I speak from an unusual standpoint.
I started FRC (yes, FRC) when I was in
7th grade. During the same year, I was in the school's Lego robotics class. As such, I had a chance to work with both FRC and "FLL" in the same year. This being said, I think that there is *nothing* wrong with younger students on an FRC team. Lego is beneficial, but there comes a point at which a student grows out of it.
I was actually at the Israel Regional in 2010, as a freshman, and (while Yarden can attest it was a huge fiasco that most FRCers don't know about) I noticed that about 10% or so of the students there were also in 9th grade, though I am probably off by 2 or 3 percent, either way.
I suggest that you organize a way to bring your principle to the Nokia Center for the 2012 regional. It is amazing how much going to an FRC event can change an administrator's standpoint on robotics.
Apart from that, I think Eric H's suggestion is the best yet. It will sound like an attractive idea to your principle because it is not definitive. It allows for one year of trial before deciding either way.
Quote:
1) Currently, only 2 FLL teams can be fielded (20 slots). Reserve some of the slots for 9th graders.
2) Allow a limited number of 9th graders on the FRC team for one year as a trial basis.
3) Concurrently with 2, allow 9th graders in FLL. They get to choose which level they're at--barring age issues, of course. (Some of them should be in both, ideally.)
After the one year, re-evaluate. Get input from the 9th graders at both levels on what they liked and disliked. At that point, you can:
-increase FLL support to add a third team
-allow 9th graders in FRC on a more permanent basis
-assign 9th graders to mentor FLL teams
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With that being said,
בהצלחה!!