Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

After looking at this http://www.firstinmichigan.org/filem...on%20FINAL.pdf i am alittle surprized at the cass tech expenses and wondering what the plans are for the fields.

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

I would guess that the plan is the same as what FIRST does with their fields...hang onto them in storage(somewhere), and retrofit them for next year...

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

Excellent presentation on FiM.

Regarding to the requirement for teams to provide volunteers - It would be nice if teams could fulfill their requirement by providing volunteers at district events where we are NOT participating. Is there anything that would prevent us from doing that in addition to the requirement?

The NC Gears are big fans of FiM. Having the chance to play a lot of matches at several events was very helpful in building our sense of team spirit and motivating the students to take our team to the next level (hey, we even have a website now!). I can't imagine going back to the old system, and I hope that everyone has the same opportunity in the future.

As mentioned in earlier posts, so much of what is good about the FiM model (bagging, 2-day events, smaller & more numerous venues, more matches per event, etc.) could be applied to the rest of FIRST even without a regional structure or "championship" event. If people want fairness, try to achieve it by raising the standard for all, not restricting those who have found a better way.

Thanks again to all those who made this possible.

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

Wow! I did not realize FiM saved so much money. IIRC, a traditional regional costs about $200K (is this figure right?). If so, all 7 FiM events cost less than 1 regional...

Which means FiM reduces the cost per match by close to a factor of 10!? :eek:

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

Actually i would imagine one of the fields used for local off season events. Now the other one could be placed in one of our many empty factories and open to the public(teams) on saturdays for open play. Charge alittle to raise money for FiM,add a snackbar and some laser tag or sometthing. Put it somewhere central to all teams and add new fields each year. Welcome to FiM Land.

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

I think FiM is great. All of this nonsense about fairness is just that, nonsense. For example, if the intent of FiM was to make Michigan teams better than out of state teams, with the same rules but a different goal, that would be unfair. Seeing as how that is not the goal, the goal is to be able to spread FIRST to more high schools, it seems to me that FiM is plenty fair.

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

From what I understand, that was the plan all along. Take 3 regionals and do 7 districts and a championship for less than the cost of 2 regionals.

This is one of those success metrics by design. They designed the districts to cost less, delivered on their design, and thus met their metric. Similar with number of matches played and several other "metrics" . See an issue, measure it, analyze it, design a solution, do the analysis, get approval from management to implement solution, verify solution meets objectives. This process sounds oddly familiar.....

FiM good job meeting designed in metrics. With some fine tuning, and a few changes, it could, maybe, just might work...

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

To comment on the the teams on Einstien, 67 was dominate fro mthe start they didnt need all the extra events to prove how good they were. The same for 217. They were both there last year two, so that just proves the quailty of machines and pratice outside of the events. Also they played on Einstien, agasint each other in 2005. And 217 was on Einstien in 2006. So really you can say they extra events really helped either team, seeing their succes from last 5 years.

If you would like to know how the other two teams got there, you probably would ahve to ask Paul, why he went after an all Michigan Allaince.

I don't remember where I heard this, I think it was at Cass Tech from a member of 33. It was that FiM was inthe works aournd the begining of the 2008 season, when there was projections that michigan wasn't gonig to be able to hold its usual 3 events. That and the opportunties to get some teams more playing time.

All in all, this system is great! We took a poll from all our vetern members and they say that this has been the best year ever. They enjoyed the smaller venues and more opportunties to show our stuff. I hope that other states could join in (Califorina, Minnasota, New England), and certian exceptions could be made for teams having to travel 14 hours (857 I beleive for Hougton).

Thanks to all Gail Albert and all of FiM Personal:)

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

Here's a good question: Would it have been fair to all of the Michigan teams if the pilot flopped and everyone got cheated out of an inspiring FIRST season?

There is a lot to be said about risk and reward. Doing this pilot program was a big risk for all of Michigan. It's nice to see that there was a little reward to go along with that risk.

Re: FIRST in Michigan Thoughts/Impressions
 

Personally, I will admit I was not a fan of the fim program at the beginning of the season, but as it went on I began to like it more and more. I wouldn't say its not fair to other teams because if you think about it teams are aloud to go to as many regionals as they want, and have money for, and there's no one saying that those teams aren't being fair. I think that fim really prepares teams for the season ans eventually for nationals. Speaking from a team that does not have the materials to practice outside of the regionals, I think that it gives the drivers the practice they need to become world class teams. I also think that the state competition really repaired teams for what to expect in Atlanta. now on top of all these opportunities, It saves so much money, with the economy is looking worse and worse, this gives Michigan teams the hope that next year they will still be around, and that's very comforting especially to the students first impacts so strongly. I am not saying it is perfect yet, there are some changes that can be made for the better, but I really have no complaints about the programs. fim ran quite smoothly in its first season, and as far as other states go, I have heard a lot of talk about teams wanting it in their area.

Thats just my opinion as a 3 year student from Michigan