Directions to Hunterdon Central

From South Jersey: Routes 295, 195, or 95 to Route 31 North. This will take you to the Flemington 202-31 Circle. Follow Route 31 North (2nd exit from the circle) and proceed to the 3rd traffic light at Junction Road. (You will pass one entrance to the high school on your right, prior to coming to the Junction Road turn.) Turn right at this light. Make the first right  into school parking lot. Parking is between Tennis Courts and IMC.

From North Jersey: Route 80 West to Route 287 South to the Somerville Circle. Follow signs for Route 202 South to Flemington. At the Flemington 202-31 Circle take the 1st exit off the circle onto Route 31 North. Proceed to the 3rd traffic light at Junction Road. (You will pass one entrance to the high school on your right, prior to coming to the Junction Road turn.) Turn right at this light.Make the first right  into school parking lot. Parking is between Tennis Courts and IMC.

From Garden State Parkway/Route 31 North: Take Route 78 across the state to Route 31 in Clinton, NJ. Watch closely for Route 31 South and travel towards Flemington. Pass Hunterdon Medical Center (on right). … More

FLL Junior Expo 2018 Photo Album

In December 2018, Team 3637 was proud to host its 2nd annual FLL Jr. Hunterdon Holiday Expo.  Seventeen enthusiastic FLL Jr. teams registered to proudly demonstrate and present their approaches to the “Mission Moon” challenge.  Team 3637 sponsored two of those teams!

For information on our Expo or on starting your own team, email us at [email protected].

 

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Drivetrain Subteam

The Drivetrain Subteam is responsible for the Robot’s drivetrain.  Their design must allow the Robot to move about the competition arena, including over varied terrain and while performing different functions.  The Drivetrain Subteam must coordinate with the Programming Subteam, which writes code that allows the Robot to be remotely controlled. … More

Part Selection

Part selection is an important part of Team 3637’s work.  Competition rules include restrictions on the total cost of the robot as well as its weight.  Team 3637 must carefully select parts for its robot to meet design criteria while not exceeding competition restrictions.  

Adjustments are made along the way, as the Team only has 6 weeks to strategize, design, build, program, and test its Robot.  

Team 3637 is more than just the build.  It’s Business and Outreach Team tracks spending, among many other important administrative tasks.

With 60 people on the team and the clock ticking, Team 3637 relies upon subteam delegation and communication to bring all its “moving parts” together in time for competition.  … More

We’re Back!

Now that maintenance on the website is done, it is good to be back! The Daleks have had a busy preseason. We attended the off-season event, Brunswick Eruption. This is a great event to get our new members excited about FIRST and to teach them how to scout. After a long day of competition, we came in second place! The rest of preseason was dedicated to teaching the new members about the tools, building, safety, electrical work, and programming. We also continued our work with our two FLL teams. Our student mentors lead the teams, one of which went to the state competitions for the third year in a row. This year we also started two FLL Jr. teams and ran a FLL Jr. expo for teams across the state to present their creations to reviewers and other teams. We also participated in the Hunterdon County 4H Fair and Community Day where we displayed our robot and let the community interact with it. In addition to our other outreach events, we planned and held a STEM event for Girl Scouts. There were activities such as oobleck making, boat creation, VEX robot driving, and mini-robot building. On January 9th, the team … More

District Events 2017

The six weeks flew by and before the Daleks knew it, it was time for the Bridgewater-Raritan District Competition. From cheering, to Chairman’s Award presentations, to scouting, to robot tune-ups, the day was filled with fun and passed before the team realized it. We finished in 22nd place and it was time for alliance selections. We were chosen by Alliance 6 and joined Team 747 and Team 219. Together we scored the high score for the day of 360! With great teamwork we made it to the finals but lost in a difficult match against the first seed alliance. We would like to thank our alliance members for helping us get that far and for a really fun competition experience! The time for awards rolled around and we were presented with the Finalist Award and Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox for our unique climbing mechanism! We are honored to have won our first engineering award. Also, our advisor Mr. M was awarded the Donald Bowers Inspiration Award for being an individual who instills the values of FIRST within their team. We are so proud!

