Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

As much as i try to get over my addiction of FIRST, i kept getting sucked into this "HARDEST FUN."
So this is my second year with FIRST, and first year as a College Student/Mentor. To be honest, i think FIRST is taking over the world. Even at work, I've to work with FIRST in order to make sure that my robotics sections are doing well.............sigh thats another long story (we'll talk about it later ;) )
So right now, I've a problem. You guys have solution. And whoever end up solving the problem for me, with the best convincing statement, will win a prize!!! (lets make it a little fun).

Introduction:
Right after i graduated from High School, I started to work with Smithsonian Institute as a Robotics/Education Intern. Over the course of time, I've been trying to convince the Smithsonian that they should have something regarding Robotics in their Space Gallery. 612 and 116 were the lucky ones to show off their robots on National Space Day and Air and Scare Day. So now the Education Department is really interested in knowing about FIRST and the people. So my job, over the next season, is to gather information about FIRST, FIRSTers (interviews), Teams, Teams Stories, etc etc, and present it in front of the Board of Directors in May. Depending on how convincing it can be, it can open a lot of opportunities for FIRST (galleries, exhibits, booths for teams etc) and for FIRSTers (summer internships in Smithsonian Institute/Museums.)

Problem:

So in March, I'll be going around every weekend to some Regional Competition. I'll be volunteering, while at the same time documenting stuff for my project. But, I'm still pretty new to all this, so i really can't decide which regional to hit.
Week 1: Def VCU.
Week 2: Undecided, as A lot of Powerhouse Regionals are over this weekend (UCF?......heard alot about it).
Week 3:Grrr...... I'll be in Russia
Week 4:Undecided, leaning to wards Boston, but YOU tell me
Week 5:Undecided.....
Championship: It all depends on my School Schedule, but I'm pretty sure I'll be there.

Solution:

So now its your turn. I know VCU is a powerhouse, as I've been there before (twice). I wanted to go to Chesapeake (quite a diverse regional, as far as geography goes) so bad, but I'll be in Russia.
Heres what you have to do. In this thread, y'all will try to convince me on which regional to attend. Its more like taking a responsibility: "I'll be there and I'll show you around and tell you about the good teams and stories related to that particular regional." Things you might want to consider can be Location, Teams, People attending, FOOD!! (love it...lol), transportation, help with lodging, etc.
Be creative, because you might end up winning one of the coolest prizzzze :)

PRIZE:
There is a chance that a lot of people might discuss the same regional. Well the most constructive and convincing, that will touch my heart (cheese huh?) will take the prize. And yes, there are going to be Three of them. Who ever end up convincing me well, will get it at the time i see him/her at the Regional.
Hmm........ lets play another game. If you can guess the prize, I'll give it to you anyways.........now keep guessing :rolleyes:

You don't have to stick to this thread. You can PM or IM me too (PM me about my SN).
Once again, Prize is there for fun, but its more about FIRST and broadening the horizon of opportunities. Think hard............and lets get it started :D

Imad

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

I recommend that you go to the SBPLI Long Island regional during week 5. It is a highly competitive regional and does not get the recognition it deserves. We have 38 teams registered so far including several rookie teams and a few from out of state. Many of the teams are seasoned veterans and always develop very innovative designs.
Everyone at this regional is friendly and teams are always willing to lend a helping hand to each other. Many spectators attend and the energy level is always high. This regional is well run and the venue, the Hofstra University arena, is excellent. It is a modern facility and has plenty of room.
The Long Island Regional is also less than 20 miles from New York City and major airports are nearby. Public transportation (The Long Island Railroad) is great for traveling into the city or getting to the airport. There are several hotels near the venue.
Please come to this regional! You will not be disappointed. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Go to Toronto Week 5. It is a MEGA-regional. Two fields.... 80 teams, its the next best thing to Atlanta!

I would say Wisconsin Regional, as they have 51 teams with 22 rookies, but that is week 3.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

I'd have to say GLR week 2, Boston week 4 and Toronto week 5.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

UCF hands down, no question. one of the primo regionals, great competition, some of the best teams in the south, 233, 21,180, 1902 :D We also get a good mix of rookie teams and a few international teams as well. Plus beautiful Florida sun and fun.(The average tempeture in March is 85 degrees) UCF is halfway between Disney and the beaches so plenty of nice places to stay at. (my house is one of them) less then a 20 minute drive from an international airport, there's also an amtrack station nearby, plus the food is a great mix of college town (so plenty of pizza places and fast food) and tourist destination (so you have the nice higher end, yet cheap, resturants such as olive garden, Fridays, Ale house...) but that's just the city. the competition being at the UCF arena is awesome. It's just the right atmosphere for a great experience. On top of all this the actual competiton is intense. You will lose your voice while getting a tan. (the practice field and some of the pits are in tents outside)

You can become an honorary member of Team 1902 Exploding Bacon, but you must learn the cheer.....OINK OINK BOOM!! We have lots of great college mentors to hang out with. We usually do everything except sleep as a team all weekend even though we live here. I'm sure we will have some fun events planned. There is talk of us trying to hold the social this year. We are shooting for a beach bash. Just trying to get UCFs permission.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

I would recommend to try to go to a diverse group of regionals, since this would give different "views" from across FIRST and I think would carry a little more weight.

Toronto seems like a must, because it allows you to see a "super" regional, but also gives you information for a non-US competition.

