I wanted to share the following article with you from Whitesboro Central School District News:

Whitesboro Central School District News: SUNY Poly Robotics Team Visits High School Technology Classes

The “Second Mouse.”

It’s not the name of a pop band or even a computer. Second Mouse is the name of SUNY Polytechnic (Poly) Institute’s FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) team. Two members from the team - - and its robot - - visited Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes at Whitesboro High School on September 24.

The technology classes, taught by Mr. Jensen and Mr. Smith, are primarily for juniors and seniors. During the year, their students make “BattleBots” - - small, remote controlled machines. So, being able to see and learn about Second Mouse’s much larger robot, first hand, was a rewarding experience.

“There’s a direct link between what Second Mouse does and what Whitesboro’s students are doing,” said Shawn Casler, technology teacher at Whitesboro Middle School. “I have tried to help the High School and Middle School form a close relationship with SUNY Poly because of its location to Whitesboro and its Nanocenter.”  

Second Mouse is also known as Team 5030 and is registered with the parent organization FIRST - - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Team 5030 is in its third year of competition and in 2013, it’s very first year, it won the Tech Valley Regional at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning the team an invitation to compete in the World Festival in St. Louis, Missouri.

Competitions are like many other sporting events. There’s fans, judges and, of course, many competitive students. The competitions take place on a basketball sized court and two teams of three - - and their robots - - go head to head at a time. The robots must complete specific tasks and the team whose robot accomplishes the tasks most successfully in the shortest amount of time, wins. Leading up to a competition, there’s a build season with precise instructions and guidelines that typically lasts around six weeks. After build season is over, teams can’t touch their robots until the day of a competition.

Second Mouse’s robot, which was displayed to Whitesboro’s students, can pick up, carry and stack recyclables and garbage. There’s an autonomous phase, when the robot is programmed to do a task automatically, and a driver phase, when a person actually controls the robot’s movements and actions.

Second Mouse is actively recruiting high school students to join its team. SUNY Poly Director of Continuing Professional Education Marv Meissner and Anthony Martino of Utica College will act as senior mentors, and at least one of them will be present at all meetings where power tools are used. SUNY Poly undergraduates and FIRST veterans will act as junior mentors. Students from various backgrounds are being sought.

“High school and college students with many different interests drive the program,” said Elizabeth Rossi, K-12 Outreach Director at SUNY Poly. “While a technical aptitude is helpful, our team is run like a business. Effective team members may also demonstrate research, writing, web design, marketing and fundraising skills. We are seeking students who can contribute to the team in their own unique way.”

Second Mouse plans to meet for about 15 hours a week starting in January. Once FRC tournaments begin in early March, team meetings will increase in frequency and length. Most meetings will take place at SUNY Poly in one of its robotics labs.

High school students design, construct, test and refine an actual competition robot, with guidance.

“The need for skilled trades is going to be huge with the new Nanocenter in Marcy,” said Casler. “I want our students to be aware of the opportunities SUNY Poly has to offer.”

If you’re a student and are interested in learning more about Second Mouse and FRC, or would like to join the team, click here. The link will tell you how to submit an application. You can also call 315.792.7383 or email stemoutreach@sunypoly.edu for more information.

For a schedule of upcoming K-12 outreach events at SUNY Poly, click here.