Get to Know Us |
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Our rookie year is off to a blast!
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Established September 2018
Machine Mavericks is Kingston’s newest FIRST
Robotics team. This rookie team is made up of students from four different high schools and community organizations. It prides itself on being the creation of two female students and actively strives for parity in STEM fields. We currently have about 11 females and 2 males, and we continue to recruit new members. |
What makes us UniqueWe Prioritize Gender Parity in STEM
Machine Mavericks believes that young women and men learning to work together is of great value to the 21st century workplace. We Have an In-House Machine Shop Machine Mavericks is the only team in Kingston with an in-house machine shop which allows students hands-on training and experience in an industrial setting. It also allows for a complete approach to a build-test-rebuild cycle in a time sensitive situation. |
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What does a FIRST Robotics Season look like?
The Machine Mavericks use the fall season to learn machining, software development, CAD, safety protocols, team organization and non-profit business development. They are preparing for a grueling six week build season beginning the first week of January where they will put their newly learned STEM skills to the ultimate test: build a robot that works!
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GAME ON!
The 2019 competition game Destination: Deep Space (sponsored by Boeing) is released on January 5. Teams will have exactly SIX WEEKS to design, build, program and test a 120 lb. robot. During this period, students dedicate every moment possible outside of school to crank out the best possible robot that can perform challenges described in the competition. The process of creation, experimentation, revision and documentation is tough and exacting. With a final working robot in the bag, teams launch out to provincial competitions where hundreds of teams and thousands of team members and families come to view the “Varsity Sport of the Mind”. In addition to the physical competition, a team must be fully prepared to explain to judges how they organized themselves and built their robot. (Watch Canadian Rick Mercer’s 6 minute segment on the robots in action.) The goal is to have a robot that can make it to World Championships! |
Our Mentors
Niall O'Driscoll
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Ted Hsu
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Tara Sharkey
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Ken Nutt
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We need you!
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A special shout out thanks to our amazing shop mentor Brad!!
Thank you also to our more casual mentors who come in when they can make it! Jessie S., Oscar R., Rob C., Jessie R., Jack D., Griffin L., Brayden S., Parker R., and Don B.
Mentor Recruitment
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A community robotics team needs LOTS of mentors to give hands on help to students. We are always in need of mentors for: machining, programming, WHMIS Safety and business development. We also need mentors in business skills, fundraising, and presentation skills. Mentors volunteer 3-12 hours a week helping out; maybe more during the build season starting January. We can't thank our mentors enough!
If you, or someone you know, would like to mentor, we'd love to talk with you more! |
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Our Amazing Parent Volunteers
We simply could not function without all of the help from team parents! Thanks go out to the following parents for stepping up to help:
Sarah B. for leading the team to understand the tournaments and award competitions, as well as helping make bumpers; Helen M. for taking on the banking; Sue K. for organizing our meals and signup sheets, as well as safety presentation; Caroline for scouting out travel accommodations; Sandra for taking on grant writing; and, to all the parents who contribute time as a second mentor presence and those who have made fabulous meals during build season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sarah B. for leading the team to understand the tournaments and award competitions, as well as helping make bumpers; Helen M. for taking on the banking; Sue K. for organizing our meals and signup sheets, as well as safety presentation; Caroline for scouting out travel accommodations; Sandra for taking on grant writing; and, to all the parents who contribute time as a second mentor presence and those who have made fabulous meals during build season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!