A week later the team hopped on a bus to the Montgomery District Event. As always … More

STEAMWORKS Kickoff 2017

Kickoff is like a robotics team’s Christmas. On January 7th, the Daleks gathered close in the early hours of the morning, some still in their pajamas, for the day we’d all been waiting for. The build room was our living room, the projection screen our Christmas tree, and as for the gifts, there was only one- but one was all we wanted. The task reveal for STEAMWORKS, the FRC challenge for 2017, was only moments away. While others sang along to the music parodies other teams had submitted, a small group of members lined up for a picture with our team’s photographer. These members were responsible for the Daleks’ 2017 Safety Animation, which had just been awarded runner-up recognition for the FIRST Safety Animation Award. As congratulations went around, the lights dimmed, and the voices of the FIRST directors filled the room. After a brief introduction, the task reveal was broadcasted to the viewers. The teams would build a robot to fuel an airship through high goals, low goals, gear placement, and rope climbing. Our eyes went wide as we discovered that the human player, for the first time ever, would be a live participant in earning points during the … More

Community Outreach

While most robots are in sleep mode post-competition season, the same can’t be said for Team 3637. When we aren’t exterminating our obstacles and challenges, we can be easily found out and about in Hunterdon County. Our most recent expeditions brought us to the 4-H Fair, Community Day, and the Hunterdon Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Home Expo.

In the midst of the August summer’s haze, The Daleks ventured out, Hexcalibur in tow, to the 4-H fair. We were given an area to set up, which we filled with a simulated match courtyard, the robot, and various informational items about the team, such as pamphlets and buttons. As people flooded in, children were beckoned towards our area, invited to play a game of catch with Hexcalibur as it showed off its maneuvers on different types of terrain. In the meantime, several members discussed the team with parents in regard to events, goals, our mission, and competitions, while others introduced the group to potential sponsors. Though the sun made us sizzle, we couldn’t have had a better time, and went home feeling satisfied all four days of the splendid event.

A few weeks later, Raritan Township Community Day rolled around, as … More

Brunswick Eruption 2016

The team poured in, bright but bleary-eyed, at approximately 8 a.m., and opening ceremonies were kicked off by the national anthem not twenty minutes later. We snapped our heads towards the game schedule and found we were immediately engaged, scheduled to compete in the first qualifying match of the day. At 9 a.m., Hexcalibur had emerged from hibernation and taken its stance on the field, decked in red alliance bumpers and blinking reverently. The timer sounded, and in a flash, our alliance was victorious 72-60, but the drivers hurried to escort the robot back into the pit. Upon inquiring with the chiefs, it was found that Hexcalibur’s swiss was not functioning during the round, despite a splendid performance. Further inspection revealed that a sensor was loose in the snowblower motor, and was hastily repaired. Even so, we suffered defeat in the following two matches, but returned triumphant in the fourth and fifth, finishing the qualifying games in 6th place, making us alliance captains for the elimination rounds to come.

From the 41 participating teams, we selected our gracious hosts, Team 25, Raider Robotix, and Team 533, The PSIcotics, to ally with us in the upcoming matches. Before the games began, … More

Postseason Projects

Although the robotics season has ended, the Daleks have had a busy couple of months. Once again, Team 3637 participated in Hunterdon Central’s annual Family Science Night to open the minds of children and adults to how awesome science really is. Hexcalibur made an appearance there as well as at Central’s STEAM showcase, where people and organizations displayed their creations to the public.

In May, The Daleks also participated in Relay For Life, an event that raises money and awareness for cancer research. This year we were again a “Rising Star Team,” recognized for raising over $1,000 to EXTERMINATE cancer.

Team 3637 will hold a “boot camp” for our FLL teams in August, and we look forward to another great season with our youngest local FIRST participants.… More

FIRST® Championships

Even after the 15 hour bus ride from Flemington, New Jersey to Saint Louis, Missouri, the Daleks were filled to the brim with excitement. After getting cleaned up the team went to the Edward Jones Dome to set up their pit and start the day of competition in the Galileo division.

