[Denise Bohnsack]

Reading through this thread I see some think that there are too many teams attending with not enough time for play, the robots are not as qualified, and the money is too much for 8 matches. I also see comments that FIRST is about inspiring students so none of the above matter.

Here is just a thought based on my experience from many years ago when my son was a student and not the active volunteer alumni he is now. His rookie team had no chance to go to championship. The robot did not perform well and even if it had the money would have not had been there for the team to go.So to attend the World championship in Atlanta, I took off work, I took him out of school and we went on our own.The ultimate road trip. It was a life changing experience and perhaps a more valuable experience than some of the times we attended with a team with a robot later. In Atlanta, my son attended NEMO workshops, visited pits, met mentors and students, and just took the whole championship experience in. (When attending as a contender, it is easy to be so focused on a robot, there is so much that is missed.) I suggest that certain deserving teams go as a smaller contingency, purely as a learning experience, with their most involved student leaders and do the same thing. Perhaps FIRST can deem them a special name, such as Inspire Teams, which does not qualify them for robot matches, but as a group to go for the learning experience and opportunity. Since it is a smaller group without a robot, charge a smaller amount, say $2000 that includes workshops, conferences, special meetings, a tour of the Hall of Fame, meet and greet with FIRST special guests and so on. Since FIRST is about INSPIRING students, this seems a perfect solution for both the arguments above. Less robots, but more learning opportunities on how to be a better team. If adding to the financial bottom line is important for the FIRST budget, smaller teams consisting of leaders attending but still paying for the experience at a lesser price, addresses that situation as well.

My son was also given the blessing of being asked to attend with other local teams who qualified and I continue to be grateful to those mentors/teachers with those teams who made it possible. I am also grateful to the NEMO folks, who provided workshops on how to be a successful team. Restricting less "elite" teams from attending would keep younger teams from learning how to become an "elite" experienced team. Having the opportunity to learn from those teams - PRICELESS. There is a great solution here for all parties here somewhere. Oh, as a side note, later teams my son was involved with did go to World championship after learning the ropes from experienced teams and workshops at the World championship. That's how it is suppose to work, right?
And the finale party in Atlanta was purely fun and inspiring with the wonderful location with lots of room for everybody and fireworks. It may not be doable in St. Louis, perhaps because of the logistics and weather, but it is what everyone misses. Is Forest Park too far away? Or can that park mall avenue with all the fountains and statues in front of the capitol be roped off? Could fireworks light up over the arch like they do on the 4th? Just some thoughts. Thanks for all the hard work. It is an enormous effort I know, and hard to find some solutions with so many folks to consider. Over all, great job! Again, an amazing experience!