thunder

      Team 876 students and mentors have been laboring hard on their newest robot, designed to succeed in the 2022 FRC game called "Rapid React". In the new game, In RAPID REACT, two competing alliances are invited to process cargo for transportation. Each alliance is assigned a cargo color (red or blue, based on alliance affiliation) to process by retrieving their assigned cargo and scoring it into the hub. Human players assist the cargo retrieval and scoring efforts from within their terminals. In the final moments of each match, alliance robots race to engage with their hangar to prepare for transport!

   The robotic students are designing their robot to do three difficult tasks: pick up and shoot round cargo balls and finally to climb a 3 tier monkey bar system. They must figure out how to make the robot do all these functions while keeping to a starting  perimeter of 120 inches, a starting height of 52 inches and a 125 lb. weight. After the match begins, the robot may expand somewhat to  fulfill its tasks. It is powered by an on-board 12 volt battery and will be using pneumatics to do many of its duties.

    Students that have been busy on the robot this season are: Ava Chandler, Beau Enger, Trevin Hins, Rayne Korsmo, Hayden Lloyd, Elias Redding, Myelle Redding, Liam Pahner, Mary Pahner, Jett Schwehr, Angela Zaruba, Ethan Snyder, Drea Rodriguez, Aaron Rodriguez, Freyja Engen, Jay Nelson, Drew Handly, Spencer Boe and Chris Parsons.  One of the big benefits to the FIRST Robotics program is that the students are mentored by adults from the area. Mentors of the Thunder Robotics team this year include: Ben Thorsgard, Ray Aamold, Scott Ness, LleAuni Redding, Scott Mason, Candice Nelson, Corey Hagen, Jane Engen, Drake Fisher, Gary Gylten, Justin Nelson, Aaron Schwehr, Gerry Uglem, Steven Hlucny and Mike Voglewede.

   Local community members will have a great opportunity to watch their team and robot in action as Thunder Robotics will compete in the Great Northern Region at the Alerus on March 25-26th. 50 teams will come to clash and the admission will be free to the public.  Team 876 will also compete in Duluth on March 4-5th in the Lake Superior Region against 60 teams. The Thunder Robotics team is very thankful for all of their local sponsors that help make this possible.