[gblake]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

I don't speak for FiM, however, I suspect part of the reason for the lack of overlap is this: FTC has often been pegged as a low-cost alternative to FRC for schools where funding is limited, ...

Do you realize that you are making a great case (That's good! - I think it is - Isn't it?) for having more FTC teams (instead of FRC teams), and not fewer? Maybe you do/did intend to do that???

Combine what you wrote with the reasonable assertions that:

1. More (way more) students per dollar are directly exposed to hands-on "STEM" in typical FTC teams, than are in typical FRC teams; and
2. The people of the great state of Michigan would like to get the biggest bang-for-the-buck out of their tax dollars; and
3. FTC is a program FIRST aims at HS students and some MS students; and
4. FIRST's goal/role isn't converting students into already-trained STEM professionals during grade school, and is instead inspiring the on-the-fence and non-STEM students to switch to choosing to try a STEM field for their future.

When/if you do this, telling high schools that the FIRST FTC program is off-the-table; is at best, an odd (and changeable) thing to do.

Perhaps there is some other compelling, fiscally-sound, student-focused motivation at work? If there is, someone please post it.

Blake
PS: To stay on-topic, I think the same arguments hold true if you substitute FLL for FTC, FTC for FRC, and you shift the student age ranges appropiately.