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SAM is a retired FIRST competition contender. He was built by the UpStaRT team (now called EnTech or simply team 281) and competed in 2001 thanks to the sponsorship of Michelin. You can see pictures of him and the team that built him by clicking here. Later, Team 281 donated SAM Sr. to Southside and we spent a year modifying him. 

These days, SAM acts as both a teaching assistant and an ambassador for Southside High. He has been fitted with a TV camera eye, an artificial ear, and a speaker so that he can communicate with everyone and share his wisdom.

SAM originally had a large basket for carrying balls that was replaced with his new head. SAM was outfitted with a new skin made of an aluminum and plywood composite. He looks very different from his original appearance.  (But that's what happens when you get older.)

Sam Sr. has made multiple personal appearances at Roper Mountain Science Center as a science education ambassador and numerous appearances at Southside High School.

SAM Sr. has all sorts of special talents.

He can demonstrate basic robotic functions such as wireless communication.  Also, he has many unique mechanisms such as a telescoping neck which can extend to a height of about 12 ft.

His movement is so simple that he can be run by anyone (anyone over the age of 10, anyways).

And he's our best SAM Team ambassador from Southside High School!

Sam Sr. is going to, at last, get an arm and gripper, but it's not just for him.  Hopefully, a low-cost mechanical device based on his arm will one day be mounted on a robot assistant used by handicapped people to remotely retrieve objects from cupboards and other areas of their houses.

• Ishan Majumdar
• Jay Hill
• Andy Patel
• Parth Amin

Sam Sr. and his best bud, Mr. Rogers

SAM Sr. makes an appearance on engineering day at Roper Mountain Science Center. Mr. Rogers is talking about wireless communication. SAM's presence at Roper Mountain has become an annual affair.

SAM Sr.'s Mission

• To help young people get excited about potential careers in engineering,

• To demonstrate basic principles taught in math and science classes

• To act as a test platform for developing new mobile robotic manipulators.

Help Support Sam Sr.

 Although our team is operating on a very limited budget, SAM Sr. still needs equipment for improvement and upkeep.

Any materials you can donate from this list are greatly appreciated.