Picture this scene: At last, the day so many high schoolers have been eagerly awaiting has arrived. It is early in the morning on a Saturday during winter break – hours before any respectable youngster would rise, yet only excitement and suspense rides the air currents, sleep long forgotten in light of the much-anticipated event. The empty warehouse donated especially for this activity lends the perfect atmosphere, with high wooden walls and ceiling, a bit musty – a place where onlookers could imagine robots would find refuge in, with a demeanor matching that of our team’s workshop.

The kick-off video began, teams sitting still, their eyes riveted on the faces that would reveal to what end we were destined to spend our next six weeks magicking bits of metal and screws together to form something at least partway functional. Dean and others on the FIRST committee, taking full advantage of our undivided attention, said all they honorably could while withholding the much-coveted information about this year’s competition. Finally, they announced the challenge: Overdrive.

There are two basic ways to score points in this game: by collecting points by racing around a track, and by hurdling enormous, ten pound air-filled trackballs (hard enough for humans to lift) over a 6.5-foot high overpass made of steel pipes. At the end of the match, alliances can gain extra points if their trackballs, which start atop the overpasses, are replaced on their perch.

The challenge fed the minds of many teams, and instantaneously, hundreds of virtual robot ideas appeared, shimmering in the warehouse air as they crackled and exploded off the skin. Already plotting ways to build the supreme robot, teams crowded around the example field built by volunteers, brimming with friendly camaraderie and optimism about the weeks to follow.

The fuel has been provided, and at last, the fire lit. Now, it is up to the teams to work as though the fire is lit beneath them – to work their magic in overdrive mode – for magic we will need, if we are to build our robot in just six weeks. For now, the possibilities are endless.