3/8/2010 - New Jersey Regional Successes
Posted by: Lenny Bernas

After an intense three-day competition, Team Mercury has had many successes.

On Friday, the practice day, we unpacked the robot and determined our drivers. We were very excited because our robot was one of the few that could move on the field, This allowed us to better prepare for the next two days of competition and made us a strategic partner to any alliance, as we could score soccer balls in the autonomous and tele-operated periods.

Saturday was our first day of competition, and we remained spirited and excited about our team throughout the day. In addition, our Records & Business Chairs presented our team business plan, and other members spoke to judges in the pits between matches. Our Chairman's presenters were also prepared for the interview, and the team was very excited about the regional competition. Our team won the Best Website Award and was pleasantly surprised and thankful of everyone who worked on it.

Our team coach, Mr. Christopher Gregory won the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award, and our team couldn't be prouder. This is a great accomplishment, as one mentor from each team is selected for nomination, and students of that team are required to write a 600 word (or less) essay detailing the nominees impact. A panel of prior recipients then determine the regional winner. The award celebrates his commitment, passion, enthusiasm, and ability to communicate effectively and inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, and engineering.

Sunday, our final day of competition, was very hectic and exciting. We were the 22nd seed at the end of the qualification matches and drafted by Teams 1279 (Cold Fusion) and 223 (Xtreme Heat) to join the seventh alliance. After our first match, our alliance became known as the "Exploding Thermometer" alliance, as hot, cold fusion, and mercury all create an explosion, and mercury is in a thermometer. We finished as quarter-finalists, and were very excited about this year's competition.

Great job to Team Mercury and all of the teams that competed in New Jersey this year!
2/26/2010 - New Jersey Regional March 6^th & 7^th
Posted by: Lenny Bernas

On behalf of Team 1089, I'd like to invite you to our annual home New Jersey Regional. The competition includes over 60 teams competing from the tri-state area and beyond competing for three spots as the event champions. There are nearly 20 awards presented, including the prestigious Chairman's Award. You definitely don't want to miss this years exciting game, Breakaway.

Details
Dates: Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7
Location: Sun Bank National Center (previously known as the Sovereign Bank Arena) located in Trenton, NJ. You can easily find us once inside; we'll be wearing our silver competition jersey both days.
Time: 9 AM to 4 PM (both days)

Good luck to Team Mercury, and all of the teams competing at the New Jersey Regional!
2/19/2010 - Build Season well Underway
Posted by: Lenny Bernas

This season has been a roller coaster of success for Team 1089 and many hard-working members. Beginning in January, we were given the six week challenge to fully design, build, and program a robot to compete in the 2010 game, Breakaway. With five days remaining in our build season, 1089 is kicking it into high gear to complete many key tasks.

Everyone is working hard to complete their tasks in the given time frames. Our Web Design group is making final modifications to our 2010 website, and our Award Submissions Committee has successfully completed our Chairman's and Woodie Flower's submissions. The Digitial Design group finished an animation for the Excellence in Design Award and Records & Business is making changes to our team business plan. Public Relations has also released a newsletter, and are in the process of coordinating invitations to the upcoming New Jersey Regional.

On the technical end, our programming team is testing our robot, which is capable of kicking a ball and going over and under the bumps on the field. We are excited about our current successes and wish everyone out there a successful final days of build season! Go teams!