Skip To Main Content
  • Activities
Shambots Embark on FIRST Competition

By Joseph Harrison ‘26, Spectrum Staff Writer

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC)  season kicked off in January, and the CC Shambots are moving into high gear.

Every year, teams must design a robot to complete the challenge developed by the FIRST organization. This year, teams will ally with two other partner teams and have their robots compete against three opposing teams. The two “alliances” will be playing to see who can score the most points in the 3-minute game.

The game begins with a 15-second “autonomous period” during which the robots must navigate without the driver's guidance and score points using pre-programmed instructions.

The drivers of each team must then assume control of their respective robots and attempt to score points in the next two minutes and fifteen seconds.

Finally, the match enters its 30-second “endgame phase” during which robots attempt to dock with their “charging station,” a sort of “seesaw” that robots must balance on.

Robots may earn points for their alliance by scoring either a cone or a cube on nodes located on their side of the field during the main part of the game. They can also earn points by balancing on the charging station at the end of the autonomous period as well as during the endgame phase.

This year, under the direction of new head coach Mr. Joe Lemieux, the Shambots are taking the challenge of this year's game in stride. They have isolated priorities for their strategy and ultimately settled on a double-jointed arm with a swiveling wrist on a rotating turret, theoretically capable of picking up a cone in any orientation. Due to the need to traverse the entire field to pick up cones or cubes, the team has designed the bot to be small and speedy.

The Shambots must complete their bot by February 22 (called “bag day”), when the robot will be “bagged,” meaning no more work can be made to change its design. Then, on February 25, they will have their first “week zero tournament,” an unofficial practice tournament that will allow the team to get a handle on the competition. On March 11, they will attend the Lansing qualifier and then in April, the Livonia qualifier.

Should they qualify at either competition, they will be invited to the state championship in Saginaw (April 6-8) and the winners there advance to nationals in Houston, Texas.

This article first appeared in the Vol. 89, No. 3 issue of the Detroit Catholic Central Spectrum

More News

  • Activities
Eagle Scout, OCIT Candidate Brennan Laing ‘23 On Cusp of US Olympics

Maintaining his #1 state ranking, Laing now continues onto the Junior Olympic National Championships this April at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He is on the cusp of being part of the US Olympic development team for shooting sports, with a chance to be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics for Team USA.

Read More about Eagle Scout, OCIT Candidate Brennan Laing ‘23 On Cusp of US Olympics
  • Activities
Max Stossel (Social Awakening) Speaks to Students about Social Media Pitfalls

Max Stossel spoke to Catholic Central students in an all-school assembly Monday about the pitfalls of social media. Stossel spoke specifically about how these apps are designed to be addictive and some of the negative ways that they can impact our self-image, relationships with friends, family, and those around us. 

Read More about Max Stossel (Social Awakening) Speaks to Students about Social Media Pitfalls
  • Activities
Evan Kinter ‘23 Earns Eagle Rank

Evan Kinter ‘23 achieved a major milestone recently by earning the distinguished Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. His accomplishment shows determination and dedication and  encompasses leadership skills, service to the community, and skill-building activities. Through this process, Evan has gained essential life skills needed to become successful as he goes through life. 

Read More about Evan Kinter ‘23 Earns Eagle Rank
  • Activities
  • Alumni
Pete Davis '95 Shares Insights on Business Leadership and Personal Growth

Detroit Catholic Central High School welcomed back alumnus Pete Davis '95, President & CEO of IMPACT Management Services, on Friday, March 17 as part of the school's DRIVE Development Day series. The series brings professional learning opportunities to students across grade levels to hone their leadership skills and gain real-world experience.

Read More about Pete Davis '95 Shares Insights on Business Leadership and Personal Growth