The Wired Wizards
A community robotics team for grades 9-12. Each year the team will design, build and program a large robot that performs a given set of challenges. The team then competes against other robotics teams on a regional and national level. The season starts in September of each year (registration in August) and runs through mid-late April. If interested in learning more about this team, contact coach Ken Kelmer (ken@wiredwizards.org).
What Actually Happens On The Team?
Preseason (Fall Months)
Starts in early fall. Students go through safety protocols and tool training. Students can then decide if they would like to concentrate on specific team tasks (“Build”, “Programming” or “Marketing”).
Season Kickoff:
In early January, Robotics teams from across the nation gather in over 140 locations to watch a live online broadcast as the FIRST organization releases the current year competition theme, missions and rules. This “Big Reveal” marks the beginning of the build season whereby teams race over the next 6-8 weeks to create a robot that will compete in tournaments in March and April.
Postseason:
For those interested and still in town, we have informal social gatherings, outreach projects, marketing meetings (logo, T-shirt and video design) and more.
Beth Bacheldor
Head Coach
Greg Davis
Mentor, Computer Programming Lead
Corning
Robert Woodhead
Mentor, build lead
Beth Davis
Mentor
Head Coach (Mechanical Mages)
Ken Kelmer
Mentor, build
Past Head Coach
Corning
Meredith Menaker
Mentor, logistics
Tammy Hoffmann
Mentor
Tom Straka
Mentor, build
We would like to give great thanks to our previous mentors and volunteers!
Greg Uhl: Mentor
Jen Smith: Mentor, travel and logistics lead
Lloyd Smith: Mentor
John Thomas: Mentor
Dr. Jim Harris: Mentor
Dr. Steve Klein: Mentor
That’s OK! The goal of this program is to show students how fun STEM can be and how it can be applied in every-day life. Additionally, many of the students choose to focus on the marketing side of the team (team logo design, video production and editing, business plan development).
The yearly registration fee in 2019 was $300.
If traveling with the team for competitions, you would be expected to bring money for food, hotel or any souvenirs you would like to buy.
No. Traveling with the team is encouraged but we realize students often have other responsibilities and scheduling conflicts.
Java (primarily) and Arduino to a lesser degree.
No. In the beginning of the season, students undergo safety and tool orientation and instruction.
.
.
.
.
.