Build season for the robotics team began on Saturday, Jan. 5. Build season is a period of six weeks used to design, build, program, and test a robot for upcoming competition.

Every competition nationwide follows the same guidelines. Each year, a new task, or game, is chosen for the robots to complete. This year, the game is “ultimate ascent.” The robot can score points by throwing a frisbee into several goals. More points will be given if the robot can climb up a pyramid in the center of the field and place the frisbee in the goal on top.

Robotics member senior Brett Logbeck said that making the robot will be a new challenge.

“Every game in the past has been something like throwing a ball or sphere,” Logbeck said. “Frisbees are something we’ve never seen before.”

The robotics team met to watch NASA’s broadcast announcing the game for this year and to come up with ideas.

“Right now we’re still in our planning and brainstorming phase,” robotics co-sponsor Mary Beth Mattingly said. “I think if the team can focus on making the robot do well in one or two aspects, instead of trying to do everything, we will have a successful season.”

Robotics co-president senior Chris Gillespie is hopeful for the outcome of the season.

“I think the season’s going to go well, because we have a bunch of experienced members with specialties,” Gillespie said.

Click to view the animation of the game shown on NASA’s broadcast