[PayneTrain]

FIRST seems to be evolving to look like a lot of things in life, to the point where I can introduce a metaphor that will elicit groans and confusion, but will satisfy me and maybe a few others.

The James River runs through Richmond, VA and some of the topography of the land allows for a number of "watering hole" public parks to spring up and thrive around it. One of the most popular is Belle Isle. It offers a varietry of activities from walking trails to laying out in the sun all the way up to jumping between the rapids and of the dam and jumping off of the very high-hanging pedestrian bridge into the water below. FRC is becoming like the island.

With the smaller dimensions and the kind of game available to play, in addition to the growing district system allows for teams of all shapes, sizes, interests, and goals to get as much out of the program as possible. The game this year allowed for average teams to compete at a high level if they wanted to, as evidenced by results at a lot of events. Still, the best teams were able to dive into the real beauty and complexity of this year's task: the dimensions were so small, a lot of teams simplified, but the best teams packed as much power as they usually do in the smaller footprint. The objectives in the competition were so starkly different and presented such unique challenges, average teams committed to building great, simple mechanisms while powerhouses could manage to pull off both challenges with elegance.

With districts, teams can elect what mountain they wish to climb. If they are just in it for the matches at the qualifier level, so be it. If they want to make the big stage, they can push themselves mechanically, financially, and strategically to reach a goal far more attainable than a lucky draw in to CMP at the average regional event.

I also think FTC will grow at a rate faster than FRC as HQ and the global board of directors (in addition to local boards) are not identifying FTC as merely feeders or intermediaries, but programs primarily designed to positively affect the students involved. FRC is clearly transitioning to not only being about the team, but acting as an agent of change, which is a trend that will likely continue. FTC programs will catch on at the middle school level more, and FTC will have a bigger presence at CMP in the future.

I hope and expect FIRST to continue building the positive trends that are already established this season.