The Daleks all enjoyed meeting new people from all over the world. There were teams from all over the US  and Brazil, Australia, Israel, and many others. The team had tons of fun in and out of the competition. When they weren’t competing, team members went to workshops on leadership, diversity in FIRST® robotics, automated driving, scouting strategies and more. They also went to the Innovation Fair to see new technology and demonstrations. During downtime, the Daleks went to the top of the Gateway Arch, the City Museum, and Six Flags. The competition was intense, and although the Daleks didn’t make it past the qualification matches, Team 3637 were proud to have made it as far as they did. The Daleks even won a UL© Hard Hat award for safety given to only three teams in the Galileo and Carson divisions. The closing ceremonies were awesome with Dean … More

Mid-Atlantic Championship

After a successful season in Team 3637’s district events, the Daleks were filled with enthusiasm and spirit heading to the Mid-Atlantic Regional competition. Lehigh University was packed with students ready for a fun and action-packed day of robotics!

As always, the qualification matches were intense, but fun nonetheless. In between matches, the Daleks met new people and collected buttons from the other teams attending. Team 3637 won the UL© Hard Hat award for the top three safest teams of the day and our safety captain, Laura, was presented the UL© Safety Star of the Day! We also passed around our sheets of “Tear-able Puns” and some of them were even announced by the MC during alliance selections. After sitting through a nail-biting alliance selection, the Daleks ultimately were not picked to join an alliance and continue into the quarter-finals.

The Daleks still stayed in good spirits. When the award ceremonies rolled around, Team 3637 was once again filled with anticipation. The Daleks were honored once again with the Industrial Safety Award sponsored by UL©!

Team 3637 had a great competition season, and will continue at Saint Louis for the World Competition!… More

Montgomery District Competition 2016

The time for Team 3637’s final district competition for the 2015-16 season had arrived. The Daleks were focused and determined to make this competition a great one. The Daleks were prepped for the exciting day ahead of them.

As at all FIRST® events, the competition was fierce. Overall, the Daleks placed 2nd in the standings after the qualification matches, an all time high for the team! Later that afternoon, the Daleks, becoming the alliance captain, were joined by Team 869, PowerCord and Team 272, Cyber Crusaders. The Daleks had a blast working with these teams and cheering in the stands with them. But after a rough best 2 out of 3 competition, the Daleks and their allies were eliminated in the semi-finals. Team 3637 is proud to have made it as far as we did and we could not have done it without the help of our alliance partners.

Although the Daleks were eliminated from the competition, the day was not over yet! Earlier in the day, Team 3637 won the UL© Pit Safety award which we were elected for by our fellow teams. We also received the UL© Hard Hat award for the top three safest teams of the … More

Mount Olive District Competition 05-06/03/16

Early in the morning, the Daleks filed onto the bus filled with excitement despite their fatigue. Mount Olive High School was filled with exuberant students ready for a day of learning and fun! The opening ceremonies built the anticipation for the upcoming matches and at the end of the ceremonies, a special guest made a speech. Who is this special guest you ask? Why non-other than the president of FIRST®, Don Bossi! The team was thrilled to see him and a few of our members even got to talk with him.

The Daleks worked hard and it paid off! At certain points throughout the game we were even ranked #1 out of all 39 teams that attended the competition. By the end of the qualification matches, Team 3637 ranked #3! Never in Dalek history have we made it in the top 8 teams, until now! We were chosen by the #1 ranked team, Team 56 R.O.B.B.E. and Team 613, the NeoWarriors joined us later! The Daleks were ecstatic to be able to work with two great teams and hope to work with them again in the future. In the quarter-finals, Team 3637 and their allies worked diligently and were filled … More

Stop Build Day

The highly anticipated day has finally arrived. Stop Build Day.

