*** Please note the date change from January to February Due to COVID. ***
MTRAS Bot Competitions for Engineering Day!
For the January Workshop, we will host a MTRAS Group Build! This kit will be used for competitions such as sumo battles, line following and quick trip competitions during the February Engineering Day event.
Bot Details
We've incorporated an Arduino Nano due to it's small size, yet big I/O count. With the addition of a Breakout board, all pins are easily accessible and Servo-friendly. We ditched standard batteries and opted for a 5000mAh Power Bank which includes a USB charging cable and power LED status. The USB cable doubles as the programming cable. Two Continuous Rotation servos for drive to get builders rolling quickly and easily. A small breadboard allows you to quickly and easily prototype. 3mm Holes line the perimeter of the board to allow you to add components. The initial kit will come with a line following board for an upcoming line following competition.
Members will have the option to pick what color frame, breadboard and wheels they want. Note we have limited quantities so you'll be asked a second color choice just in case.
We are selling the kit AT COST. Actually we're losing money if you factor in the time it takes to design, build a curriculum, make the parts (3D printing, Laser cutting etc) and kit it all together. The kit costs $34.99 plus 1ยข for s/h . We realize that it's not the cheapest kit out there, but we put an emphasis on coming up with something easy to build and expandable that doesn't take days to put together. In fact, this kit should take less than an hour to get moving.
Reserve Ordering
Limited quantity! While we have the means to build more, we are capping the first run at 10. This gives us a manageable number of participants to plan a thorough workshop.
Cutoff is Friday, February 17th.
We build Saturday February 19th during our workshop time. Please, if you purchase a kit make sure you can make the Workshop. There will be more kits available as we plan new workshops so don't worry if you can't make this one.
Payment
You can pay using the following three methods. When paying through these services, the person you're sending to is listed below as well.
Google Pay (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Venmo - @Patrick-Becker-23
MTRAS sign in procedures - PLEASE READ
Please Note! - The ASC is requiring kids 12 and under to wear a mask inside the center. They are also encouraging everyone to wear a mask but 13+ are not required.
As you approach the science center, please use the entrance doors on the right side. When you enter the lobby look for the sign-in table, which will have a MTRAS flyer attached, on your right (near the security station).
You will sign in as you have in the past but will be given a wrist band specific for MTRAS members, and then you may go to the Yellow Classroom (2nd floor, in the Body Quest area). You MUST have a wristband to attend MTRAS meetings and afternoon workshops, and we encourage you to re-use your meeting wristband for the workshop.
Please message the organizers if you have any questions.
MTRAS Membership
MTRAS is an all volunteer effort and as such, we depend on the generosity of our members who devote their time to help forward our mission of advancing interest and education in the field of robotics. First and foremost, we hope each of our members enjoy and share our community. If you regularly attend meetings and would like to participate more, then please consider the following additional ways you can contribute to the group.
- Show and Tell - Bring your projects, even if they aren't complete, for show and tell during the monthly meetings. Others will likely learn from your work and might also be able to help you with yours.
- Host a Workshop - Have a talent with a particular subject and would like to share some tips and how-to advice with others? Please CONTACT US with your workshop ideas!
- Help Out with an Event - Throughout the year our group will participate in area events and presentations. Please see this area for Volunteer Opportunities.
There are only two requirements for being a member of the Middle Tennessee Robotic Arts Society:
- Interest - you need to have an interest in robotics. Interest does not equal proficient.
- Participation - you should participate in the group. Members do not have to attend the meetings to be members but we certainly encourage your attendance. Many of our members do not live close to our meeting place and choose to interact with others online through one of our social media accounts.
We are a come as you are, no experience necessary group. While our focus is on robotics, we love making all sorts of things and our members have a wide range of experience from none to professional. Our only real requirement is that visitors and members have an interest in robotics, electronics, mechanics, programming, and / or some other maker talent.
No. There are no fees or dues to be a member as we are all volunteer. When attending the MTRAS meetings you do not have to pay to get into the Science Center as long as you are only attending our meetings and workshops. However, if you do visit the rest of the Center after the meetings, we ask that you pay for admission since they are a great non-profit who are generously donating space for our meetings.
***NOTE: When attending meetings, please sign in and get an arm band from a small table to the right as you enter enter the Science Center.
Yes! We have several younger Makers as members ranging from 7 up. For younger children (under 14) we ask that you attend with them for safety.
We recommend that anyone with children interested in the subject attend our next meeting to see if we are a good fit for you. All you would need to bring is curiosity.
Our monthly meetings follow the format below. On occasion, we will deviate from this format but only if our meetings coincide with another event. In those cases, our meetings may be cancelled or the location altered. We will update our website and social media accounts with upcoming meeting information.
- Pre-Meeting Networking and Project Setup - The first 15 minutes of our meeting time is for networking and prep time for those who bring show and tell items.
- Welcome / Announcements - We begin each meeting with announcements of upcoming events, group projects if any and other local related interests. We also invite members to share any other local events that may not have been covered.
- Show and Tell - Members can use this time to present both completed and in-progress projects to the group. Usually after each presentation there is a short Q & A with the presenter.
- Workshop Description - If we are conducting an afternoon workshop, we will describe it as a reminder before we break for networking and lunch.
- Networking - If time remains before we break for lunch, everyone is encouraged to talk to other members about their projects, ask questions or just get to know each other.
NOTE: Please take see our Events Page to see if we have a workshop scheduled. Since the pandemic begain, we have moved most of our workshops and non-meeting events online.
Our afternoon workshop time has no set format and can include the following. It is also possible that we will not hold a workshop. Please check our website calendar and Meetup page for workshop details.
- Formal Workshop Training - Some of our members volunteer their time and knowledge to help others by hosting a training workshop. These can be one day events or span multiple workshops and can range in topics.
- Group Projects - If the group doesn't have a formal workshop scheduled, we will often use the workshop time to work on group projects.
- Freeform Project Work - If there are no workshops or group projects we may leave the room available for independent work and networking.
MTRAS Bot Competitions for Engineering Day!