sites in an evening. Who argues with a bus driver who says, “Ok, quick! Get out. You’ve got 15 minutes to see the Lincoln Memorial.” And away we went! We also got to tour Annapolis, which was a big thrill. After these successful regional events, we went on to the West Michigan Regional, where we won the Regional Champion Award (for the first time ever!) and the Regional Chairman’s Award. We went back to our school board so proud of our accomplishments! Not only was our team busy that year with robotics, but we also helped our community by planting dune grass to stop erosion on Mt. Pissgah on Lake Michigan’s shoreline and we worked to establish a county park (Hemlock Park). Then we all put together a float for the internationally famous Tulip Time Parade! What a year!

FIRST FACTS:

Number of Teams: 927
Events Held:
26 Regionals
1 Championship

Robot Size:

130 pounds
Fit inside a 30” x 36” x 5’ space

Brief Game Description:

The game included elements from previous years' games, including mobile goals, "capping" goals with large inflatable balls, and others. In Raising the Bar, teams could score by having their human player score purple balls in any of the goals, capping the goals with a multiplier ball, or hanging their robot suspended from the 10-foot (3.0 m) high 'chin up bar'. In the qualifying matches, Teams competed in 2-member randomly generated alliances. In the elimination rounds, 3-member alliances competed against each other with one team sitting out each match. The alliance that won two matches advanced in the tournament. Teams were given 5 points for every small purple ball contained within any of the goals. The 4 small yellow balls that started on the posts were each worth 10 points when contained in any goal. Teams could double the score of any given goal by placing a large yellow ball on top of it. Finally, teams could end the match hanging from the chin-up bar for a 50 point bonus at the end of the match.