[tr6scott]

I came up to FRC through FLL in Michigan.

As far as I know, (Mainly through emails from FiM) all of the grant money provided from the state are funneled through the public schools.

When I coached and we competed in FLL, the team was funded by 3 families, although we were associated with the elementary school, the school and district did not provide any funding, or meeting space for the team.

Contrary to what Tom said, I am not sure we could have funded an FTC team, at that time. We were putting about a $1,000 per family in the budget to do FLL, travel and compete. Not sure how much more we could afford to put to robot materials, motors, gears, ect that the FTC required. (Back then FTC wasn't an option, it didn't exist)

Back then (2005-2008) there were many home schooled teams and community teams from 4-H and Girl Scouts that were doing FLL. Teams not associated with school districts, therefore not able to get any of the grant funding. (My take, not fact, just my impression.. citation needed)

Many times these non-school teams were some of the most competitive teams. I tried to look up the Michigan state champions in FLL, but could not find a listing. In the times we competed, I am pretty sure there were home school teams that were state champs. Seems like forcing these teams with no access to the grant money, to step up to FTC, or FRC, is counter productive to the mission of FIRST.

I know our team placed 2nd in 2008 in the Novi State Championship. (Michigan has two FLL state championships) I am pretty sure, (memory defective) we lost to a home schooled team. This year we had 3 middle schooled aged students on a team of 6. FLL is a progression, a process to go from a rookie, to almost a state champ, and it was a 4 year process for us. It was student focused, and the students solved the problems over the years. They were not bored, in fact they were more engaged the last year, because they understood the game (hint: It's all about cycle time) and what needed to be done to win.

(and in Michigan 2nd place in FLL, did not get you Championships)