A small competition (34 teams or less) might also be interesting, to see what differences happen with a small competition compared to the average sized regionals (40-45 teams).

If travel is possible, try coming to a Westcoast (CA, AZ, CO, NV, OR) or Southern (FL, TX, GA, LA, SC) regional, to show some cross country programs to the Board, as well as numerous newer teams.

And now, my obligatory Arizona pitch:

The Arizona Regional is wonderful, I have been there every year since it started and have yet to see a year without some spectacular robots. The regional itself has a large amount of newer teams (over 80% of the currently registered teams have team #'s above 1000, and almost half the teams are less than 2 years old), but still has a few veteran teams that keep churning out good designs (team 60 comes particularly to mind, as does the 2004 ROV Champions 842). We also have the only team from Mexico, 1401, at our regional. The temperature will likely be in the 85-95 degree range, and you can expect sun for the majority of your stay (though I won't guarantee it... we got our first day of rain in 140 days on the Saturday of the regional last year!). There is a massive team social at the Arizona Science Center on Friday that all the mentors, volunteers, and students can attend, with a catering service and access to almost all the exhibits (it's a 3 story complex, to give you an idea of what is available). Food at the regional is not a problem, as they do have a concession stand, but most teams order food from out and eat it in the parking lot, and I'm sure you could coordinate getting food with one of the teams (us included, one person more's meal won't make any difference). There was a barbecue available for everyone last year on Saturday courtesy of team 1324, I don't know if something similar will be happening this year. Lodging is not a problem (hotels are big and many in Phoenix), and airfare shouldn't be outrageous since we boast a large airport in Skyharbor, which houses Southwest's (now United) headquarters. And for transportation, all you need is a local team to carpool with. We have so many parents come for our team alone that I can guarantee it won't be a problem.

If you can come, we'll see to it that you'll never have any of that pesky free time to bug you while you're at the regional.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Plan on hearing my argument soon...

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

You better be quick!
because 1 or 2 of the people above you already have me convinced.... :)

On top of that, i also have to make travel arrangements before i head out to my winter break extravaganza!


Imad

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Week 2 is a no Brainer, Great Lakes Regional at Eastern Michigan university. It is by far the strongest regional with three Divisional Champions (201,451, and 503) and three divisional finalists (33,70, and 1114). One Hall of Fame Team (67 ). There are SIX International Champions (65,66,67,469,494, and 503). There are 58 teams competing and it will be one of the best regionals that there is this year,.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

So did you decide which regionals you are going to????

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Hi Guys!
well sorry about the late reply....... i was in Ireland for a month (missed the kickoff); so my kickoff was not until like a week ago. Since i got back i got really busy with college and internship AND robotics.
On the other hand, making this decision is just not that easy. I've to make sure i've transportation and accomodation before i finalize it all. So far here are the results...

Week One: VCU
Week Two: UCF (wpdrummer)
Week Three: Russia is no longer on the plan, so i'll be heading into Chesapeake with my home team 612.

Week Four and Five are still under consideration :p

WPDRUMMER:.........you got me! (goes on to PM wpdrummer)

Imad

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

If you can, try and make it to one in the Midwest. The Midwest is a powerhouse for robotics. Since your weeks 1 - 3 are taken, I suggest the West Michigan Regional. I look at the list of team numbers and immediately recognize it as a very competitive regional - 27, 33, 47, 67, 68, 70, 71, 111, 302, 469 - The list goes on my friend. If you want to see robotics at its finest then come to the Midwest and just be ready for it.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Week 4: San Diego.
Here's why: It's a first year regional with a lot of good teams attending. Two former national/world champions are planning to be there, along with Team San Diego's 12 (or more--that's last year's number) teams. In addition to being able to warm up (hopefully), you will see about half of southern California's teams in one place--the only way to see more is the L.A. Regional (week 2).
Expected top teams (no particular order): 294 and 330 (former champs), 968, 980, 599, 812, 696, 368. Throw in about 10 rookies and a bunch of other teams and you're all set.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

Any investigation where you're trying to get an image of FIRST as a whole REQUIRES a trip to a Mid-West competition. Given the events you've already decided upon, the best remaining choice would be West Michigan in Week 5. Some of the 55 teams competing at WMR are 27, 33, 47, 67, 68, 70, 71, 111, 245, 383 (all the way from Brazil), 469, 494, 703 and 1018. Of those there are three Hall of Fame teams (47, 67, and 111), and the only team to win more than one Championship (71, who has won 4).
That leaves Week 4 up for decision. Well, you already have 3 competitions in the East, one in the Midwest, so Week 4 should mean either an expedition out West (to San Diego), or North of the border to Waterloo. In Waterloo you'll get to see 28 teams, including 68, 188, 1114, 1241, and 1305. In San Diego you'll see 45, including 330, 812, 842, 968, and 980.
Also, if you're not finished with your dose of FIRST after Chesapeake, NYC is run from Friday-Sunday, so you could make the trek up to the Big Apple to watch the finals of the New York City Regional.

Re: Convince ME & Win a PRIZE!!
 

I wannnnna winnn!

Madi, if you don't come to Florida, then Me, Gary, and Tytus will have to take a trip up there ... with lots of duct tape, modified nerf guns, and a flamethrower. =) ... so see you soon?

... I win =D