The F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition at Great Plains Technology Center started with fundraising.  The basic kit of parts cost $6000. While there are travel expenses, team resources, and other equipment needed for building a robot, Pre-Engineering Program Supervisor, Mrs. Karen Bailey, visits with Mr. Kenneth Bridges, representative for the McMahon Foundation in Lawton, OK about possible funding for the team.

McMahon Foundation is now one of the major financial sponsors of the Great Plains Technology Center's robotics team. Aside from this sponsor, Mrs. Bailey has procurred numerous other financial, material and in-kind sponsors such as Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Multi-County Counseling Inc., AEP, Comanche Home Center, Wicker Construction Co., Inc., NASA, Indiahoma High School, Great Plains Foundation and Chick-Fil-A.

Picture above from left to right, Tom Thomas-Tech Center Asst. Superintendent, Jim Nesbitt-Tech Center Superintendent, and Kenneth Bridges-Chairman of McMahon Foundation as they listen to details about the F.I.R.S.T. program and competition.  

"Robots Help with Learning at Tech Center"

Lawton Constitution

Lawton, OK, December 4, 2007

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad visited the Great Plains Technology Center's Pre-Engineering Program to demonstrate their high-tech robots.  "The robot lessons were more than just fun and games.  The troopers were giving them an introductory lesson in robotics that they will soon be putting to practical use when they start building a robot for the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics competition that will be held in OK City next March."

"Great Plains Technology Center is one of the 15 OK schools that received a $6000 grant from NASA to help them compete in the tournament, which is the first of its kind in the state. "  

Oklahoma Regional F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Kick-Off

Stillwater, OK, January 5, 2008

On January 4th, three school vans and a pick-up/trailer transported the entire Robotics team of Great Plains Technology Center to Stillwater, OK in anticipation of the F.I.R.S.T. Kick-Off.   The team stayed in university housing overnight.  For some students this was their first experience on a college campus, especially the concept of co-ed dormitories.  Shortly after midnight, all the students were tucked in safely for the night.  

Bright and early the morning of the 5th, the Southern Riot gang entered the Wes Watkins Center on the north side of Oklahoma State University's campus.  The video broadcast was projected on three large screens across the walls of the conference hall. The numerous Oklahoma teams were anxiously awaiting the announcement of the this year's F.I.R.S.T. "game".  For the F.I.R.S.T. in Oklahoma, this was a monumental moment.  It would be the first time that there were enough teams from Oklahoma to offer a regional site of competition.  The regional competition will be held in the Cox Convention Center, downtown Oklahoma City, OK. 

Veteran teams across Oklahoma stayed to help the rookie teams assemble the basics of their kits.  This really demonstrates the "gracious professionalism" among the Oklahoma teams participating in the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics competition, 2008.   

The F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition 2008 fulfills the national program's vision of bringing students to appreciate science, math and technology.  Ronnie Currey, a high school sophomore, was brought to the team meetings through the mentor Mr. Wood, the technology instructor at Indiahoma High School.  Not only will Ronnie be on the Great Plains Technology Center's F.I.R.S.T. Robotics team this year, but will be enrolling in the pre-engineering program next year as a high school junior.  The robotics competition has put Ronnie in touch with the high technology pre-engineering program at the local tech center and made this a win-win situation for the student, robotics team, and pre-engineering program.  

Southern Riot Team #2435 promotes OK Regional Competition at Great Plains Coliseum County Basketball Tournament

Lawton, OK, January 25-26, 2008

Members of the Southern Riot Team #2435 promoted the regional Oklahoma F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition at the Great Plains Coliseum.  Students made a promotional display and handed out brochures, which provided information about the regional competition of the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics and also their local pre-engineering program.  The coliseum was hosting the Comanche County High School Basketball Tournament. 

Southern Riot helped share their enthusiasm for science and technology by demonstrating small robots and providing information to the sports spectators.  This event was a two-fold success; it helped share the vision of F.I.R.S.T. and promote the Great Plains Technology Center's program.  

Southern Riot Team #2435 approaches fundraising with a high-tech flair.  The team has ordered little "Hex-Bugs" to sell for profit to benefit their travel expenses.  The battery-operated, robotic bugs have articulated legs which move the bug about.  The bug has antennae to sensor objects in it's path and upon collision signal the bot to move in another direction.  The fundraising has been so successful the team is ordering more.  For more information, contact the team's leader, Theresa Ensley at 580-250-5545.

Southern Riot Team #2435 promotes OK Regional Competition at OK Museum of Science during Women in Science Conference

Oklahoma City, OK, February 5, 2008

Oklahoma Museum of Science offers Women in Science Conference 2008; Southern Riot Team 2435 provided informational display and promoted the OKC Regional F.I.R.S.T. Competition to be held at the Cox Convention Center, March 20-22, 2008.  

Southern Riot Publicity Team designed and created the display palette.  The display recognized their many generous sponsors and drew attention to the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics logos and this year's game, F.I.R.S.T. Overdrive 2008.  Middle school students visiting the conference inquired about robotics and the pre-engineering programs offered by the technology centers in OK.  The publicity team provide