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Hey 842!
Looking forward to hearing about the experience and what you've learned this year!

Jane

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Glad you liked the movie, I though you would!

Also on the ride home today Steven and Gary and I figured out some neat ideas for the NURC, and we also talked about two of us going up to Vegas this Saturday to see the regional. We'll see if mom will let us go

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If you go, we will share the hotel room with you! Save some bucks, The rooms are already paid for!

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If you go, we will share the hotel room with you! Save some bucks, The rooms are already paid for!

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We are still debriefing....
Overall, it had some similarities, and some differences. It was again a great experiences for the girls and the guys were even more eager for the girls to have this opportunity. They made it to the semifinals! They improved the bot as well. More later.....

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sorry I duplicated

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I'd definitely recommend making the trip down. You'll get to see some of the finest Overdrive east of Hawai'i and west of Michigan :P Moreover, the more often I look at the list of teams, the stronger it seems. There will be some powerful shooters and arm-bots on display, for what could either end up as a very exciting (if robots live up to expectations) or a somewhat boring (LA-like, I guess) elimination rounds.

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I hope debriefing also includes - getting some rest and eating ice cream.

Semi-finals rock! :)

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We go to Vegas this weekend, Ice cream sounds good!

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I really find this idea interesting. But to ask a question... Do you ever do a "Leave the Girls at home" trip? I realize it's a nice idea to support affirmative action, but in order to truly promote balance and equality, you need to apply both...

By celebrating differences, and requiring an administrative level action to bring girls into the experience, you're acknowledging the differences, and conditioning the youth that affirmative action is the way that they'll move forward. I realize this topic has been beaten to death in last year's iteration of this, but I really can't stop myself from asking.

So was there a male only trip? And if not, why?

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The whole point of affirmative action is that it counteracts the existing imbalance and inequality. In a perfect world there would be no need to leave the boys at home for one competition, but we don't live in that world (yet).

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ahhh.. this explains it all i was wondering why there was 2 all girls team at LA this year. you guys were awsome and it was fun competing with you guys.

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I’m reluctant to weigh in on this, but here goes.

I understand the concerns of the posters who worry that we are selecting drivers and such by gender rather than ability. It would certainly put a team at a disadvantage, and on the surface, seem unfair to those with greater ability. But….

1. We really do want to “change the culture” and while it seems a little Pollyannaish, we rally have seen a profound effect on our school, state (and a bit of influence nationally and internationally) so a little social experimenting which may demonstrate how to include more underrepresented minorities in STEM activities seem to be warranted.
2. Because of the fantastic backing of the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, we will be going to 4 competitions. Taking the same students to all four events means a lot of school would be missed, so most kids will go to 2 or 3 events.
3. No professional team plays just it’s beat players all the time. A five member basketball team is always moving players in and out as well as having even their best performers “sitting out” a game or two. FIRST Robotics is no different for us. We have always shuffled our driving team. That way even sophomores can gain experience even though the seniors may be the best. We are always looking ahead a year or two.
4. We did not field the school’s girls team. We do not have a girls team. We have the Carl Hayden High School Falcon Robotics team. Last weekend, the coaches only fielded the girls. We don’t have two teams. Last week’s team did an excellent job and made it as far as the semifinals before being beaten by an unbeatable (at least in L.A.) alliance.
5. The girls were getting better every match. Experience enhances ability. That’s why we sometimes play sophomores and juniors and let the seniors sit out a match or three. To do otherwise, would be short changing those with potential, but little experience.
6. The girls have learned a lot. The boys have learned a lot. I have learned a lot. We have demonstrated that when the women are placed in the same environment and allowed to gain experience, at least this time, the results are similar.
7. We plan to have a more comprehensive report at the end of the season.
8. If we can get the funding, we want to do this again next year.

We realize this is just our philosophy and there are many other fantastic ways to run a team. After all, we need to inspire everyone, especially those who need a little more encouragement.

Allan

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I haven't read the whole thread but part of it and the first one and have to say, unless every single guy on the team agrees to not going or all the guys go to a regional of their own than this just doesn't sit right with me. I think it would be better to get a full team involvement throughout the season. We have about eight girls on our team and each of them had some part in building this robot, and although almost all of them scout at the competition that is because all of them are first our second yearers and have decided that's what they feel best at. If these girls want to be more involved members of the team I don't see what is stoping them from doing that throughout the season. Last year one of our senior girls on the team was a build leader and she did a phenominal job at managing a lot of the guys and seeing our appendage from last year to completion. I think that if you encourage these girls to go for what they want to do througout the season it would be a much better way of handling things.

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On our team, that doesn't seem to be enough to get the girls as fully involved as the boys...and I think the same is true with 842's team. I don't know why that is the case, but it does seem to be a fact of life.