The Smith Boys: Weekend in Richmond

We headed south this weekend for a little family trip. We didn't make it far enough south to hit the beach but we did catch the FIRST robotics regional competition in Richmond! Fran teaches high school physics in Richmond and works on the robotics team at Deep Run High School. The boys were super excited to see Grammy and they loved seeing the robots. Its a really cool program where students work closely with technology companies /sponsors to design, build, program and operate their robots. Each year, the competition game is different (and usually a little convoluted). This year the game was called Lunacy. There was a very slick floor surface to deal with, and a game of trying to load other robots' trailers up with balls. There is a lot more to it than that, but generally that was the idea.

Here are some of the students explaining the robot to the kids. Note the adorable team shirts that Fran got for them and the kid sized safety glasses. (Everyone is required to wear safety glasses in "the pits".)

A very happy and proud Grammy.

The event resembles a trade show in that each team has a supply of buttons, beads, bracelets, balls and other gear emblazened with the team name. I guess the reason they have them is to promote their team to try and secure a place in an alliance in the finals. Seriously...complicated system. Anyway, the boys had fun walking around with one of Fran's students and collecting all sorts of trinkets. They also like watching the robots and all of the loudness and chaos didn't seem to bother them which was a pleasant surprise!

AND congratulations to Fran and the Blue Cheese team!! Their alliance won first place and they also won the Chairman's Award. They will be traveling to nationals in Atlanta in April!