Starting right after school and ending at 9 p.m., the Daleks made the finishing touches on the robot. For the last time before bagging it, the drivers completed all of the defenses, confirming that our robot is competition ready. We also practiced shooting on the low and the high goal of the tower. The BOT team has finished our Chairman’s Award video for the competition and is continuing to make posters and other spirit related things to make our team shine!

Team 3637 is ready to begin our FIRST® STRONGHOLD™ Quest!… More

Outreach and Robot Updates

February is the busiest month for a Dalek. Robot building and community outreach is abundant.

This past Saturday, the Daleks had a LED light bulb sale to promote low energy consumption and to help the environment, every step counts. The team sold the light bulbs at a local farmer’s market and were very successful selling over half of our supply.

Recently, FRC Team 303 graciously invited us to use their practice field to test our robot. There we practiced our driving and tested our boulder shooter. We are very grateful that Test Team invited us to practice because it was a great learning experience and a chance to make new friends.

The Daleks have been working hard and prepping for the 23rd of February!… More

February 2016 Updates

This has been a busy and productive month for the Daleks!

The Electrical Team has been working nonstop and has finished all of the electrical work for the robot. The Mechanical Team has made big steps in completing the boulder shooter, which will be a key part in our success in the competitions. They have also completed the mechanism to get through all the Category A defenses. The Business Team has also been working constantly and has finished their submissions for the Chairman and Entrepreneurship  Awards! They are continuing to film and perfect the video for Chairman’s award.

The Daleks are putting in their utmost effort until the Stop-Build day arrives.… More

January 2016 Updates

The post-kickoff rush has settled down and the team is a smooth-running machine. The sub-teams are hard at work making sure to do all they can for the team. They are working even harder than usual due to us missing a few build days because of the snow.

The Mechanical Team has finished prototyping and completed their final design. They are starting to integrate the subsystems and build the final bot’s frame. The Business Team is adding the final touches to the business plan and continuing to write applications for awards. Our artist finished and published the teams first ever safety animation! This is an amazing milestone for the Daleks! She is also starting the design for this years’ t-shirt, which is heavily anticipated by all the the team members.

As stop-build day inches closer and closer, the team’s excitement is growing and growing. The Daleks can’t wait to see how this season unfolds.… More

Kickoff 2016

The day finally arrived. The most important day of the year. Kickoff.

The entire team huddled into the mechanical room and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. Then, it was time. The video started and the room went silent. Everyone intently watched the game rules with “ooooo’s” and “ahhhh’s.” For those who don’t know, this years game is FIRST STRONGHOLD. On each side of the field there are towers which the opposite alliance must “knock down” by getting boulders (foam balls) through the top or bottom goal. In between are defenses to make it more difficult to get through each side. There are a total of nine different defenses in total, eight of which will be randomized every round.

The Daleks have gone into full gear! The Mechanical Team has begun to prototype designs for the robot after the multiple strategy sessions to decide what route we will follow in the game. The Business Team is finishing up applications for awards while our artist is making the finishing touches on our safety animation.

We are incredibly excited for the new season and can’t wait to see where our quest leads us!… More

December Updates

The pace is picking up as January 9th comes closer and closer. The Daleks are heavily anticipating the upcoming kick-off event and making sure the team is as prepared as we can be before the challenge is announced.

The Business Team has been planning future outreach events and drafting award applications. Our artist has also been sketching a new team logo in preparation for team merchandise and, with help from other team members, writing a script for the 2016 FIRST Safety Animation. She is working diligently to complete the animations to the utmost quality. The Mechanical Team has been sorting parts to make sure everything is organized and easy to access for build season. They have also been building cabinets to help in the organization process. While the Electrical Team has been busy wiring the circuit board, the Programming Team has been learning how to push code to the robot.

The Daleks are rapidly preparing for kick-off and are excited for the upcoming season!… More

Brunswick Eruption 2015

The most wonderful time of the year just passed. No, I’m not talking about Christmas, I’m talking about Brunswick Eruption of course! The off-season event, Brunswick Eruption, was our last competition of the Recycle Rush challenge. The day started at 7 in the morning and the team members were excited despite their fatigue. We started out the qualification matches with our new drivers to help get them prepared for the upcoming season.

