Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

I believe they handle it on a year-to-year basis. Some years it hasn't happened, and the content of the invitee list has varied.

I'd rate it very unlikely that the White House would invite 1114. Rideau Hall, maybe. (David Johnston used to be the University of Waterloo's president, and so is probably acquainted with FRC, via the Waterloo Regional.)

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

Makes sense.

And meeting Stephen Harper isn't really that impressive, quite honestly. He has a house in Calgary and goes to the movies and stuff with his family sometimes. Meeting him's really nothing to write home about.

It would stand to reason that his house would be red and white, however that is not the case.

I kind of think that this is a little off-topic now.

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

At post #194 we'll cut you some slack; it seems to make it's way back on topic every now and then.

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

Robotics is the greatest organization in the world. I can't even imagine that FIRST will continue to leave the Einstein teams disillusioned, disappointed, &/or with the myriad of negative feelings they may currently possess. As Dean Kamen began to speak on Saturday, the crowds went wild! I said to my family, "Dean is the Rock star of Robotics!" I thought I was about to watch one of the greatest moments in my son's life, instead I witnessed his most disappointing moment to date. It's not about winning or losing, it's how we played the game, but it felt to me that Team 118, The Robonauts,(as well as the other Einstein competitors) didn't even get to play. I so wish we could recapture the initial excitement and redo the Einstein competition less the atrocities that played out. But short of Dean inventing a time machine, we cannot.
I challenge FIRST to some homework. Find the problem and a solution so no team in the future ever has to deal with the horror that these teams are enduring. This hasn't ended as many replay Saturday over and over in their head & continue to relive the event. They need adequate closure. Which leads me to another homework assignment: find a way to make it up to these teams. These teams have shown their gracious professionalism in an unbelievable manner and I have no doubt FIRST will do the same. An organization that stands for gracious professional won't possibly disappoint these phenomenal teams again....will they?

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

I know this is totally off-topic, but that was one of the first things to pop into my head after "Finally!" and "YES!" when I heard 1114 won. :P:o

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

The communication issues that were seen on Einstein were not restricted to just that field. Our robot sat dead for two different matches on Newton and there was no explanation for the failure. We checked and double checked or connections and no proplems were found. We must assume it was a problem with the field. We were not the only team that experienced the same issues.

Re: Einstein Field issues Handled correctly?
 

Just as the championship this year was a learning experience for the students and teams, it also served as a potential learning experience for FIRST.

FIRST is not perfect. Don't get me wrong, I was very disappointed about what happened on Einstein this year, but the fact remains that FIRST is far from being the complete organization that many want it to be. In order to better the situation, FIRST, if they have not already, should embrace the notion of continuous improvement already exemplified by teams in its organization.

We all can learn form our mistakes, and FIRST is no different. Perhaps the reason why so many people are angered by the field issues is that we all have seen them play out all season, and on FIRST's biggest stage, Einstein, where the best and most inspiring teams in the world face off, the issues were significantly magnified. This, to me, is the signature issue. If FIRST wants STEM to be exciting and inspiring, they need to find a way to make more robots run, shoot, and score. There is little more uninspiring than toiling on a robot for 6 action filled weeks, working hard to earn a spot a championship, doing well, only to see your robot motionless on the field.

What's done is done. We cannot change the past. What we can do, however, is look to our future. The teams affected by communications issues should know that they are solid, if not amazing teams. Any team that had communication issues that may have affected their performance should come out fighting next year, and give the rest of the teams all they can handle in their quest for Einstein.

We all can learn. Even FIRST. Here's to the continuous improvement of the entire FIRST community--the students, mentors, sponsors, and yes, even the whole national organization itself.

-Kevin