Team Info

Thank you for visiting our web site and learning more about Team pwnage. Some of the history about the team, the logo, and our motto can be found on this page. Feel free to visit these additional areas:

team pwnage FRC #2949 (built by the team and about the team)
current season

Find out more specifics about us by clicking on one of these:

pwnage (what does it mean)
What is FRC, FIRST, and our relationship
A little history about the Wolves Division and Team pwnage
A typical year
Our motto - Cogito ergo sum
Our logo and the meaning behind it
Our team handbook - rules, ethics, and other cool info
Just added 3/16/2010 Multimedia - pictures and videos

pwnage (pronunciation - po nedge) (noun)

1. leetspeak or gamer slang derived from the verb 'own' or to beat by a large margin of points; total domination
2. ownage; having seriously owned or beaten the other team; battle cry of hackers everywhere
3. power is knowledge, and knowledge is power
4. A wicked cool robotics team

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What is FRC, FIRST, and our relationship?

Based out of Manchester, NH, FIRST is a 501c3 international organization which has created robotics programs for kids age 6-18. FRC is the FIRST Robotics Competition which is an annual event for high school aged kids. Early in January the competition is released via a NASA broadcast kick-off event. For the next six weeks, a team of kids aided by their mentors and coaches will strategize the game and then design, build, and test a robot to compete at regional competitions. For this year's challenge check out Current Season and Regional Competitions.

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A little history about the Wolves Division and Team pwnage

After competing in FLL (LegoDogs Division) since 2002, and FTC and VEX (Coyotes Division) since 2007, our high school aged members were looking for a new challenge. In 2008 we decided to do FRC and from this came the Wolves Division of Fox Valley Robotics / Batavia Robotics. It took a lot of effort, time, hard work, and money to put together our first season 2009. The name "pwnage" came about in the fall of 2009 after much deliberation. Today our organization is made up of members from several communities, schools, and organizations in the Fox Valley Area of Illinois. When we are not doing FRC robotics, we are helping out our other divisions, promoting robotics in the communities, fund raising, performing community service, assisting in our summer camp and summer workshop programs, and participating in environmental programs. Check out the About Us section for some more info on our entire organization, and check out our LegoDogs and Coyotes divisions.

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What do we do during the course of the year???

September - December - training, preparation, education, safety, fundraising, mentoring
January-February - design, build, and test a competition worthy robot; fundraising
February-March - regional competitions; fundraising
April - national competition; fundraising
May-August - fundraising, planning, workshops, mentoring

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Our Motto - Cogito Ergo Sum

"Cogito Ergo Sum" translates (loosely) to "I think, therefore I am"

Descartes was a student of mathematic reasoning. He believed that it was the path to a secure theory of knowledge. Descartes coined the phrase \"Cogito, ergo sum.\" (\"I think, therefore I am\") which was a conclusion that there was only one thing of which he could be certain; that he existed!

The one thing we are certain of is that we enjoy robotics. Many of us have participated in the other divisions of Batavia Robotics and Fox Valley Robotics. As a team, we find it to be a truly hands-on-experience while exhibiting respect, gracious professionalism, and a team-work approach.

The build season is approximately six weeks in January and February. During this time, we create a strategy, and then design, build, program, and test a competition worthy robot to be played with five other robots on approximately a 25'x50' playing area. Our mentors and coaches guide us through-out the process.

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Our Logo

	The Hopi are a Native America Nation who primarily live in Arizona. The Hopi call themselves Hopitu - 'The Peaceful People'. This symbol signifies world to the Hopi "cosmic cross". The four bars represent north, south, east and west. The shield symbol with its four circles in four quadrants means: "Together with all nations we protect both land and life, and hold the world in balance." It is a symbol of peace to yourself and others, a symbol of honor to oneself as well as to others.
	The interweaving of knots are associated with eternity and all that surrounds life; past, present and the future. Each loop believed to be an individual and is looped or interwoven into the whole, as in life. The Triquetrous Knot (meaning "three-cornered" in Latin) is often called the Trinity Knot.  This symbol is often found in Celtic art. According to the Christians, the Celtic trinity knot symbolized their faith of God being one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To the Pagans, the triangle symbolized harmony and co-existence of the mind, body and spirit. According to modern belief, the triangle stressed upon the unity among many three elements in all aspects of life, like the past, present and future; land, sea and sky; mind, body, and soul in all dimensions. The Trinity knot can be a sign of perfection. Each created according to a mathematical formula so there is no beginning and no end.
	Team “pwnage” has combined these two significant symbols in an effort to remind each team member to treat each other with respect and dignity. It also reminds the team to be honorable and respectful to other teams. This symbol was created by the team as a reminder to always conduct ourselves  in a manner consistent with “GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM”.

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Handbook

We have developed a handbook for all of our team members, mentors, parents, sponsors, and guests to view. A pdf viewer is required. Please enjoy the reading by clicking here.

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Multimedia - pictures and videos

Sit back and relax as you take a look at some of our pictures and videos from this year. Just click on one of the links.

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Check back soon for other updates.