Wee Waa Bush Bots are ‘recharged and rebooted’ for 2020

Wee Waa High School’s legendary robotics team has recharged, rebooted and launched back into action, hosting its official 2020 unveiling event at WWHS last Monday evening.

Community members, sponsors, parents, Narrabri Shire Council Mayor Cathy Redding and robot enthusiasts gathered at the school’s gymnasium to enjoy a Rotary steak sandwich and the grand unveiling of the team’s robot, named BB5.

“We’ve called it BB5 because it’s a bush bot and it’s our fifth year of competition,” said WWHS student and Bush Bot Alice Haire.

“The team was thrilled with the launch and we are so very blessed to have great community support,” said WWHS teacher and Bush Bots’ mentor Sharon Grellman.

“We received many compliments and we are also very proud of our robot this year as we have achieved a team goal to build an intake and shooting system for the first time,” said Mrs Grellman.

“The team started in our after-school sessions in December with this as a goal and we’re very optimistic about our performance and many people think this has the potential to be our best robot yet.”

Bush Bots Josie Galagher and Alice Haire with their Bush Bot mascot sewn by Robyn Allen. Bush Bots Josie Galagher and Alice Haire with their Bush Bot mascot sewn by Robyn Allen.

Whitehaven representative Darren Swain, NSC Mayor Cathy Redding and Namoi Cotton representative James Woodrow. Whitehaven representative Darren Swain, NSC Mayor Cathy Redding and Namoi Cotton representative James Woodrow.

Steve Ainsworth Cotton Grower Services representative and Graeme Tolson CRDC representative. Steve Ainsworth Cotton Grower Services representative and Graeme Tolson CRDC representative.

WWHS teacher and Bush Bots mentor Sharon Grellman and CSD representative John Galagher. WWHS teacher and Bush Bots mentor Sharon Grellman and CSD representative John Galagher.

Sara Jane Horne, , Paige Morrison and Mackenzie Jones. Sara Jane Horne, , Paige Morrison and Mackenzie Jones.

Billy Shearin being served up a sausage sandwich by Rotarians Kerry Watts and David Grellman at the Bush Bots launch last Monday. Billy Shearin being served up a sausage sandwich by Rotarians Kerry Watts and David Grellman at the Bush Bots launch last Monday.

Isaac Weaver and Dean Bennett Clancy. Isaac Weaver and Dean Bennett Clancy.

The Bush Bots’ robot for 2020 in action, last Monday night. “We’ve called it BB5 because it’s a bush bot and it’s our fifth year of competition,” said WWHS student and Bush Bot Alice Haire. The Bush Bots’ robot for 2020 in action, last Monday night. “We’ve called it BB5 because it’s a bush bot and it’s our fifth year of competition,” said WWHS student and Bush Bot Alice Haire.

Bush Bots Isaac Weaver, Michael Horner and Alice Haire showing Mayor Cathy Redding how to control the robot BB5. Bush Bots Isaac Weaver, Michael Horner and Alice Haire showing Mayor Cathy Redding how to control the robot BB5.

This year’s 2020 FIRST International Robotics Championships has a Star Wars based theme ‘Infinite Recharge’ and requires the team to build a robot that can deliver power cell balls, spin a colour wheel and have the capability to climb.

The team was due to travel to Sydney for the South Pacific Regional competition on March 20, to compete at Olympic Park but due to concerns around coronavirus the event has been postponed until later this year.

On the bright side – our beloved Bush Bots said it means they have more time to “build and practise”.

However, last Monday’s launch was pretty impressive and indicates the team is ready-to-roll.

Before the demonstration, WWHS students delivered a presentation to the audience about the Bush Bot team members, their strategy for 2020, sponsor acknowledgements and gave a heartfelt thank you to their mentors including Mrs Grellman, Jo Horne and Steven Edwards-Catt.

“Every year, our team has been lucky enough to gain a small group of new members,” said WWHS student and Bush Bot Hayden Shearin.

“New members bring new ideas, skill and passion to learn new things. This year we have had four new members join the team.

“After coming to the ‘Duel Down Under’ last year, they have been working to learn how to design, build, wire, and code the robot.”

Hayden said the robotics team presented an opportunity to develop new skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as teamwork and communication.

“I joined the robotics team at the end of last year for the experience of working with the different components of the robot, as well as working in a team environment,” added WWHS student Mackenzie Jones who is a new Bush Bot member.

“I also wanted to take the chance to try something new. I have since been learning to program the different parts of the robot from the drive train to the shooter and intake system.”

“After going to my first comp. at the ‘Duel Down Under’ last year, I have spent this year working on the mechanics of the robot,” added Josie Galagher, WWHS student and Bus Bot.

“I have been working with both mentors and the older team members to learn the different components of the robot and how to put them together and take them apart. “

WWHS student and new Bush Bot Paige Morrison said she was nervous because she’s never been to an official competition before but said she was excited to travel to the event in Sydney in the future.

“I am curious to see how the team works under pressure in the competition. All in all, I am very excited for the trip,” said Paige.

WWHS student and Bush bot Dean Bennett Clancy said that this year’s competition offers many new ways of scoring.

“Most of the game elements were similar to last season, though one of them brings a brand new challenge,” he told the audience.

“The main way to score is by delivering the yellow power cells to the power port at the opposite end of the field and gaining higher points depending on the level, similar to that of steam works.

“The game ends with a climb which is another element seen in previous games.

“The final element is the control panel, which requires robots to spin the wheel a certain way once a set number of power cells have been scored.

“These elements, along with penalties, are how we score in this year’s game.”

Robotics team member and WWHS student Michael Horne spoke about the Bush Bots strategy for 2020.

“Our robot this year has been designed to complete as many of the different game elements as possible.

“We have an intake system that is capable of collecting balls off the ground and carrying four balls across the field.

“Our shooter then allows us to reach the high goal which gives us two points for each ball.

“Our robot also has the capability to spin the control panel, though by looking at previous matches, it has not appeared to be a priority during matches.

“Our robot’s role in matches is also influenced by what the other teams on our alliance are able to do.

“At the end of the match out robot is able to climb the shield generator in order to get bonus points as well as the opportunity for a ranking point.”

Michael said the team’s build design was focused on creating a “strong and durable robot that can handle being hit, which we plan to use to our advantage”.

“With the help of fast motors, and practiced drivers, we should be able to move quickly around the field to score as many points as possible during the limited time frame,” Michael added.

The Bush Bots then delivered an action-packed, robot demonstration for the crowd and attendees, including Mayor Cathy Redding were invited to have a turn at controlling the robot.

The Bush Bots’ major sponsor HATCH, an engineering and development consultancy said it “believes that all students should be given the opportunity to make a positive change through STEM education and we are thrilled that our FIRST robotics sponsorship promotes this throughout regional and rural Australia.”