Robotics
Team 3309 Friarbots aims to form competent STEM student leaders while competing at the highest level in FIRST and VEX robotics. Students develop and practice skills such as leadership, design, 3D printing, CAD, programming, wood work, metal work (advanced fabrication, CNC machining, welding, etc.), and much more in an enthusiastic, student-driven environment. We provide opportunities for community outreach, parent involvement, hands on training, mentorship, and partnership with sponsors resulting in a cohesive and highly competitive robotics team. Team 3309 is one of the most reputable robotics programs in Orange County and has been ranked in the top 25 programs in the world for the past several years. New students may participate with no prior experience needed. For more information please visit Team3309.org.
About
Mission Statement
To inspire students to develop stem skills in an enthusiastic, student-driven environment through community outreach and partnerships with sponsors to build a fully-functioning, competitive robot.
What we do
The Friarbots were established in 2009 to enter a team in the FIRST and VEX Robotics Competitions to help expand Servite High School’s math and science programs. We believe that participating in FIRST and VEX provides a unique challenge to the students at Servite High School and Rosary High School, and enables them to show their talent at a national and international level. Furthermore, we believe that participating in FIRST and VEX teaches students how to work in a team environment and collaborate between the various committees that make up the team. By competing in the FIRST and VEX Robotics competitions, we hope to give students the opportunity to garner experience in the fields of business, engineering and programming to assist them with future careers.
Previous robotics and/or programming experience is not required to join the team. Mentors, moderators and team members are available to help new members learn the tasks that are of interest to them, whether that means being machine-trained or leaning CAD or programming. Members also utilize their writing, animation and photography skills to publish Servite TV segments, promotional videos, marketing materials, and the team website. The team video, created yearly for the Chairman’s Award, provides great insight into the Friarbots’ program.
Team 3309 is comprised of 14 different committees in charge of the various aspects of the team’s function, including public relations, design, build, programming, and project management. Each committee works closely with an adult mentor who has experience in a related field, and who is able to guide the students in the more technical aspects of their work. Each committee is headed by an experienced student who is able to further structure and guide the direction of the project. Through our peer leadership program, the leaders of the team educate newer members and teach them the skills required to be a contributing member of the team. It is a way to entrust them with greater responsibilities and imbue the confidence needed to become effective leaders. The program gives us the peace of mind that no person on the team falls behind or is lacking their ability to contribute.
Participation in FIRST and VEX allows Servite and Rosary students to utilize and broaden their understanding of today’s technology. It gives them the opportunity to apply their knowledge of mathematics and science. Students learn to work together and focus their skills in many areas including computer science, physics, and engineering. At the present time, this is the only technology-based team at our school, and it provides a unique opportunity for students. The Friarbots are grateful to have the support of the school administration, which has been instrumental in organizing and facilitating the details surrounding Team 3309. Team 3309 has the support of sponsors and mentors, as well as a dedicated group of parents that make the team a success.
As a two school team, we lead by example. It is a concept of leadership that distinguishes us from other teams. All members of the team learn that dedication and determination lead to success. These leadership qualities are passed onto other members and are coupled with the leadership ideals of FIRST and VEX. Team 3309 brings this dedication, determination, and leadership to our local community and to the competitions.
Awards
2016
- Chairman’s Award, Los Angeles Regional
- Dean’s List Finalist, Los Angeles Regional – Jon Logrippo
2015
- Innovation in Control: Team 3309 developed a unique system for maintaining command over their Robot. The execution and use of all components were shown to be stellar.
- Quality Award Curie Carver Division: Team 3309’s has come together to construct a robot that has competed at and won in the World Division for its quality.
- Excellence in Engineering: The Friarbots have earned this award twice across two regions for their elegant and advantageous design.
- Finalist, LA Regional: Team 3309 was one of three teams in an alliance that competed in the final matches of the LA Regional competition.
- Winner, Arizona West Regional: Team 3309 emerged the victors of the inaugural Arizona West Regional.
2014
- Engineering Inspiration: Team 3309 has shown the results of success in their projects and appreciation for engineering in their school and community.
