This week, the LigerBots had a special guest: city councillor Amy Mah Sangiolo, who is currently running for mayor of Newton. On Monday, she came to visit during a team meeting, where the LigerBots gave her an introduction to the team. We explained to the city councillor what the team is, what activities we do (including FIRST SteamWorks), and how our robot works. Councillor Sangiolo expressed support for the LigerBots and FIRST Robotics.

A LigerBot discusses the robot with Councillor Sangiolo

Last weekend, we demonstrated our 2016 robot at the Newton Festival of the Arts on the Newton Centre Green. Once again, we attracted a large crowd of children who were excited to be able to drive our robot. We also handed out flyers for the FLL Info Night the LigerBots will run at 7:00 p.m. on May 30 at Newton North High School for students in grades K-8 and their parents.

LigerBots help a child drive our 2016 robot

The postseason competition BattleCry is approaching this weekend, and the team is hard at work making sure our robot is in top shape. Among the recent adjustments we have made are the addition of pneumatic pistons and the removal of the front plate. This should make it easier to pick up and place the large, plastic gears used in the SteamWorks game without them getting stuck in the front plate.