About EMU Robotics
We are a team of students who compete in FIRST competitions and we have a group of mentors who help us along the way with building robots.
Our first meeting was in December 2012 and at that time there were only 4 mentors and 8 students.
2013 was our training year with us participating in Duel Down Under, our local off season event. It was our first competition where our robot was made out of MDF and dubbed our 'cardboard robot'.
2015 was our first regional event. This is when the FIRST FRC competition truly came to Australia, allowing local teams to compete in an international competition without leaving Australia!
2016 was our first big year as we won the Judges award in FRC due to our grappling hook. We also won the Motivate award in 2016.
In 2016, we created our own mini-bot to use as a robotics teaching tool.
July 2016, we hosted our first GERRIC courses. Working with year 5 and 6 students teaching them about robotics (CAD, electrical, mechanical and coding). We also hosted a library course for early-highschool students interested in robotics.
In 2017, we grew from 6 students in 2012 to over 20 students.
In 2018, we won the Gracious Professionalism award at DDU as we helped other teams.
April 2019, responding to the need for a robotics program for late primary/early high school students we started an FLL team with 20 students joining in the first meeting.
July 2019, our FLL team participated in a demonstration, receiving the Synergy award.
November 2019, our two FLL teams came second and fourth in the first regional competition.
During 2019, the senior FRC team had grown to almost 40 students and 10 mentors.
January 2020, we held robotics workshop for high school students.
Unable to meet in person we went online. We concentrated on robotics based on the LEGO EV3 kits with the aim of participating in the FIRST FLL competition that year.
Our FLL competition was in person. Our team were Regional Champions and progressed to Nationals which was held virtually.
We again ran a virtual FLL team grabbing in person sessions whenever it was possible. For a second year, our team progressed to Nationals. June 2021, wildcard entry into APOC (Australia Pacific Open Championship) winning the Motivate award.
Return to FRC competition with our robot being built on the front porch of a team member.
April 2022, the journey to rebuild both junior and senior teams begins.
May 2022, our team, along with our alliance partners, won DDU.
May 2023, saw about 60 students plus parents visit us. Many students joined. This was also the start of our EMU Chicks team for 7 to 10 year olds.
Over all three teams, we currently have 45 students and growing.
