Re: Your team's first events
 

While I applaud the fact that your team can work without mentors, I think you are missing a big part of the FIRST experience. Engineers and other technical mentors bring a wealth of knowledge to a team, and can help you learn far more than you will on your own.

Just take a look at so many other fields - Apprenticeships in so many trades, doctors that must do years of study under another doctor before going on their own, understudys in the arts, and so on. If this method of learning was not effective they wouldn't continue.

You should take a look at the other threads that describe some of the experience and background of FIRST mentors . There is a lot of knowledge to be shared.

I really encourage you to recruit some professionals to your team - you won't regret it.

PS - if someone wants to 'discuss' this issue more, please start another thread or look for one already running. Let's keep the thread on the original topic - "Your Team's First Events". Thanks !! :)

Re: Your team's first events
 

We take the whole team (or whoever wants to go) to the Kettering Kickoff which is usually rather early in the year, and the Sweet Repeat which is in October. That way they can see what FIRST competitions are all about. It was kind of nice, we won both last year! <cocky grin> Just kidding, no need to be cocky about anything.

We also hold Monday meetings every week where we do all kinds of things. Before last season, our lead engineer taught a class in C programming, some people built a new cart, and we prototyped our new transmission and chassis design. We also had one meeting where we sorted all the nuts and bolts we had in cups all over. It was boring and tedious, but it kind of helped strengthen the team because we all just sat there and talked.

There's also OCCRA, but last year was our first year and it was mosly the veteran team members that built the robot. Who knows what it'll be like this year.

Re: Your team's first events
 

Errm, nobody's posted...

Usually team 84 throughout the summer will attend as many community and sponsor events as possible. To get out and show the 'bots, to show appreciation, and to hopefully gain more interest. A post-, pre-, season competition schedule is usually filled with PARC, MD Fair, and Ramp Riot. However, I think a possible trip this year to Summer Frenzy (York) is on the list.

..... Relocation is in store for this year. Due to consolidation of schools in build school (1 of 5ish school districts).... currently scrambling to find a new build site. :(