So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

If you say competition, can you be specific?

Sooooo, its my absolute FIRST year in FIRST.
I CAD, I PR, and I stare in amazement at FAB (I don't think I will ever attempt direct manipulation of the robot. People will get hurt).

So, sitting here on Christmas at a relative's computer (which I can't CAD on) I'm pretty much trolling CD. I don't know what to expect from the seasonn, so anyone want to share experiences?

You know you want to take a break from guessing what hint #1 means...
^_^

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

My favorite part is the regionals, expecially now that I'm volunteering and work as field reset. Being apart of the inner workings of maintaining the field has to be the most fun I have had since I graduated and moved on from being on a team.

Even vacuming the field is loads of fun.

The other part, and main reason why I love working on the field is being so close to the game itself. I've got that dream to one day work on the GDC, so being so close to the game that I'm walking though it just has some sort of magical quality to me.

I find that it's the little things that are the best part of FIRST.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

The regionals. Design is fun and strategy is fun to work out and feel all clever about for 5 minutes before you realize everyone in America thought of it too. Build is great in that "wow, we have no time, no resources, and no limits!" way. But competition throws everything you did out the window and is all about intensity and execution.

In particular, the eliminations are where the magic happens. Here's who you're stuck with, for better or worse - now you have to make it happen.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

The build time is the most fun for me. It is when my skills are put to the test and programming in general is fun. I get to present ideas and then put them into action.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

My personal favorite aspect of FRC and FIRST in general is the relationships you build over the years at the various events. If your team routinely goes to one or more regionals every year, you begin to see the same faces and make many friends from all over. Even now I still keep in touch with many of the people I met back when I was a freshman and continue to meet even more people as I continue to be involved.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I love the events. I'm on the pit crew, so I spend a lot of time working with my own team on the robot (err...unfortunately) and such. But working in the pit is also fun in terms of working with other teams - you become pretty good neighbors with the teams next to you and you can see what everyone's working on.

Another fun part of the competitions is cheering. Hopefully your team likes to cheer and dance, because it's super fun if you get into it (and you can meet people from other teams :D ).

So it's really the social aspect that makes it such a great experience for me (at competitions, and also on Facebook and Twitter). Building robots is fun and educational and all, but it's even more fun with friends.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

mostly, all of it. ;)


*suprised noone else wrote that.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Messing around with the game piece is usually rather fun. The giant trackballs of 2008 were great.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I personally have found that some of my favorite memories come from the build season late at night.

ps. Once every year at the end of the season deeeeep in the bowls of Christler late at night we use all the magic smoke we've collected over the year and make the robot fly!

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

It's tough to pick one, each element of FRC has it's special moments. The friendships I've made with people on other teams (Esp. 1126) will always be important to me. It's so cool to be able to compete with/against some of your best friends.

During build season, I'll echo what other have said that the late night/early morning meetings always turn out to be the most fun. I think I've spent more time at our High School for robotics meetings then I did when I was going to class there.

At competition, Alliance Selections is the most adrenaline packed 20mins for me. It's a fascinating part of our competition.

Also you will always remember your first time at Championship.

You will have a great time this year and after you should bump this thread and tell us what your favorite parts were.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Probably the competition, but since so many people are saying that I'm going to say the kickoff. Each year, our five local teams meet at Caterpillar and watch the webcast. After an hour of all the important FIRST people talking, the game is finally revealed. Our team goes back to ATS, our sponsor's building, watches the game animation over and over (by the end of the day I have practically memorized the animation), and starts to concept. Then, for the next six weeks I care about one thing and one thing only: FIRST.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Second that. Some of the quotes are the best.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Teehee, I take it that you like meeting other teams? I think I already like that [: As for cheering: PR(mostly girl-led) is trying to get everyone to wear red spandex and blue shorts...

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Watching what the team learned during build season being exercised in less time than needed at a regional.
The regionals offer so many oppurtunities to prove to yourself that you learned something.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Do it. I doubt they will tell you that your CAD is wrong and can't be used.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I love it. It's gotten to the point where 50% of the people I talk to monthly are people that I know through FIRST, 75% on a daily basis. It's cool. FIRST people are so cool.

Do it. "If the CAD guys will do it, nobody else (except maybe the programmers) will complain about doing it." And think about how awesome that will look.

(my team is huge on imagery/spirit, so I'm probably not the greatest person to ask "should all of us do x, y and z?", because I will say yes without much thought, regardless of how silly it may be)

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

‎A quote from the Killer Bees lead mentor and drive coach and programmer.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I really like a part that not a whole lot get to see and that is the debate in the judging room. It's a fascinating process to experience, especially at CMP when you have around 100 of the best judges from around the country in a single room debating which team is the best candidate for an award.

Second favorite part is talking with people outside of FIRST about it. Being a salesperson is great when you are selling a great product.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I have to agree with everyone with the late night build season days. Although, my favorite times are definitely during competition and during matches. Just hearing my team scream excitement and cheering the drive team on is one experience I can't explain.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Late nights, a few good humored people dr. Pepper, CAD and some sleep deprevation always makes it fun

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Before you start getting super excited about being sleep deprived for two or three months...I suggest reading this thread started by Jane. We don't want to lose you to sickness, especially since it's your first season! (I know - I was sick for the first two weeks of build season my first year, and though it wasn't from overwork or sleep deprivation, it definitely wasn't fun)

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I love meeting people. I enjoy everything about FIRST, programming, the regionals, the partying, but the best part of it is meeting people.

