Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

For future you can have a summer workshop that teaches 8th graders how to build robots and let them drive past robots to inspire them into being in robotics.

Without the summer workshop I did, I wouldnt have been so involved in robotics.

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

I'm not really sure we have the resources to pull something like this off. The best we can do right now is to encourage the girls to try it out by coming to preseason, and hope we can get them involved then.

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

I am quite surprised that nobody has said this, but try to get an FLL team (or even an FLL club for younger kids). Our school has an FLL program, and we get a constant flow of new students every year.

Hope this solves your problems.

Michael

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

We actually have an FLL team and a Jr. FLL team as far as I know. We're trying to get a closer relationship with the two of them. But we're also trying to get other kids, who maybe don't have any experience with robotics, to know that they can still join the team and learn. Next year is the first year that kids will have come up from the FLL team.

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

Minibot poles can be simulated with a section of EMT Conduit (Lowes, Home Depot, ACE, Truevalue, whatever is local) stuck in a base. But coming up with some "human player" related game for the kids to try their skill at and by all means have a driving robot.

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

Update: I'd call it a success. Some of the girls got more engaged than others... I was in the "Rambling about FIRST" station, so that's probably why some were more bored, but they got into the other stations better than I would've hoped. Thanks for the help everyone. I hope we've inspired some people to join the team next year.

Re: getting 8th graders interested in FIRST
 

Its something you can go for in the future. The FLL and jr FLL teams are a great start. I would definitely push for more kids to be involved. Perhaps start a club up at a high school to learn about robots. I know money could be an issue but with a sponsor, anything could happen.

:)