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Originally Posted by F Elliott
Hi Everyone!
By day, I am an AP Physics teacher. This year I started a FIRST FTC team at my current school as an after school activity. It was a phenomenally fantastic experience for all of us. I'm hooked!
I may be going to a different school next fall (urban, Title I, at-risk...). Part of the appeal is they are extremely interested in starting a robotics program. They've already identified $7000 in grants they're confident they can get and they're asking "what more do we need to do". Their enthusiasm is high and they're serious.
They applied for and received approval for a PLTW Program in Biomedical Science starting in 2015-2016 school year. If I join their team, they want to add the Engineering component to their PLTW program (I am dual certified to teach engineering and related subjects). As you may know, the VEX Robotics Design System is the exclusive robotics platform offered to PLTW schools. In addition, every PLTW classroom has access to participate in the VEX Robotics Competitions.
I like the continuity of the FIRST FLL-->FTC progression. Their middle schools would benefit immensely from FLL. I also doubt they would ever have an FRC team so the VEX-->FRC benefits I've heard FRC coaches talk about would not be a big win. However, being able to leverage PLTW funding and resources cannot be ignored.
What would you do? FIRST only? VEX only? Both?
Many thanks!
What would you do?
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I have a tad bit experience in VEX and enough in FIRST. I went from FLL--> FTC--->FRC & FTC. If you spend your time in FLL correctly then FTC becomes very easy and you begin to have a much better chance of doing well. Then if you have students properly work in FTC. Then FRC becomes an achievable challenge. Now when I say "properly spent time in" I mean that whenever students are in FLL they must begin to use sensors! I mentor 3 different teams and once you begin to use sensors and those kids go FTC it makes it much easier on them. Same with FTC if they start to CAD and think outside the box. They will have a great time in FRC.
Personally I would stay in FTC if you do have access to lots of cash because it does get expensive. (We spent $1000 dollars on parts this year alone, but we started 2 new team including an all girls team). If you are little short on Cash VEX is the way to go! I hear of teams spending $1000 over 3 seasons!
I Particpate in both FTC and FRC so if you would like to talk more you are welcomed to DM me and we can set up something so that maybe you could come down and see our program and see exactly how our continuity works.