Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Last year was our teams rookie year, our team was based out of one high school, but we had one or two students from a neighboring high school. This neighboring high school, has started their own team this year. Is there any rule against having students from this other school on our team?

I know this is against the rules for the BEST Robotics Competition, but I wasn't sure about FIRST.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Multi-school teams are quite common--I can think of at least two off the top of my head (294 and 365).

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Add 364 as well... 4 schools and 1 home schooled student with about 25 members.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

We pull kids from about six schools, as I recall. We've also had students on our team that attended schools that had FIRST teams of their own -- which I think speaks more directly to your situation. Nobody seemed to mind; nor should they mind.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

I remember that one of our members a few years ago was from one of the schools that runs 294. Nobody minded.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Yea, we have a student from a school that has a team, but she likes our team better, but we've trained her little brother, and he will be on the other team. I've been thinking of trying to start a team at our high school, but I don't think there would be enough students that would be involved, plus to get the money to run a FIRST team in my community would be very difficult because of the economy of the area is still struggling due to Hurricane Katrina. Team Fusion is all right though; we still have plenty of funding from NASA, Dupont, and many more.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

The team I graduated from (303) had three schools involved at one point.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

This part of the inquiry caught my eye. If it involves a newly formed rookie team, you want to make sure all systems are go for the rookie team and for yours as well, Richard. My suggestion is that you contact FIRST directly with your questions.

Yay! New teams in the Austin area rock! woohoo!

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

I agree with Jane. You should contact FIRST directly for guidance on this.

You (and someone from the rookie team) might also want to read the 2008 FRC Rookie Team Criteria.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

The concern FIRST will have here is whether or not the new team is truly a rookie team, or is a split from your current team. If the team members that were on your team last year stay with your team, that will help the other team in maintaining rookie status. Your lead mentor or theirs should probably contact FIRST to clarify the situation.

One thing not brought up yet, there is a new rule this year that no student may be on more than one team. If the other school is listed in both team names, you may want to reassure FIRST that the team members are separate.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

As has been said above, as long as you don't have students participating on multiple teams, you should be fine.

172 has been formed around multiple schools ever since it was founded. Although the team has always been "based" in Gorham, we have partnered with Westbrook, Bonny Eagle, Windham, Portland, Falmouth, and many other local towns at some point in our existence. Especially for interested students who don't have a program available locally, we've made a point of welcoming anyone in Southern Maine that wishes to participate. I hope that other teams have made a practice of doing the same in their areas. There's no better promotion for FIRST than allowing students to experience it first hand.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Yup. 294 is predominately two schools; but they also have students from multiple other local high schools, probably 6-8 over the years.

Also, 294, 330, 207? and several other (now nonexistent) teams were once team before growing too large.


The only issue we have had is that no school really wants to claim the team as their own and give much support. Although, one school does provide a workspace and is n ow more recently providing some support. So, anything can happen.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

This e-mail blast from FIRST offers the best guidance on this topic. Multiple teams from within one school or organization are explicitly allowed. Individual students can only be on one team. Teams made up from multiple schools or organizations have always been permitted. So as long as your team and the new rookie team act within those guidelines, you should be fine.

-dave

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

1103 currently has students from three schools, plus 2 home schooled students.

Re: Are there any rules about having multiple schools on a team?
 

Team 104 consists of students from 3 high schools in the same school district. If we considered bringing in students from outside the school district , that is something that would have to be brought up for administative review. I have no idea how they would respond.