Yes but engineering during the competition is not the smartest thing to do because it can fail and you dont want to fail halfway through the competition, only maintenance should be done during competition.
Its not engineering at the competiton its making sure its working the way it was designed to with the time between matches. Its testing never stops there is always room for improvement no matter how amazing your design can be or is already.
If you see that a claw is not working and its your only way of scoring and you are already at the competiton (and it worked in pratice because there is no one competiting against you) the only way is to make engieering modifications and changes to your design on game day. This is an engineering job no matter what you say or think that you are done you are never done because if you are done you are giving up making it better and eventually will get beat by the team that never stops progressing and moving their technology forward.
Obviously if your claw breaks then you have to do maintenance on it to get it working again.
I dont think you understand that alot of things are done in a hurry before the competitions and alot of the time’s during the competitions. It could be making a new claw etc to changing a motor. Everyone works different.
I know how things are done because iv had to put up with a team like that, but good practise is to have your robot ready and finalized by the time the competition starts, this includes beta and alpha testing. Then all you should have to do during competition is maintain the robot. To strive to do things in a hurry just before/during the competition is to be foolish. No one should strive for that. My team has done well in accomplishing their tasks on time, this has allowed us to constantly plan, improve and finalize new versions of our robot. But we try to never require building during the competition, only maintainance if required. We have done good with this, we plan to win our regionals then head to nationals and compete against the best in New Zealand.
Can’t wait to see you there ^.^
You always do, we come so close but yet just not good enough to win, we get eliminated around semi’s. Hopefully this year it will be different!
I’ll need to get Jacko filled up on coke and take a video of his hands. They do visibly shake :o
hey, this is from http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/foods-to-improve-concentration-24888361
i dont know about you guys but personally, at the worlds im gonna do everything it takes for that little bit extra performance
"Let’s face it, we all could benefit from being more focused and cognitive. Some people would like to have a better concentration so they can study more easily and some want it for their work purposes. The interesting fact is that what we eat and drink directly affects more than just our weight and energy levels. Making the right choices can actually help our concentration.
Tiredness and an inability to concentrate can be a common problem, often remedied through improved lifestyle habits such as additional sleep, stress reduction and dietary changes. Foods do not make you only physically stronger, they also are your source to boost brain function, enhance memory, and improve concentration. It’s true; a diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power. So here are some foods to help you with your concentration levels:
Coffee: Coffee has been an old standby because the caffeine it contains increases alertness. Millions of people around the world enjoy a cup of coffee every morning because they believe that it wakes them up and helps them stay alert and awake at work. However, keep the coffee to three cups a day or less; more than that and the risk for heart disease increases and it can even make you uncomfortable.
Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba: Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba are the two most famous Chinese herbs which are also supposed to be good for concentration and memory function. They both have been used for thousands of years in China. A combination of two ancient herbal remedies can dramatically boost brain power and may have applications in medicine, say scientists. According to scientists, a combination of these two herbal remedies can dramatically boost brain power. Researchers showed that ginkgo biloba can improve the power of concentration, while ginseng sharpens up the memory. Researchers suggest that the herbs may also be useful in treating neurological disorders.
Fish: Fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and herring are very good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which directly aids the brain by increasing brain activity and promoting correct functioning. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to lower dementia and stroke risks, and protection against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. It is recommended to eat two servings of fish every week for brain and heart health.
Cranberry: Animal studies suggest that cranberries contain a high dosage of antioxidants that protect the brain from some of the free radical damage that can cause loss of coordination and memory. The two antioxidants studies most extensively - procyanidins and anthocyanidins - seems to be particularly adept at turning off a brain enzyme (xanthine oxidase) that actually stimulates the creation of free radicals of oxygen. Preliminary research also shows that cranberries may reduce brain-cell damage associated with stroke. The findings suggest that cranberries can aid recovery from stroke, particularly in its earliest stages, in which the most severe damage occurs.
Sweet Potatoes (Shakarkand): Antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes contain a healthy dose of carbohydrates - the only fuel source the brain uses - without causing a sugar spike. This steady stream of energy can help you stay focused for hours on end and will also keep your energy levels up. Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene which can improve cognitive function. According to a recent study, men consuming beta-carotene supplements over a long time scored significantly higher than those taking placebo in general tests of cognitive ability.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is also high in omega-3 fatty acids which helps improve concentration and support the overall system in many ways.
Brahmi: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is an Indian Ayurvedic medical herb that is said to improve concentration as well as nourishes the brain. It is used to aid learning and memory, and treat anxiety and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Lamb: Lamb contains vitamin B12 and iron. Iron is important for brain health, and a deficiency of iron may lead to poor mental performance and lack of concentration.
Oatmeal: It is great source of healthy carbohydrates. It helps in keeping a steady blood sugar level which will keep your concentration high, while quick energy will get you ready to get to focus.
Spinach: It is rich in antioxidants and minerals, and is one of the best iron-rich leafy green that helps boost concentration and reduce the risk of age-related decline in brain power. Researchers found that feeding aging laboratory animals with spinach-rich diets significantly improved their learning capacity and their motor skills."
I would definitely not rely on psuedoscience for performance at worlds. While it sounds like a lot of the ideas behind certain foods are based on reasonably sound general principles, a lot of it is jumping to conclusions, exaggerating, or just plain wrong.
On an unrelated note - your opinion on caffeine is almost the exact opposite of what one might expect. Have you done any experimentation to verify your claims? What about the possibility of jitteriness?
Thats exactly what i thought, this information was copy and pasted so i do not know how accurate it is >.<
same goes for sugar, they do not actually make the kids hyper when they drink a sugary drink…
and i would rather have a muffin, candy, pop, party diet than spinach and healthy stuff 
maybe SOME healthy stuff, after i get bored of the junk food 
Open your mind to food! Try different combinations that look horrible and digesting but actually taste quite nice. Eating is good. Doesn’t matter what you eat (much) just as long as you eat!
Hot Mountain Dew and cold Pizza
I think you have it backwards…
However, i must say that I too enjoy cold pizza…
Personally, I say that living on junk food for a couple weekends out of the year is perfectly fine… Our parents usually force us to eat healthy food the rest of the time…
I think its okay to live off junk food as long as you monitor how much you are eating, otherwise you will become fat and slow and it will be hard to climb the stairs, as the saying goes “Its not what you eat, its how you eat”
UNLESS high quantities of junk food affects your brains performance which would suck because you have spent a whole year working towards the world championship, pay many thousands of dollars if you come from NZ and screw up because you ate a heck of alot of junk food
BUT i wouldnt recommend eating some weird herbal recipe just in case it REALLY messes with you xD
Eating only junk food would lead to general nutritional deficiencies and isn’t good for your health even with a regulated calorie count.
Im a computer guy, sleep provides me with my nutrition, thats why I sleep at least 12 hours. Junk food just fills up my extra time, the time in which I have to take a break from technology. Plus im on holiday, I eat healthy during the year and during competitions, mostly because my coach provides us with cool places to eat at which have good meals. You should try iHop in the USA, that is awesome, pancakes, T-bone steak with french fries and strawberry sauce for dinner. Oh god its orgasmic! Haha! Now im hungry again!