The Harlem Knights Robotics Team meets every day Monday through Saturday during the build season. We started out by brainstorming to decide what type of drive train the team should use with the manipulator, considering the advantages and designing it to get around easily around the field without delays. I was in charge of the field construction in making the top basket and middle basket. The process of making these baskets was a little hectic in the dimensions to cut the 2×4 and plywood in almost perfect shapes to fit with each other. The top basket has to be at least 98 inches from rim to floor and the middle basket has to be 61 inches from rim to floor. When I got all the exact measurements for the wood it was easy to cut the pieces and assemble it together. On Saturday I helped the manipulator crew by taking the robot to the FDA gym to test out our shooter. We had a lot of human error but at the end of the day our robot successfully shot 5 baskets. As a team we have came a long way in building 60 percent of the robot and will still strive to finish it before Bag & Tag Day. -D. Acevedo

My experience with the Harlem Knights Robotics 1660 Team has been a one of a kind experience. Robotics has given me more options and opportunities that normal students don’t get. Robotics encompasses multiple disciplines; including Mechanical Engineering, Software Programming, and Electrical Engineering. Robotics gives me a head-on experience with engineering therefore giving me possible options in college. Besides Robotics giving me possible career choices, Robotics can be very fun. All the trips, moments, and competitions have been thrilling and unforgettable; from one of my teammates eating Wasabi up to losing grueling matches in the Regional. I am grateful for being a Harlem Knight and still plan on striving to succeed as a team. Go Harlem Knights 1660! -F. Reynoso

“This year is a somewhat difficult challenge. The name of the game is Rebound Rumble. The object; get as many basketballs into the hoops within the 2 minute and 15 second time limit. There are four baskets to score in and they are set up in a diamond shape. There is one on the top that gives a team the option of scoring three points. There is one on the bottom in which one can score one point with. Lastly, there are two hoops, side by side, in which one can score two points with. In autonomous mode each basket is worth an extra three points. Not only can a team score by shooting basketballs into hoops, but they can also score by balancing their robots on the ramps that are centered in the middle of the playing field. As a team, the Harlem Knights plan on using the Coopertition bridge in order to display kindness and respect in a competition while also helping the opposing team gain two points.”  – M. Stoessel