In 2001, Mukwonago High School school-to-work coordinator Mark Blodgett heard about FIRST Robotics and wanted to bring it to the school. With the help of a few teachers and an engineer from the yellow pages, Team 930 was born.
2004: Working on the Robot
Then known as the Mukwonago Masters of Machinery, or M3, the team successfully garnered Regional Finalist awards in 2003 and 2007 and a Regional Champion Award in 2004.
In 2008 under new mentorship, Team 930, now called the Mukwonago B.E.A.R.s (Building Extremely Awesome Robots) started fresh with 10 rookie team members and only one member with any experience in FIRST robotics. As the rookie team that wasn’t, 2008 was a year of learning and rebuilding. From learning the basics of working with power tools to mastering the complexity of electrical engineering, wiring and computer programming, the team wowed the competition at the Wisconsin Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, finishing seventh out of 60 teams and proving its robot, Ursa Major as one of the fastest lap bots in the United States.
The B.E.A.R.s entered 2009 and the Lunacy challenge full of excitement and anticipation as the team tackled concepts and complexity that would test their endurance and determination, while illustrating the strength of the team. With the opportunity to compete at National Competition with Mare Crisium, Team 930 absorbed the atmosphere and experience that engulfs a competition of such caliber and came home wiser and ready to expand their expertise.
The team spends its off-season time talking to community groups, making public appearances and spreading the word and mission of FIRST throughout the Mukwonago area, forming partnerships with other organizations whenever possible. With several rookies joining, the team has nearly doubled in the last couple of years.
Our Flag at the Wisconsin Regional
With 20 team members on the team, the B.E.A.R.s began the 2010 Breakaway season in high spirits. They adapted well to the use of many new things such as pneumatics, mecanum wheels, and Java programming. Going back to focusing on a single task, the team set out on making a defensive robot. Deemed Munitio, latin for “the defender”, their robot did just that, becoming known as the best defensive robot at the Wisconsin Regional. This fame and recognition proved useful when the team were picked to be on an alliance. Although they did not make it past the quarter-finals, the B.E.A.R.s had an amazing season together, accomplishing their goal to make a great robot.
The 2011 season started off extremely well. 21 members converged on WCTC ready to start a new year, and that they did. Led with almost all new sub-team leads, the team has switched backed to LabVIEW-styled programming, is exploring new, more complicated mechanical issues, and designing a sweet, feature packed driver’s station. The web team has doubled to two full-time members, and the scouting team has a new software system that is being developed by Team 930 alumni. The team has high hopes for the coming regional competition, as well as a growing desire to experience the FRC Championship Event in St. Louis.