Going to competitons is awesome because not only are you competing (which is just alright;) ) but because you get to meet great people who share the love of what you do, and you get a break from your team ;) .

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I think the part of FIRST I like the best is not an 'event' but rather a concept. Woody's introduction of Gracious Professionalism is the best part of the whole operation. My translation is that we want everyone to do well and will help them do the best they can. We just want to do a little better.

Also, I enjoy watching the young freshmen, some of them very shy, grow and become sure of themselves as the years pass. But that's just me.:)

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I like mostly all of it.

I especially like the seconds before you get the game because those clues are still going thought your head and then you get the game and your either say "what does the clue have to do with that" or "ohhhh why didn't i think of that"

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

The kickoff event and the first few days or so afterward are my favorite, that's when the most puzzling and brain scratching happens. Oh, and the next week or so when I get to dream about fun mechanical designs and build methods in my head all day. Seeing the team's work all come together into a working robot is my favorite part, too.

Nothing beats going to a competition though.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Each year I find something new that is my favorite. I think that it really depends on how long you have been involved in the program and what your role is.

My first year, as a senior in high school, my favorite times were hanging out and building late at night towards the end of build season. I found that was when everyone got super silly and the main crew on the team would bond over stupid jokes and too much caffeine.

About five years later my favorite part of FRC became working with the students that I mentored...realizing that I was becoming someone that they could go to with issues in their lives and helping them grow. It was also a great time of growth for me: helping me become a better person and a more responsible adult.

Last year (8 years into participating in FIRST), my favorite part was meeting so many new people from other teams. I was lucky enough to have a friend walk around with me at the Championship event and introduce me to many of her friends. After that, I became much more confident at reaching out to other teams on my own.

This year, the thing that I am looking forward to the most is seeing all of the awesome people that I've met over the years, along with hanging out with my best friends on my own team, and working with my students (they never fail to make me laugh).

In summary: FIRST rocks.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

My favorite part is that I always get to learn and try new things, and then see how they work in the "real world."

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Being able to think and not being ridiculed or judged because I do.

Many smart children dumb themselves down because smart is not cool in many circles. Over the years, I've spoken with teachers from many schools who fight the peer pressure to dumb down and who continue to strengthen their resolve to increase the desire to learn and explore in their classrooms and on their FIRST teams. Being smart is cool. Problem-solving is cool. Thinking is powerful and empowering.

There are many people in FIRST/FRC who enjoy thinking and celebrate its results. I love that.

Jane

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I would say those moments after you finish a late-night build session and you just start talking about things in life and experiences and what not. Or ship-night at midnight and we secure the last screw and we can finally breathe and sit down to relax. I would also say regionals because you meet new people that love FIRST just like you and you meet mentors and people that help you left and right. And those moments when a team member gets an idea, we use it, and then it succeeds. Their face is priceless after that happens.




So pretty much all of it. ;D

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

for me the best parts of FRC are driving for my team @ competition, and scouting.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

It was working closely and getting really tight with the kids. (Anyone under 40 is a kid.) We shared victories, disappointments and a lot of hard work. There were some absolutely hilarious moments here and there that I will never forget.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

Refereeing. As Ref Webb says, "It's the best seat in the house." (Although we seldom get to sit down ...)

I get to see all the matches, work with the drive teams and the field volunteers, and see all the wondrous robot designs in action.

Plus, it keeps my brain active, as we try to stay one thought ahead of some of the brightest loop-hole generators in the world ... :rolleyes:

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

I love scouting.....in freshman year I was recruited because we had a tiny team and there was no-one to scout. I got SO hooked on it that year.
This year I'm doing a lot besides scout [unofficial team leader, lead programmer, PR, fundraising] but I still have such great memories from scouting.
Being often the only scout meant that I would spend every second of competition in the stands, taking notes on every team out there....last year I pretty much knew every team's abilities by the end of the first day [or flattered myself that I did]. And of course I'm also the one responsible for promoting our team to others in the pits, which is lots of fun [meeting amazing geeky people].

Meeting other people at regionals is awesome. Last year we started talking with another team in the lobby of our hotel room late at night, and wound up being really great friends with them....we were later winning alliance partners at an off-season event, I went with them to Championships as team videographer, etc. They're from another school in our town, and it's fabulous to really be part of a community.

And I'm surprised no-one's mentioned Chief Delphi ;) It is such a great support network for the new, the confused, the seasoned, the worried, and the ecstatic.

Oh and giving the pitch to people who've never heard of FIRST [I did a lot of that this year for fundraising...heh].

The chance to work with people in other branches of FIRST, too.....this year I started and coached some FLL teams and that was loads of fun. So exciting to see young kids getting started on the path to FRC and, ultimately, engineering, technology and science. I'm going to try to get some of the older kids to come to our regional this year...they are VERY enthused about that.



I don't know how many times I've written the phrase, to a friend or posted on Facebook, 'I <3 FIRST'. Welcome to the craziest experience of your life.

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

The People.

I'm almost certain that I've seen a quote somewhere along the lines of "I came for the robots, but I stayed for the people."

Re: So, what's your favorite part of FRC?
 

My favorite part of FRC is hands down the camaraderie that is built between students, mentors, and parents. I have made some lifelong friends because of robotics, some of my friends just because of this past year of FIRST. We share bonds that are stronger than my other non robotics friends. I've shared some of my favorite moments with fellow team members, whether it was just some antic at 10:00pm on a February night or whether it was seeing all of our hard work pay off in Ann Arbor. The strategy, the planning, the build, and the competitions are all awesome, but it's those little emotional moments that happen along the way that make FRC what it is.