[MrJohnston]

There is also a huge value in having to make a difficult deadline. The six week time period is very short and every team knows it. Teams then have to evaluate their ideas and determine which ones are the most important and attainable before the deadline. Moreover, it forces them to operate under stress - all the while trying to maintain gracious professionalism.

Frankly, learning the teamwork and leadership required to build a robot under those conditions is more valuable than the technical skills acquired.