The LigerBots have won first place in the world-wide, FIRST Robotics, 2018 Safety Animation Award competition! Our winning video will be shown at many FIRST Robotics competitions to about half a million spectators over the 2018 season. These animated videos combine an educational message about safety with creative art and imagery. 

In order to follow the retro-1980s arcade theme of the 2018 FRC challenge we developed a story that combined safety principles with elements of our very own video game. We designed characters and scenery, and brought them to life with 3D animation. Finally, we added arcade style music and sound effects along with a voice-over narration by LigerBots team member Lasya to accompany the visuals.

According to LigerBots animator Vivek, the biggest challenge was fitting the story into only 40 seconds — the maximum video length according to the rules. Another challenge was the deadline, which forced us to make decisions fast and start the animation process as early as possible.

 “It took considerable work,” said Vivek, “but it was really gratifying. I’m excited about what it means for our team — standing out in the FIRST community. It got me thinking about STEM vs STEAM and how the “A” Art factor ties into the work we do.”

Co-head coach John Fitzpatrick said, “Safety is always a major team concern. We have had many dedicated students submit safety animation videos over our ten seasons in an effort to share our passion with the FIRST community. It is extremely gratifying that the students’ efforts have finally paid off.”

We are very excited to win this prestigious award and hope that our video will have a lasting impact on the community by encouraging safe practices.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to see this video and all the rest of our team videos.

The LigerBots have won first place in the world-wide, FIRST Robotics, 2018 Safety Animation Award competition! Our winning video will be shown at most FIRST Robotics competitions throughout the 2018 season. These animated videos combine an educational message about safety with creative art and imagery.We are very excited to win this prestigious award and hope that our video will have a lasting impact on the community by encouraging safe practices. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to see this video and all the rest of our team videos.

Last Saturday the LigerBots hosted the First Lego League (FLL) Eastern MA State Championship at Newton North High School. Forty-eight teams of elementary and middle school students came together to compete and also to present their real-world solutions to water based problems connected to the theme of this year’s FLL game, called “Hydro Dynamics.”  

Local businesses and organizations with hands on activities to share gathered in the main hall of Newton North to interact with the young engineers as a part of a maker fair. Exhibitors included Destination Imagination, Empow Studios, the Newton Free Library, iRobot, Nuvu, New England R2 Builders, Orimagi.io, Mass Bay Community College, the New Art Center, Johnson String Instrument, and Students for a Greener World. The LigerBots ran two maker fair tables, one with a 3D printer and another with “brushbot” artbotics. And of course, we let everyone drive our robot! 

In honor of opening weekend of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, we got a visit from a stormtrooper and an imperial officer who roamed the halls and posed for photos.

About 1000 people, including members of the general public that came to watch and tour the maker fair, participated in this STEM-filled day.

The FLL event ended on a good note after awards were given out in categories such as robot reliability, best teamwork, and best programming. Seven of the participating teams were from Newton. The Day Dragons, a team of four seventh graders from Day Middle School and two fifth graders from Pierce Elementary School, won the Champions’ Award, given to the team with the best robotics performance, presentation of research results, and display of core FLL values. A dance party on the competition floor was a fun end to our day.

The LigerBots have released our annual safety animation video and have entered it into a competition for the 2018 FIRST Safety Animation Award. (See full post to view video.) These animated videos combine an educational message about safety with creative art and imagery. In January, judges at FIRST will pick the year’s best entry from among many submitted by FRC teams from around the world, and the winning video will be shown at every FIRST Robotics competition.

In order to follow the retro-1980s arcade theme of the 2018 FRC challenge we developed a story that combined safety principles with elements of our very own video game. After designing characters and scenery, we brought them to life with 3D animation. Finally, we added arcade style music and sound effects along with a voice-over narration to accompany the visuals.

The biggest challenge was fitting the story into only 40 seconds–the maximum video length according to the rules. Another challenge was the deadline, which forced us to make decisions fast and start the animation process as early as possible.

We are very proud of our unique result. We hope that our video will be chosen by FIRST and that it will have a lasting impact on the community by encouraging safe practices.

This Saturday Dec. 16 from 9-4:30 the LigerBots will will host the FIRST LEGO League Eastern MA State Championship at Newton North High School! This year’s game called Hydro Dynamics has a water based theme. The top 600 competing Massachusetts students in grades 4-8 will use LEGO robots they designed, built, and programmed themselves to compete and earn points by performing complex tasks. Alongside the competition there will be a maker fair with hands-on STEAM activities from organizations as wide-ranging as Microsoft, iRobot, orimagi.io, Green Newton, Empow Studios, Destination Imagination, New England Droid builders, the Newton Free Library, and a long list of others for all ages. There will be opportunities to see, touch, and drive robots built by high school students! Admission is free so bring your family and spend the day!