Robots. Don't. Quit.
Robots. Don't. Quit.
The IRS
The Issaquah Robotics Society, nicknamed the "IRS", is a robotics team based out of Issaquah High School, located in Washington state. We are registered as FRC team number 1318 with FIRST, whose mission is to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathemtaics. The IRS was founded in 2003 and has been doing F • D (work) and building robots ever since.
Learning
We teach students in three main subteams: fabrication, electrical, and programming. Students get to pursue whichever of these they like during Fall classes, which range from mid-September to our first winter break in December.
Learning
We teach students in three main subteams: fabrication, electrical, and programming. Students get to pursue whichever of these they like during Fall classes, which range from mid-September to our first winter break in December.
For our team, the year has different seasons: training, build, competition, and off. During each one of these student members pursue different tasks. During the fall training season, veterans partner with mentors to teach rookie members. Build season is where these varied skills get applied. Our robot competes at locations all across the states during competition season. Here, members delve into robot strategy, data analysis, maintenance, presentations, and robot driving. Finally, during off-season is when the team pursues new, exploratory projects without the stress of build season. Though robotics is year-round, we'd never expect you to be at every single meeting.
Besides technical tasks, we have non-technical positions from business skills to technical writing. Besides robot building, we do community outreach and write and present for awards. Anyone can join our team and we try to get everyone work to do. Running a robotics team on this scale is like running a business. This means that besides our main three technical subteams, we have business and media divisions as well. Those are tasks members can take on along with one of the main three subteams. We adapt every year to improve training and to make sure everyone finds a place on the team. This has contributed to both a growing member count and sustainability.
Building
We're not only building robots but the skills required for the process. In addition, we set out to work with other teams in the area to build relationships with them and our surrounding community.
Building
We're not only building robots but the skills required for the process. In addition, we set out to work with other teams in the area to build relationships with them and our surrounding community.
The Sub-teams
Fabrication
From working with power tools to creating scale 3D models in CAD, this subteam is behind the mechanisms and assembly of our robots. While everyone in the team helps with prototypes, these folks know mechanical design, and will be behind the final robot after stepping through the engineering process.
Electronics
A robot wouldn't be very useful without a control system, and our electronics subteam specializes in that. From stripping wires to soldering, they make sure our microcontroller, or computer, is able to control our motors and pneumatics. Their robust circuit boards allow us to move the robot precisely.
Programming
This subteam makes sure that we can actually control the robot. Working with Java and the WPI Robotics Library, they make our robot function under both human and autonomous control. In addition to programming joystick controls, they also delve into vision processing and app development.
IRS members in the pits at competition
The 2015-2016 drive team
Inspiring
From Taking FIRST To The Streets to obtaining funding for Washington state teams.
Inspiring
From Taking FIRST To The Streets to obtaining funding for Washington state teams.
The Issaquah Robotics Society is always up and about in the community. Team 1318 is not just at science fairs, but also where FIRST usually isn't seen: countless art walks and community events like Salmon Days. 1318 is Taking FIRST to the Streets. That isn't all, though, as it's trained other teams and joins teams and the Issaquah Robotics Alliance at outreach events. The IRS helps and inspires dozens of other robotics teams, whether they work with Lego or sheet metal. It also obtained funding for all Washington state FIRST teams from Olympia back in 2007, retaining interest. Recently, Team 1318 started the ART Project (audit, respond, and teach) aimed at mentoring teams, community service, and event volunteering. We accept community requests and have assisted in numerous odd-job projects.