[MattRain]

I do NOT want this to be a change that FIRST implement's. I understand that this "may" be a "good" model for FiM. But it would not work in many areas of the United States.

I am a mentor and alumni of both FTC and FRC. I have knowledge of both sides.

1. Money

The amount of money that it takes to run an FRC team is through the roof for a lot of schools, including the highschool that I work at. I have spent years trying to get a budget from the school that would allow us to sit comfortably, while still having to go to sponsors to fund the rest needed. Trust me when I say, that amount of money is no where near the amount it takes to run a FRC team. I know how much it take to run a FRC team, as I mentor one.

2. Experience

While I was student in High school, I personally learned more about robotics from my FTC team. Students learn differently. We all know that. I personally learned better in a small group setting than a big setting like FRC. It can all depends on how a team is run, so I understand that a better, more well funded FRC team may allow students to learn more, but when you come from an area that is harder to fund, or don't have the right resources, it changes.

3. Middle School teams Vs High school teams

I don't see a problem here at all. We have a few middle school teams located here in AZ, and some of them were good, if not better than half of the Highschool teams here. I fell that it really depends on the type of kids that you have on the team. Ones that are more active and really want to compete, will build something that is ready to compete with the Highschool teams. I saw a few designs from Middle School students that I never thought of.

FTC and FRC both have their strengths and weakness.

If FIRST was to implement the FiM model into the actual rules, then I would have a hard time with following those rules. I feel that there would be a huge uproar from my state. Most of the AZ FTC teams would disappear too.