Breakaway

Breakaway proved to be one of Team 230’s most successful seasons to date.  The robot that the design team delivered was able to play the game expertly.  Primarily a mid-fielder, Talon XI showed that it could be just as effective at defense in the backfield as at sweeping balls in the goal zone.  The ability to hang from the alliance tower was crucial to the robot’s success.  The Gaelhawks gained their first regional title since 2004 and were finalists or semi-finalists in all other events they competed in.

Talon XI was an extremely robust machine requiring only minor repairs during the season.   There were very few modifications made post-ship, including software.  This was the year everything came together.

Short of funds at the start of the season, the team was faced with competing in only one regional event in 2010.  Thanks to the generosity of the WPI Regional Planning Comittee, 230 was able to secure a travel grant to cover some of the costs.  Reaching deep into their pockets, the cost of the entry fee was raised.

After the Regional win at WPI, Team 230 was able to secure the additional funding necessary to compete in additional events.  Thanks to its major sponsors, the team was able to compete in both the FIRST Connecticut Regional and attend the last Championship event at the Georgia Dome.

Students

Teachers

Engineers

Parents

2010 Events

• • WPI Regional – Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester, MA March 11- 13 2010
    • Coopertition Award
    • Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation
    • Regional Winner
  • Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional – Connecticut Convention Center – Hartford, CT  April 1-3 2010
    • Excellence in Design Award sponsored by Autodesk
    • FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award – Emily Spoldi
    • Quality Award sponsored by Motorola
    • Regional Finalist
    • Webcast curtesy of Team 23
  • FIRST Championship – Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA  April 15-17 2010
    • Galileo Division Semi-finalists

Team Awards

• • Founder’s Award – Mr. Steve Kline
  • Talon Award – Emily Spoldi
  • Unsung Hero Award – Ed McCann
  • Spirit Award – Sean Wilson
  • Media Technology Award – Michael Rak
  • Rookie All-Star – Will Latino
  • Engineering Inspiration – Ryan Rousell
  • Volunteer of the Year – Lou Schmecker / Steve Spoldi
  • Engineers’ Scholar – Ryan Rousell

Community Events

• • Team 230 Mentoring of Shelton Intermediate FLL Team, the Thundering Tigers, Shelton High School, Shelton, CT September thru December, 2009
  • FLL Shelton Qualifying Event – FIRST Lego League Connecticut State Qualifying Event hosted by Team 230 – Shelton Intermediate School, Shelton, CT December 5, 2009
  • Wii Bowling Tournament – Hosted by Team 230 – Shelton High School, Shelton, CT December 11, 2009
  • FLL Connecticut State Championship – Team 230 Student & Mentor Judges – Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT December 13, 2009
  • Team 230 & Team 558 FRC Mentor Sharing – Shelton High School & Hill Regional Career High School – Build Season 2010
  • Team 230 picnic, Miscenik Residence, Shelton, CT June 19, 2010
  • Read Across America – A reading incentive program for Elementary Schools – Long Hill School, Shelton, CT March 2, 2010
  • Shelton Board of Education Certificate of Appreciation Presentation to Team 230 – Mohegan School, Shelton CT April 12, 2010
  • FIRST Championship Robo Prom – Team 230 Attendees – Atlanta, GA April 15, 2010
  • GSA FLL Local Event – Team 230 Judges – Helen Keller Middle School, Easton, CT May 1, 2010
  • Adopt-a-Family – Providing Christmas to local families in need
  • Shelton Food Bank – Soliciting donations of canned goods and non-perishables for local families in need

Off-Season Competitions

• • 11th Annual Bash@theBeach – Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, CT October 3, 2009
  • Suffield Shakedown – Suffield High School, Suffield, CT February 20, 2010
    • Finalist
  • BattleCry11@WPI – WPI Harrington Auditorium, Worcester, MA May 7-8, 2010
    • Finalist
  • 3rd Annual Where Is Wolcott Invitational – Wolcott High School, Wolcott, CT June 12, 2010
    • Play of the Day Award
    • Top Score Award
    • Finalists