Robotics Club/Team
The Robotics Club started in January 2015 as an ACE Program due to overwhelming demand. Due to current equipment limitations the groups have to be limited to 12 students and the initial offering had to be split into two groups and some kids were closed out. We added a third meeting for the spring to accommodate everyone who wanted to learn more about this exciting field. The interest in the program has allowed the school to look into a competitive Robotics Team to compete in the First Lego League (FFL) starting in the fall of 2015.
We were able to start a FLL (FIRST LEGO League) team and we joined the Rhode Island Region along with 80 other teams. We had two teams of 9 students and while we could not sign-up for any qualifying tournaments we did get to compete in a league tournament in January, 2016.
In the fall of 2016 we again entered two teams, The Magical Partridges and TEAM Fur-ocious, and compete in a qualifying tournament. The MP's took home the best project trophy and FUR-ocious won the event; both teams qualified for the State Championship Tournament. 40 of the 80 league teams were at Roger Williams University on a col d day in January. When it was over the Magical Partridges were in 4th place and TEAM FUR-ocious came in second. As the second place team, TEAM FUR-ocious was invited to compete in the Razorback Invitational on the campus of the University of Arkansas, May 18-21. (entry 5/10/17)
This story keeps getting better and better as the team returned from Arkansas with a 2nd place award for Project Innovative Solution. It was an exciting trip of long days and intense competition, but being a FIRST LEGO League event the spirit of "Co-opertition" and "Gracious Professionalism" shined through. The kids were able to interact with teams from around the world in formal and non-formal settings and swap pins, bracelets, button and stories.
In 2017/2018 we again entered two teams and the brought home the 1st Place Champions Award and the 2nd Place Champions Award and a trip the RI State Championship. At States our teams earned the Inspiration Award and the 2nd place Robot Game Award.
The 2019 teams again passed through the qualifier and competed at States; each of the teams improved over their qualifying scores on the Robot Game Board. A team of Beckwith graduates in the 9th grade, made up from some of the original club members, won the State Tournament and competed in the World Championships in Detroit.
The 2020 teams City Sluggos and City Croissants once again competed at a qualifying tournament and again both teams made it to States. This makes Beckwith 8 for 8 when it comes to teams advancing to the State Tournament, an accomplishment that everyone can be proud of.
Links for LEGO Robotics
FLL Instructional Videos
FLL Resources
How to Have a Successful Project Experience
Crane Mission Guidance
Programming Aid Sheets
EV3 Robotics Tutorials Programming
Intro
Moving
Loop
Touch Sensor
If/Then - Musical Instrument
Follow a Wall
Color Sensor
Gyro Sensor
Line Squaring 1 of 3 2 of 3 3 of 3
Building LEGOs
8 Building Tips
"Dog Gears"
Linear Actuator