2013
- Las Vegas Innovation in Control Award
- Las Vegas Semi-Finalist with 341 and 3366 (Alliance Captain)
- Los Angeles Industrial Design Award
- Los Angeles Semi-Finalist with 2443 and 3408
2012
- Central Valley Finalist with 254 and 1323
- Los Angeles Entrepreneurship Award
- Los Angeles Dean’s List Finalist – James Carr
- Los Angeles Semi-Finalist with 599 and 1138
- SCRRF Fall Classic Finalist with 1538 and 3647
Robots
2017 steamworks
2017 robot - "Vulcan"
2017 saw the Friarbots reach new heights with one of the most advanced Friarbot machines to date. Vulcan was designed to play all aspects of STEAMworks: score fuel, collect and place gears, and climb aboard the airship during the end game. The “turntable” indexer in the 100 “fuel unit” capacity hopper integrated with the sleek turreted single wheel flywheel to allow for high-efficiency scoring at around 7-8 balls per second. The “dustpan” gear collector allowed Vulcan to pick up gears from the floor and place them onto the airship. On the programming side, the robot used a Nexus 5 for vision tracking giving Vulcan the ability to track the high efficiency boiler at almost any angle. With Vulcan, the Friarbots were able to reach the finals of the Los Angeles Regional, win the OC Regional, rank 2nd in the Hopper Division at the FIRST Championship, and reach the finals of Chezy Champs 2017.
2016 STRONGHOLD
2016 Robot - "Obsidian"
2015 Recycle Rush
2015 Robot - “Aris-tote-le”
2015 tested the mechanical ingenuity of the Friarbots in order to devise a mechanism designed to stack plastic totes scattered around the field.
2014 Aerial Assist
2014 Robot- “Gateway”
2014 required intense teamwork as the robots passed a large exercise ball back and forth and into a 7ft goal.
2013 Ultimate Ascent
2013 Robot- “Ed”
2013 represented the greatest engineering effort for the Friarbots to date. Our 2013 robot was named in honor of Servite priest Father Ed Penonzek who passed away in March. Ed featured a 50 point climb-and-dump system that allowed us to win the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors at the Los Angeles Regional and the Innovation in Control Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation at the Las Vegas Regional. Our robot played all aspects of the game, including autonomous scoring from the back of the pyramid, tele-op cycle-shooting, climbing to the top level of the pyramid, and dumping into the pyramid goal. We reached the Los Angeles semi-finals as the #1 overall pick and Las Vegas as the #4 alliance captain.
2012 Rebound Rumble
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2012 Robot- “H.O.O.P.S”
2012 was a year of major improvement for the Friarbots. This year’s game, Rebound Rumble, required a robot to get styrofoam basketballs though hoops in addition to crossing a bump or bridge in the middle of the field. The team continued its use of mecanum wheels in this year’s competition. Pneumatics were used on the robot’s bridge deployer. The scoring mechanisms consisted of a conveyor up the middle of the robot and a shooter, placed on a turret, at the top of the robot. This season’s robot participated in the Los Angeles Regional (Semi-Finalists), the Central Valley Regional (Finalists), and the SCRFF Off-Season Classic (Finalists).
2011 Logomotion
2011 Robot- “Juliana”
2011 was Team 3309’s sophomore attempt in the FIRST Robotics Competition. In this year’s game, Logomotion, the team used CAD to design its first fully sheet metal sheet chassis. The robot, named Juliana, used a motor-driven arm to grab and lift Logomotion pieces onto scoring pegs. This was Team 3309’s first year using Mecanum Drive (8″). The robot also featured pneumatics on its minibot-deployment system. The minibot, named the Kraken, was fully mechanised and used a magnet to grip the pole. This season’s robot participated in the Los Angeles Regional.
2010 Breakaway
2010 Robot- “Colunga”
In 2010, our rookie year in FIRST Robotics, Team 3309 acquired the foundation and ideas which lead to its current status. The 2010 game,Breakaway, was similar to soccer. For the game, the Team used FIRST-provided C-Channels for the chassis and a sheet metal with plexiglass cover. The robot used a tank drive system consisting of 4 wheels mounted at the corners and had a basic autonomous program with a fully functioning teloperated program. This season’s robot participated in the Los Angeles Regional.
