Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

I am against FIRST giving cash prizes for winning championships, however, I am not against giving teams money for winning regional awards so they can compete at the national level. Last year, winners of the LA regional were given a grant so they could go to nationals. Without this money some teams would not have been able to go, as they had not planned to go to championships originally or had financial difficulties already. It would be far too difficult for FIRST to provide this funding, however, private philanthropies should be encouraged to provide such support.

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

I think its a great idea, really.

Problem is the teams who would win the prizes (for the most part) have full sponsors from GM, Delphi, etc.. Hardly teams who really need the cash.

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

Because simply put, you cannot win Chairmans by luck. Teams most certainly can (and have) won nationals by luck. There's nothing that makes a student on a team that's won 20 regionals and nationals, and technical awards out the wazoo better or more deserving than a student on a team who's never made the elimination rounds and has never won an award. Why reward the former with a scholarship?

And besides, scholarships that are being offered are already going unfilled. Every year FIRST practically begs students to apply for them. Why give out more?

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

It's definitely NOT about the money. Once you get money involved as a prize or goal you're going to see ALL of the Gracious Professionalism go out the door. You would also see teams no longer sharing information and helping each other.

This forum would become a shell of itself.

Unfortunately the $$$ aspect of a prize will change the attitude of many people. This would absolutely NOT be a good thing IMHO

IF you have to ask why then I'm afraid you might not be getting the point of what FIRST is.

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

Who supplied the grant money? And who worked to set up this grant? Did it pay for registration fee or travel costs? It is a good idea, but it takes someone doing a lot of work to find a sponsor willing to foot the bill. Which isn't easy.


Also, if the team who won the regional has already prepaid and registered for the Championship (which many do who are pre-qualified) would they get their money refunded?

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

The money was provided by the Annenburg foundation, and set up through the LA Regional committee, if I remember correctly. It paid for registration fees, with the requirement that the team write a report/letter afterwards about how it helped each team. I don't remember the exact terms if a team had already prequalified.

Again, this would be something nice, but I can't see FIRST taking on that role. It would have to be through arrangements with private donors. In any case, such money (if there is any) should be directed towards science education or furthering the team's work in FIRST.

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

FIRST shouldn't be about the money, it should be about inspiring us in careers in the fields of science and technology. If you give money to the winners then the teams with less of a financial get worse and the teams with more money win more and then have more money to test better robots.

Re: FIRST $CASH$ prize...
 

from many requests, people seem to think that this has got out of hand.

so this thread is closed for now


any questions or comments please PM me