Thirty-eight teams showed up, making the entire morning consist of practice and qualification matches. As part of tradition, in the afternoon, one representative from each team went in the middle of the school gym to compete in the “Evil Sundae” challenge. The Evil Sundae is a bit of ice cream with some other ingredients. This year the other ingredients included wasabi, sriracha sauce, hot dogs, chicken hearts, and other things that complement ice cream very nicely. You have to finish this sundae before anyone else. Our representative couldn’t finish it, and we don’t blame him.

Next, the alliance selections took place. We were excited to be picked by the third alliance! Our team members were Team 303, TEST Team, and Team 1923, The MidKnight Inventors. We made it … More

Moving Along

The first meeting with all members, new and old, took place last week.  The night started with a safety presentation and then the new members split into separate groups based on their interests. Workshops for each of the sub-teams gave a briefing on what each team is required to do.  They were run by student mentors and previous years members.

The Business team went over finances, the business plan, graphic design and the ever-important task of button making. The Programming team discussed what previous knowledge the new members had in programming and started teaching C++. The Mechanical team started building a chassis and teaching more safety around power tools. Lastly, the Electric team took electrical pieces from last seasons secondary robot and are putting them onto a new board.

The Daleks are incredibly grateful for the fantastic turnout on the first meeting and are excited to see what comes this season.… More

Pre-Season Update

The Daleks had a relaxing summer but are excited to be back at the grind! The Daleks had their first meeting for returning members last week and are looking forward to the new member meeting on September 24th. We have around 30 new members joining us this season! We can’t wait to see what ideas they bring to share and what we can learn from one another.

The team is planning outreach programs for the season to stay active in the community. Over the break, we have started two FLL (First® LEGO® League) teams, one for fifth and sixth graders and another for seventh and eighth graders. Along with that, we are continuing to volunteer at the Barley Sheaf Elementary School LEGO Club. The team is excited for the upcoming season and all of the fun that comes with it.… More

MAR Championships 2015

For the first time since 2012, the Daleks made it to the Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championships!

Having completed our second MAR District event in week three, all we could do was wait. Thankfully, at 45th place out of 121 teams, we qualified to go to Championships at Lehigh. We were very excited and eager to make an impression.

As 45th out of 55 qualifying teams, we tried to keep our expectations modest, since we knew our competition would be the best of the best in the region. However, we were still hoping for a repeat of the great successes we had achieved in our previous events. We had already seen that we had the potential for it.

On Thursday, the first day, we had 2 practice matches and just one elimination match. Our alliance scored 100 points, and we were thrilled! Although we would later see that such scores were typical, our spirits–just like the match scores–were raised as we saw the great things we could accomplish.

Friday and Saturday saw some intense competition from every team. We proved ourselves as a versatile robot, capable of building gray stacks as well as completing co-op, pulling recycling cans from the center … More

Springside Chestnut Hill Competition 3/13/15-3/14/15

Our second competition was at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and it sure was exciting!

A few of us went down on Thursday to set up the pit, and on Friday, the matches began. Our robot performed very well, but that was far from our only accomplishment. We also made great use of our new electronic scouting system, allowing our scouts to push data to a pair of tablets that our strategists use in the pits. Our spirit team (including a dancing Dalek) also worked hard, both in the stands and the pits. Watch one of our favorite matches below:

The second day (Saturday) was just as fun as Friday, and Dalek morale was high. Other teams seemed to enjoy our special Pi Day buttons as much as we enjoyed the high scores that we and our alliance members were achieving. At the end of the qualification matches, we were in 13th place, and we were picked by Team 484 and Team 321 for the 8th-seeded alliance. Together, we reached second place in the quarterfinals, but we were knocked out in the semifinals. Nonetheless, we were all extremely proud of our performance, because despite not making it as far, all aspects … More